Every year, thousands of Australians develop thrombosis, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
Among the causes of DVT are:
- being in bed for long periods, such as when in hospital
- being inactive and sitting in a cramped position, such as during a long flight
- having recent major surgery
- having an injury, such as a fracture
- having a major illness such as cancer, heart failure or a serious infection
- taking the oral contraceptive pill or hormone replacement therapy containing oestrogen.
The HealthPathways team has recently updated the pathways for DVT and PE along with the pathway for Anticoagulation Therapy for DVT and PE.
HealthPathways Clinical Editor Dr Kate Allan said the updates bring the pathways into line with the THANZ Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Venous Thromboembolism.
Key to those guidelines are the recommended treatments.
‘In most cases direct oral anticoagulants are now preferred over the use of Warfarin,’ Dr Allan said.
‘It also depends on whether the DVT or PE was provoked or unprovoked or was caused by a transient or non-transient risk factor that guides how long a patient should be treated with anticoagulant.’
For more information, including on assessment, management and referral, click on the links above to visit the DVT, PE, and Anticoagulation Therapy for DVT and PE pathways.
Mid and North Coast Localised Pathways
manc.communityhealthpathways.org
Username: manchealth
Password: conn3ct3d