Venous thromboembolism is defined as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, i.e. the tendency to develop clots that can have life-threatening consequences.

This is why prevention is so important. Methods of prophylaxis mainly depend on the characteristics of the patient, i.e. co-morbidities, risk of thrombosis or risk of bleeding.

Prophylaxis methods include pharmacological treatment - using oral anticoagulants (acenocoumarol, warfarin) and injectable (heparin). Prophylaxis also includes mechanical methods: elastic stockings with graduated compression and an intermittent pneumatic compression device, which facilitates the outflow of venous blood from the lower limbs.

There are several groups of patients in whom attention should be paid to thrombosis prophylaxis.

One is patients undergoing surgery: prophylaxis is usually started a few days before or a few hours after surgery. It usually continues until the patient is fully mobilised or for about two weeks for orthopaedic surgery. The exception is patients after endoprosthesis insertion or abdominal surgery, in which case prophylaxis continues after the patient has been discharged from hospital for several weeks.

The second group is cancer patients. The risk of thrombosis in oncology patients is up to six times higher. This is particularly true for patients with tumours of the gastrointestinal tract, brain, lung and haematopoietic system.

Prevention is also extremely important for pregnant women, a group at high risk of pulmonary embolism. The primary drug in such cases is heparin; oral medications are contraindicated.