Venous thromboembolism (VTE): deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Current Care Summary
Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Cardiac Society
22.2.2016

Key recommendations in management of VTE include prompt and systematic diagnostics based on clinical probability, D-dimer testing and imaging studies, and individualized antithrombotic treatment. Outpatient management is encouraged for patients with favourable prognosis. Interventions such as thrombolysis, venous stenting and inferior vena cava filters are limited to specific subgroups of patients.

The duration of anticoagulation is tailored by balancing the risks of VTE recurrence and bleeding. Without contraindications, the minimal duration of anticoagulation is 3 months. The selection between warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (apixaban, dabigatran, rivaroxaban) and low molecular weight heparin is based on individual patient characteristics and suitability of each drug.

Riitta Lassila (Chair)

Elina Armstrong

Veli-Pekka Harjola

Risto Kaaja

Hannu Manninen

Tuula Meinander

Pirjo Mustonen