Thrombosis Science and Venous Thromboembolism Management
This section brings together clinical articles and risk-assessment tools focused on venous thromboembolism across different patient populations, including surgical, medical, oncology and obstetric settings. Thrombosis risk varies significantly depending on clinical context, which is why population-specific tools and guidance are provided separately. Healthcare professionals can use this section to support consistent, evidence-based thromboprophylaxis decisions.
Science in Thrombosis
Updated Treatment Algorithm for Cancer-Associated Thrombosis
This article reviews an updated expert consensus treatment algorithm for managing cancer-associated thrombosis, including how the Khorana risk assessment model informs risk stratification within the pathway. Cancer-associated thrombosis carries distinct management considerations compared with thrombosis unrelated to malignancy, including anticoagulant choice and duration. Healthcare professionals can use this summary to align treatment decisions with current expert recommendations.
RCOG Guidance on Reducing Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Pregnancy
This article summarizes Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists guidance on reducing venous thromboembolism risk during pregnancy and the puerperium, a period associated with physiologically elevated thrombosis risk. The guidance outlines a structured approach to risk assessment and thromboprophylaxis recommendations across the antenatal and postpartum periods. Healthcare professionals can use this summary to support consistent application of these recommendations in obstetric practice.
Each population has a distinct combination of risk factors and baseline thrombosis incidence, so a single generic risk tool would not accurately capture risk in every setting. Surgical risk relates heavily to procedure type and duration, medical inpatient risk relates to acute illness and immobility, and oncology risk relates to tumor type and treatment. Using population-specific validated tools improves the accuracy of risk stratification and subsequent prophylaxis decisions.
Inadequate thromboprophylaxis can lead to deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism, both of which carry short-term morbidity and mortality risk as well as potential long-term complications such as post-thrombotic syndrome. Hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism remains a recognized preventable cause of patient harm. This underscores the importance of applying validated risk-assessment tools consistently across relevant patient populations.
Thrombosis risk should generally be reassessed whenever a patient's clinical status changes significantly, such as with new immobility, an additional diagnosis, or a change in treatment plan, rather than only at admission. Regular reassessment ensures prophylaxis decisions remain aligned with the patient's current risk level throughout their stay. Healthcare professionals should incorporate this reassessment into routine clinical review during hospitalization.
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