Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a common event in hospital patients.¹ The diagnosis is often missed, and its most serious sequel, fatal pulmonary embolism (PE) is still detected in 10% of hospital autopsies.^2–3 DVT also commonly leads to chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulceration, treatment of which costs the NHS about £600 million a year.⁴ Deep vein thrombosis can be prevented in 60–75% of surgical patients,⁵ but many different prophylactic regimens are used, and some surgeons still use none.⁶ We discuss here who should receive prophylaxis, how it should be given, and review the treatment of established venous thrombosis.