Predisposing factors

Some risk factors suggest greater risk of venous thromboembolism than others:

• strong risk factors (odds ratio > 10)
  • fracture (hip or leg)
  • hip or knee replacement
  • major general surgery
  • major trauma
  • spinal cord injury
    
    
• intermediate risk factors (odds ratio 2 to 9)
  • arthroscopic knee surgery
  • central venous lines
  • chemotherapy
  • chronic heart or respiratory failure
  • hormone therapy
  • malignancy
  • oral contraceptive therapy
  • paralytic stroke
  • pregnancy/postpartum
  • previous venous thromboembolism
  • thrombophilia
    
    
• weak risk factors (odds ratio < 2)
  • bed rest longer than 3 days
  • immobility due to sitting (e.g. – car or air travel longer than eight hours_
  • increasing age
  • laproscopic surgery
  • obesity (BMI>40kg/mm2)
  • pregnancy/antepartum
  • varicose veins (1)

Reference:

• (1) Wilbur J, Shian B. Diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Am Fam Physician. 2012;86(10):913-9.