(Circulation. 2002;106:1436.)
© 2002 American Heart Association, Inc.
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From the Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Womens Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Correspondence to Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Womens Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail sgoldhaber@partners.org
An extract of the first 250 words of the full text is provided, because this article has no abstract. |
The heart pumps oxygenated blood through the aorta to smaller arteries. After the blood supplies nutrients to vital organs, it returns through veins for reoxygenation in the lungs (Figures 1 and 2). Blood clots called deep vein thrombi (DVT) often develop in the deep leg veins. Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs when clots break off from vein walls and travel through the heart to the pulmonary arteries. The broader term venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to DVT, PE, or to a combination of both.
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What Is the Epidemiology?
VTE poses a public health threat with an estimated incidence in the United States of 250 000 to 2 million cases per year. Predisposition to VTE arises from acquired conditions, inherited disorders, or both. Many of the acquired risk factors can be modified, thus lessening the likelihood of PE or DVT.
What Are the Acquired Risk Factors?
Long-haul air travel is the most talked-about risk factor for PE.
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