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Internal and Emergency Medicine
Published in: Internal and Emergency Medicine 3/2010

01-06-2010 | IM - Review

The postthrombotic syndrome

Authors: Raffaele Pesavento, Sabina Villalta, Paolo Prandoni

Published in: Internal and Emergency Medicine | Issue 3/2010

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Abstract

Following deep vein thrombosis (DVT), one of every two patients will develop postthrombotic syndrome (PTS), which causes remarkable consequences on the socioeconomic level. Residual thrombosis is an important predictor of PTS, and severe early symptoms, old age, obesity, improper anticoagulation, recurrent thrombosis and varicose veins are major risk factors. Diagnosis of PTS is mainly based on the clinical findings for patients with a history of DVT, while in those without it, instrumental diagnosis might help in detecting a previous DVT. Prompt administration of adequate compression elastic stockings (ECS) in patients with symptomatic DVT reduces the frequency of PTS by half. Usually, the management of an established PTS is demanding, and often discouraging. However, when carefully supervised and instructed to wear proper ECS, more than 50% of patients either remain quiescent or improve during long-term follow-up.
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Metadata
Title
The postthrombotic syndrome
Authors
Raffaele Pesavento
Sabina Villalta
Paolo Prandoni
Publication date
01-06-2010
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Internal and Emergency Medicine / Issue 3/2010
Print ISSN: 1828-0447
Electronic ISSN: 1970-9366
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11739-009-0336-2

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