Abstract

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a significant vascular condition characterized by the formation of blood clots within the deep venous system, most commonly affecting the lower extremities. It represents a major public health concern due to its association with morbidity, mortality, and long-term complications such as pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome. Nursing professionals play a pivotal role in prevention, early recognition, patient education, and management of DVT. This review provides an in-depth exploration of epidemiology, risk factors, pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, and management strategies, with a particular focus on the implications for nursing education and practice. By synthesizing current evidence and highlighting emerging trends, this article aims to strengthen nursing faculty’s knowledge base, support clinical decision-making, and enhances teaching effectiveness in preparing future nurses to manage patients at risk for or affected by DVT.

• 1.   Ageno, W., Becattini, C., Brighton, T., Selby, R., & Kamphuisen, P.W. (2012). Epidemiology and risk factors of venous thromboembolism. Seminars in Thrombosis and Hemostasis, 38(6), 614– 622. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1322663
• 2.   Anderson, F.A., & Spencer, F.A. (2003). Risk factors for venous thromboembolism. Circulation, 107(23 Suppl 1), I9–I16. https:// doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000078469.07362.E6
• 3.   Becattini, C., Agnelli, G., & Schenone, A. (2012). Aspirin for preventing the recurrence of venous thromboembolism. The New England Journal of Medicine, 366(21), 1959–1967. https:// doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1114238
• 4.   Cushman, M. (2007). Epidemiology and risk factors for venous thrombosis. Seminars in Hematology, 44(2), 62–69. https://doi. org/10.1053/j.seminhematol.2007.02.004
• 5.   Di Nisio, M., van Es, N., & Büller, H.R. (2016). Deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. The Lancet, 388(10063), 3060–3073. https://doi. org/10.1016/S0140-6736(16)30514-1
• 6.   Farge, D., et al. (2019). International clinical practice guidelines for the treatment and prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer. The Lancet Oncology, 20(10), e566–e581. https://doi.org/10.1016/ S1470-2045(19)30336-5
• 7.   Galanaud, J. P., et al. (2018). Predictive factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism. Thrombosis Research, 163, 6–11. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.thromres.2017.12.006
• 8.   Geerts WH, Bergqvist D, Pineo GF, Heit JA, Samama CM, Lassen MR, et al. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. 2008;133(6 Suppl):381S-453S. https://doi.org/10.1378/ chest.08-0656
• 9.   Heit, J.A. (2015). Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism. Nature Reviews Cardiology, 12(8), 464–474. https://doi.org/10.1038/ nrcardio.2015.83
• 10.   Kahn, S.R., & Lim, W. (2021). Prevention of VTE in nonsurgical patients. Chest, 160(6), 2129–2140. https://doi.org/10.1016/j. chest.2021.07.056
• 11.   Kakkos, S.K., et al. (2021). European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS) 2021 Clinical Practice Guidelines on the management of venous thrombosis. European Journal of Vascular and Endovascular Surgery, 61(1), 9–82. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ejvs.2020.09.023
• 12.   Kesieme, E., Kesieme, C., Jebbin, N., Irekpita, E., & Dongo, A. (2011). Deep vein thrombosis: A clinical review. Journal of Blood Medicine, 2, 59–69. https://doi.org/10.2147/JBM.S19009
• 13.   Konstantinides, S.V., et al. (2020). 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism. European Heart Journal, 41(4), 543–603. https://doi. org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehz405
• 14.   Lyman, G. H., et al. (2021). Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis and treatment in patients with cancer: ASCO guideline update. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 39(12), 1326–1349. https://doi.org/10.1200/JCO.20.01461
• 15.   Prandoni, P., & Villalta, S. (2011). Venous thromboembolism and the post-thrombotic syndrome: Prevention and treatment. Vascular Health and Risk Management, 7, 557–564. https://doi.org/10.2147/VHRM.S10326
• 16.   Raskob, G.E., et al. (2018). Thrombosis: A major contributor to global disease burden. Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology, 38(12), 3023–3026. https://doi.org/10.1161/ ATVBAHA.118.311704
• 17.   Schünemann, H.J., et al. (2018). American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: Prophylaxis for hospitalized and nonhospitalized medical patients. Blood Advances, 2(22), 3198–3225. https://doi. org/10.1182/bloodadvances.2018022954
• 18.   Thaler, J., & Ay, C. (2020). Venous thromboembolism: Epidemiology, risk factors, and genetics. Hamostaseologie, 40(6), 366–374. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1268-9728
• 19.   Wells, P.S., et al. (2014). Evaluation of D-dimer in the diagnosis of suspected deepvein thrombosis. The New England Journal of Medicine, 349(13), 1227–1235. https://doi. org/10.1056/NEJMoa023153
• 20.   Wendelboe, A. M., & Raskob, G. E. (2016). Global burden of thrombosis: Epidemiologic aspects. Circulation Research, 118(9), 1340–1347. https:// doi.org/10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.115.306841

Data Sharing Statement

Funding