Venous thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism is the formation of blood clots in veins, chiefly deep vein thrombosis, with possible migration to the lungs as pulmonary embolism.

Virchow's triad: A framework describing stasis, vessel-wall injury, and hypercoagulability as interacting contributors to thrombosis. Its three factors explain the conditions that promote venous clot formation.
Wells score: A clinical prediction rule estimating the probability of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. It helps guide testing when symptoms raise suspicion for venous thromboembolism.
Venous system: The network of vessels that returns blood from the body to the heart. Venous thromboembolism develops within this low-pressure circulatory network.
Post-thrombotic syndrome: Chronic leg pain, swelling, and skin changes caused by lasting damage after deep vein thrombosis. It is a frequent long-term complication of clots in the leg veins.
Deep vein thrombosis: A blood clot in a deep vein, most often in the leg or pelvis. It is the most common source of pulmonary emboli in venous thromboembolism.
D-dimer: A fibrin-degradation fragment measured in blood as an indicator of recent clot formation and breakdown. A negative result can help exclude acute venous thromboembolism in appropriately selected patients.
Thrombosis: The formation of a blood clot within a blood vessel or heart chamber. Venous thromboembolism is the venous form of this broader process.
Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: Pulmonary hypertension caused by persistent organized clots obstructing pulmonary arteries. It can follow pulmonary embolism when vascular obstruction and pressure remain.
Pulmonary embolism: An obstruction of a pulmonary artery, usually caused by a clot that traveled from a vein. It is the potentially life-threatening consequence when a venous clot reaches the lungs.
Compression ultrasonography: An ultrasound technique that tests whether a vein collapses under pressure. It is a common first-line test for suspected deep vein thrombosis.

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