Venous Thromboembolism
Last Updated 02/18/2021
Author:The CHEST Foundation
About Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to blood clots that form in veins. VTE is a serious, life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.
There are 2 types of VTE:
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs when a clot forms in a deep vein, typically in a leg.
- Pulmonary embolism (PE) refers to a blood clot that breaks loose and travels through a vein to the lungs.
Watch Dr Timothy Morris and Dr Barbara Levy discuss VTE. They talk about how VTE relates to women who are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are using birth control.
Dr Morris is a CHEST VTE expert. Dr Levy is the vice president of Health Policy of the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG National).
Venous Thromboembolism VTE Infographic
These patient education materials are generously supported by a grant from Bristol Myers Squibb/Pfizer.
VTE Patient Tools
Did you know that there are nearly 900,000 cases of VTE in the U.S. every year and that at least 100,000 of those cases result in death? While those statistics may stound staggering, the good news is that the management of VTE is quickly evolving.
There are many things you can do to protect yourself, but you need to start by understanding the disease. That’s why our VTE Patient Guide outlines the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment options in an easy-to-read format. Access our guide so that you can stay informed and make the best health care decisions possible.