Description
Venous thrombosis comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with or without symptomatic pulmonary embolus (PE). The development of symptomatic venous thrombosis is dependent on gene-environment interaction. The genetic framework underlying venous thrombosis is complex and there is a large material contribution from interaction with acquired risk factors including other diseases, such as cancer. Venous thrombosis is related to recent hospitalisation in approximately half of all adult cases. After a first episode of venous thrombosis patients are 40-times more likely overall to suffer a further event compared with previously unaffected individuals. However, the risk is different between patients. Decisions regarding duration of anticoagulation (lifelong or not) should be made with reference to whether or not an episode of venous thrombosis was provoked or not.
