The Journal of cardiovascular nursing
-
Venous thrombosis involving the deep veins is a major US health problem that affects over 2.5 million people annually. The most serious complication of a deep venous thrombosis (DVT) is pulmonary embolism (PE), which is associated with 50,000 to 200,000 deaths each year. ⋯ Then it reviews treatment of DVT, highlighting the nurse's role. A discussion of DVT prophylaxis based on patient risk follows.