Childrens Mercy - Kansas City

Venous thromboembolism in children is becoming a more common problem, particularly in the hospitalized population. A retrospective study of patients between 2001 and 2007 found VTE increase 70% during the period of study, from 34 to 58 cases per 100,000 admissions. The complications of VTE are serious, with 16-20% resulting in pulmonary embolus and 1-4% leading to death. Prevention where possible is always best, but current strategies are frequently inadequate or unevenly applied. Children’s Mercy has implemented measures to identify patients at risk and institute measures to prevent hospital-acquired VTE.Shannon Carpenter, MD is here to discuss Venous thromboembolism.