Activity Content

Approximately 2 million Americans develop deep vein thrombosis (DVT) each year. Pulmonary embolism (PE) occurs in approximately 600,000 of these cases, resulting in a mortality rate approaching 10%. Annual costs of hospitalization and follow-up treatment for DVT and PE—venous thromboembolism (VTE)—amount to an estimated $1.5 billion in the United States.

The American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) has published evidence-based guidelines for VTE prevention and treatment, with anticoagulant therapy playing a pivotal role. The pace of clinical research to determine the optimal approach to anticoagulant therapy in patients with or at risk for VTE is rapid. Health-system pharmacists must stay abreast of emerging clinical data on the treatment of VTE to ensure that appropriate anticoagulant therapy and monitoring strategies are in place.

Many hospitalized surgical and medical patients who are at risk for VTE do not receive adequate VTE prophylaxis. Adherence to evidence-based guidelines for VTE prophylaxis and treatment often is poor.

This interactive program will include an overview of the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and diagnosis of VTE; risk factors for VTE; and interventions for prevention and treatment of VTE. The pharmacology and monitoring requirements of anticoagulants will be reviewed. Participants will be engaged in an active learning process through the use of interactive questions about the assessment of risk for VTE and the application of ACCP guidelines for the prevention and treatment of VTE in clinical practice.