VTE in Medical refers to Venous Thromboembolism, a condition characterized by the formation of blood clots in the vein that can lead to serious complications such as pulmonary embolism. When healthcare providers talk about venous thromboembolism (VTE), they often talk about it as a disorder that can lead to two different kinds of blood clotting conditions: deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a serious but preventable condition that happens when blood clots form in deep veins in the legs (called deep vein thrombosis or DVT) or if a blood clot travels to the lungs (called pulmonary embolism).

Understanding the Context

Find out about the causes and treatments of a blood clot called venous thromboembolism (VTE) and what you can do to prevent it. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a term referring to blood clots in the veins. VTE includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). DVT occurs when a blood clot develops in a deep vein, most commonly in the lower leg, thigh, or pelvis, but can also occur in the arm.

Key Insights

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a condition in which blood clots form in the veins and includes DVT and pulmonary embolism. VTE is most common in older adults, but it can occur at any age. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) refers to blood clots that develop in veins. It includes superficial and deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). PE refers to clot within the pulmonary artery or its branches.

Final Thoughts

VTE can happen at any time during a stay in hospital or in the weeks after leaving hospital. Look out for any DVT symptoms such as swelling, pain or tenderness in your calf and any PE symptoms such as chest pain, breathlessness or coughing up little bits of blood.