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Semin Respir Crit Care Med 2012; 33(02): 205-210
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311801
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Venous Thromboembolism and Arterial Complications

Paolo Prandoni
1   Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, Clinica Medica II and Thromboembolism Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
,
Chiara Piovella
1   Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, Clinica Medica II and Thromboembolism Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
,
Raffaele Pesavento
1   Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, Clinica Medica II and Thromboembolism Unit, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
30 May 2012 (online)

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Abstract

An increasing body of evidence suggests the likelihood of a link between venous and arterial thrombosis. The two vascular complications share several risk factors, such as age, obesity, smoking, diabetes mellitus, blood hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, and metabolic syndrome. Moreover, there are many examples of conditions accounting for both venous and arterial thrombosis, such as the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome, hyperhomocysteinemia, malignancies, infections, and the use of hormonal treatment. Finally, several recent studies have consistently shown that patients with venous thromboembolism are at a higher risk of arterial thrombotic complications than matched control individuals. We, therefore, speculate the two vascular complications are simultaneously triggered by biological stimuli responsible for activating coagulation and inflammatory pathways in both the arterial and the venous system. Future studies are needed to clarify the nature of this association, to assess its extent, and to evaluate its implications for clinical practice.

Keywords

venous thromboembolism - deep vein thrombosis - pulmonary embolism - myocardial infarction - ischemic stroke - atherosclerosis
 

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