Facts & figures on deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
- Around 50% of people with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism do not have any symptoms.
- It is estimated that 1 in 1000 people (of the general population) develop symptoms of deep vein thrombosis and 1 in 2000 people develop symptoms of pulmonary embolism.
- 80% of patients do not exhibit symptoms of DVT, and signs of PE are seen in less than 25% of those diagnosed.
- Over 2 million people in Europe and the US undergo orthopaedic surgery, involving either total hip replacement or total knee replacement surgery, each year.
- Without preventative measures, 40-80% of hospitalised patients, who are undergoing orthopaedic surgery, would develop deep vein thrombosis without showing any symptoms. 2-5% would develop symptoms of venous thromboembolism.
- Almost one third of patients who have experienced venous thromboembolism, develop it again within 8 years of the initial event.
