Diagnosis, treatment and management of venous thromboembolism: recent developments relevant to biomedical scientists

Three documents from government-sponsored bodies have recently provided new guidance on the diagnosis, treatment and management of venous thromboembolism. The Report of the Independent Expert Working Group to the Chief Medical Officer makes recommendations on general administrative arrangements, and provides a strategy for thromboprophylaxis. Among the recommendations of Guideline 46 from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence are that all patients about to undergo surgery should be assessed to identify their risk factors for developing veno-thromboembolic disease, and be offered graduated compression/anti-embolism stockings and/or pharmacoprophylaxis. The National Patient Safety Agency document focuses principally on the management of, and education in, the use of oral anticoagulants. The impact and implications of these three documents for haematology-based biomedical scientists, such as in leading a thrombosis team, directing clinical management, training of healthcare professions, and in patient education, will be discussed.