Non-pharmacological Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Medical Patients

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity in acutely ill medical patients. VTE prophylaxis can be assured by pharmacological strategies and, when contraindicated, by non pharmacological measures, such as early mobilization, graduated compression stockings (GCS), intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) or inferior vena caval filters. Literature evidence on non pharmacological VTE prophylaxis lacks and guidelines are not standardized for hospitalized ill medical patients. Much recently randomized clinical trials in patients with stroke and other medical diseases, seem to increase doubts and reduce certainties in this context. In this review we provide information about non pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in acutely hospitalized ill medical patients.