Clinical guidelines for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolism in sport

 

The term venous thromboembolism refers to various pathological processes among which deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and the thrombotic syndrome. The importance in sports activities is that it is a pathology that requires a long recovery period from 3 to 6 months, and a delayed or unsuccessful diagnosis can cause a more serious illness or even a fatal outcome. Its prevalence in the field of sport is difficult to establish, but empirically it seems to be similar to that of the individual who does not practice sport. However, the field of sport and its environment offers clinical risk conditions to be taken into account, bruising on the vascular bed, rest, travel, dehydration, misguided massage therapy, certain medications or a genetic predisposition, may be factors that precipitate their presence. This guide updates the process, explains the diagnostic protocol and provides prevention guidelines and general treatments, also applied to sport, thinking not only of sport but also the professional and accompanying personnel.