Perioperative deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition in which a blood clot forms in a deep vein, typically in the legs, during or after surgery. Left untreated, DVT can lead to pulmonary embolism, a potentially life-threatening complication.
Prolonged immobility during and after surgery is a major risk factor, particularly with orthopedic procedures such as hip and knee replacements. Patient characteristics that increase DVT risk include advanced age, obesity, and a prior history of blood clots. Medical conditions such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and kidney or liver disease also elevate susceptibility.
Surgical factors contributing to risk include operations lasting over four hours, the type of anesthesia administered, and significant blood loss requiring transfusions.
Prevention strategies include anticoagulant medications such as low-molecular-weight heparin and direct oral anticoagulants, mechanical devices such as compression stockings and pneumatic compression pumps, and early postoperative mobilization.
The Caprini score is widely used as a risk assessment tool to stratify patients and guide prophylaxis decisions. Recent advances in predictive modeling and artificial intelligence have improved the accuracy of these risk assessments, enabling more personalized prevention strategies.