The post thrombotic syndrome: Ignore it and it will come back to bite you

Abstract

Post thrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a very common chronic complication of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), as three out of ten patients with lower extremity DVT will develop PTS. The possibility to identify patients at risk is limited. Diagnosis is challenging, because there is no gold standard diagnostic method. Progress in diagnostic options may therefore change future diagnostic strategies. The better understanding of pathophysiologic processes that underlie PTS may stimulate the development of treatment modalities and improve and diversify management options. The quest for adequate preventive strategies and treatment is important because PTS has a detrimental effect on patients' quality of life and is associated with increased healthcare as well as societal costs. The problem of PTS prevention is therefore clearly relevant to patients, doctors as well as policy makers.

Keywords: Endothelial dysfunction; Inflammation and coagulation; Non-invasive and invasive management; Pathophysiology; Post-thrombotic syndrome.