Managing challenging patients with venous thromboembolism: a practical, case-based approach

Abstract

The management of patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common clinical scenario that, for the most part, involves well‑established, evidence‑based treatment pathways. However, important unanswered clinical questions remain that are the focus of ongoing research. The aim of this narrative review is to provide a practical, case‑based approach to the following clinical scenarios in which therapeutic management pathways are less well established: How long to administer anticoagulation to patients with a first unprovoked VTE? How to manage complex patients with cancer‑associated VTE? When and how to treat patients with splanchnic vein thrombosis? When to use thrombolytic therapy for deep vein thrombosis?