At present, almost 25% of the world population suffer from
venous thromboembolism (VTE). This condition is currently regarded as a continuum of
thromboembolism of pulmonary artery (
TEPA) and
venous thromboses including superficial
venous thromboses. These diseases are not infrequently concomitant and asymptomatic. Up to 75% of the cases of
venous thrombosis in the lower extremities are associated with latent
TEPA and 80% of the cases of pulmonory
embolism with asymptomatic
venous thrombosis. The mortality rate from
TEPA is estimated to be one person per 1,000. The data of autopsies indicate that 50-80% of the
TEPA cases are not diagnosed at all. As many as 300 subjects of 100,000 suffer trophic
ulcers in the lower extremities as a result of previous
venous thrombosis. Prophylaxis is supposed to be the principal means of VTE control. Chronic
lung diseases are the leading risk factors of VTE.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (
COPD) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. It is expected to become the third major cause of death by 2020. Hospitalization of
COPD patients in therapeutic clinics increases the risk of VTE by 7.98 times. Prophylaxis of VTE in
COPD patients may reduce the frequency of exacerbation and hospitalization and increase life expectancy.