Timing and Risk Factors Associated With Venous Thromboembolism After Lung Cancer Resection

Thomas and colleagues performed a retrospective analysis of patient information from the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database to identify risk factors for postdischarge venous thromboembolism (VTE) following lung resection. Although VTE events occurred in only 1.6% of patients (234 of 14,308), the authors found that 44% of all VTE events occurred after discharge, and older age, obesity, pneumonectomy, and prolonged operative time were all independent predictors of postdischarge VTE. They conclude that prophylactic management of postdischarge VTE, particularly for patients with high risk, should be included in guidelines for postoperative VTE management.