Microalbuminuria and Risk of Venous Thromboembolism

Abstract

The overall incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in developed countries is about 0.15% per year, varying from less than 0.005% in individuals younger than 15 years to as high as 0.5% at 80 years.^1-3 More than a century ago, Virchow postulated 3 main causes of thrombosis: stasis of the blood, changes in the vessel wall, and changes in the composition of the blood.⁴ Known risk factors for VTE fall in the first (stasis) and the third groups (blood composition).⁵ However, in as many as 50% of VTE cases, none of the known risk factors are present.¹