Faller et al identified risk factors for mortality in an older adult with acute venous thromboembolism. These can help to identify a patient who may benefit from more aggressive management. The authors are from multiple institutions in Switzerland.
Patient selection: age >= 65 years with acute venous thromboembolism
Outcome: mortality in the following 30 months (from cancer, pulmonary embolism, infection, bleeding or other cause)
Advancing age was associated with increased mortality, especially if the age is >= 75 years.
Risk factors for mortality with hazard ratio 2.8 to 5.8:
(1) active cancer
(2) systolic blood pressure < 100 mm Hg
Risk factors for mortality with hazard ratios from 1.4 to 1.9:
(1) diabetes mellitus
(2) low physical activity
(3) polypharmacy
(4) anemia
(5) C-reactive protein > 40 mg/L
(6) ultra-sensitive serum troponin > 14 pg/mL
(7) D-dimer > 3,000 ng/mL
