[Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

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.