Top Things to Know: Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) Research Priorities
Published: July 08, 2020
Prepared by Paul St. Laurent, DNP, RN, Sr. Science and Medicine Advisor, Lead
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. and worldwide.
- The impact of the 2008 Surgeon General’s Call to Action to Prevent Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism has been lower than expected given the public health impact of this disease.
- This scientific statement highlights future research priorities in venous thromboembolism. Developed by experts, it is based on responses from a crowdsourcing activity across 16 scientific organizations who were asked to share their priorities for VTE research.
- At the fundamental research level (T0), researchers need to identify pathobiological causative mechanisms for the 50% of patients with unprovoked VTE and better understand mechanisms that differentiate hemostasis from thrombosis.
- At the translation to humans level (T1), new methods for diagnosing, treating, and preventing VTE will allow tailoring of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches to individuals.
- At the patient level (T2), research efforts are required to understand how foundational evidence impacts care of patients (e.g., biomarkers). New treatments, such as catheter-based therapies, require further testing to identify which patients are most likely to benefit.
- At the practice level (T3), translating evidence into practice remains challenging. This will require evidence-based tools to improve care delivery.
- At the community and population level (T4), public awareness campaigns need thorough impact assessment.
- Large population-based cohort studies can elucidate the biological and environmental underpinnings of VTE and its complications.
- To achieve these goals, funding agencies and training programs must support a new generation of scientists and clinicians who work in multidisciplinary teams to solve the pressing public health problem of VTE.
Citation
Cushman M, Barnes GD, Creager MA, Diaz JA, Henke PK, Machlus KR, Nieman MT, Wolberg AS; on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Peripheral Vascular Disease; Council on Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis and Vascular Biology; Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing; Council on Clinical Cardiology; Council on Epidemiology and Prevention; and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. Venous thromboembolism research priorities: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association and the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis [published online ahead of print July 8, 2020]. Circulation. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000818.