Conditions and symptoms
What Is Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)? Blood Clots Explained
Venous thromboembolism · say it: VEE-nus throm-boh-EM-boh-liz-umAlso written: VTE, blood clot, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, thromboembolism
Short answer
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a blood clot in a vein, covering deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE).
What it means
Venous thromboembolism, or VTE, is the umbrella term for blood clots that form in veins. A deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot, usually in a leg vein, that can cause pain, swelling, warmth and redness of one leg. A pulmonary embolism (PE) happens when a clot travels to the lungs. Sudden breathlessness, chest pain or coughing up blood can be signs of a PE and need emergency medical help.
VTE appears on many medicine labels. Combined hormonal contraceptives, hormone therapy for menopause, some breast cancer medicines and some other medicines list it as a risk, often with a boxed or prominent warning. Anticoagulant (blood thinner) labels list it as a condition they treat or prevent. The warning is there so that leg swelling or sudden breathlessness is acted on quickly, and so that risk factors such as surgery, long travel or smoking are considered.
VTE is about clots in veins. Clots in arteries cause different problems, such as heart attack or stroke. 'Thrombosis' means a clot forming; 'embolism' means a clot that has travelled.
Where you may see it
- Boxed warnings on combined hormonal contraceptive and hormone therapy labels
- The 'Indications' section of anticoagulant labels
- Hospital discharge summaries and scan reports (Doppler, CT pulmonary angiogram)
📄 How it looks on a report
Increased risk of venous thromboembolism. Discontinue if a thrombotic event occurs.
🙅 What it does not mean
- A VTE warning does not mean a clot will happen; it means the risk is higher, especially with other risk factors.
- Leg cramps alone are not always a clot, but one-sided swelling, pain and warmth should be checked.
- A clot in a vein is not the same as a stroke or heart attack.
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Venous thromboembolism”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Apixaban
A factor Xa inhibitor, a blood thinner medicine (anticoagulant)
- Clopidogrel
A platelet inhibitor of the P2Y12 type (a thienopyridine). It is a blood thinner that keeps platelets from sticking together.
- Estradiol
An estrogen hormone medicine
- Levonorgestrel and Ethinyl Estradiol
a combination birth control pill that contains a progestin and an estrogen
- Medroxyprogesterone Acetate
A progestin hormone. The label describes it as a derivative of progesterone. The FDA pharmacologic class is not listed.
- Rivaroxaban
a factor Xa inhibitor, a type of blood thinner (anticoagulant)
- Sulfamethoxazole and Trimethoprim
An antibacterial combination of two medicines: a sulfonamide antimicrobial and a dihydrofolate reductase inhibitor antibacterial.
- Warfarin Sodium
A blood thinner (anticoagulant) of the vitamin K antagonist type. The label says it acts by blocking vitamin K-dependent clotting factors.
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Venous thromboembolism” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
- NCI Dictionary definition ↗
US National Cancer Institute: “blood clot”
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