VTE Guidelines: First update

Perioperative venous thromboembolism prophylaxis: First Update

TF Chair: Marc Charles Samama

In February 2018, the first edition of the European Guidelines on Peri-operative Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis was published in the European Journal of Anaesthesiology.

In early 2021, the process of the first update was initiated based on guidance from many stakeholders with an emphasis on a more rigorous methodology, aiming at a major overhaul of several sections and with addition of new topics such as plastic surgery, urology, non-ambulatory orthopaedic surgery and trauma (see below).

Most of the societies that had participated in the first edition remained involved in this new journey. A total of 12 societies took part in the update of the guidelines. The list is as follows: American Association for Thoracic Surgeons (AATS), European Association of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (EACTAIC), European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS), European Association of Plastic Surgeons (EURAPS), European Association of Urology (EAU), European Board of Colleges of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (EBCOG), European Hip Society (EHS), European Knee Society (EKS), European Society of Thoracic Surgeons (ESTS), Société de Réanimation de Langue Française (SRLF) and also: the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH) and the Network for the Advancement of Patient Blood Management, Haemostasis and Thrombosis (NATA). Most of the above-mentioned societies have nominated experts as writers.

This Guidelines is endorsed by ISTH (full guidelines), EACTS and EACTAIC (Chapter 1), ESTS (Chapter 2), EHS (Chapter 3-13) and EAU (Chapter 12).

Important Disclaimers

• Please note that you can request permission to translate the guideline by contacting guidelines@esaic.org
• ESAIC Guidelines and related materials are for use by individuals only – either for personal or educational purposes. Commercial use of EAIC Guideline is not allowed. Permission to re-use the guidelines must be requested to guidelines@esaic.org