Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third leading cause of cardiovascular death after heart attack and stroke, yet receives far less institutional attention than either. Nearly 900,000 Americans are affected by VTE each year, and an estimated 100,000 die annually.
 
The gaps are stark. Up to 53% of inpatients with pulmonary embolism (PE) may be misdiagnosed, and more than half of physicians surveyed say their institutions lack a formal team to stratify patients by risk. Fewer than one-third of intermediate-high risk patients receive treatment beyond anticoagulation, despite their elevated risk of sudden deterioration. 

This report draws on insights from expert clinicians in collaboration with the American Venous Forum, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis, the National Blood Clot Alliance, Penumbra, Inc., the PERT Consortium, and the Society for Vascular Medicine to identify the five core care gaps — and what it takes to close them.