Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Infectious Diseases: A Literature Review

Abstract

Systemic or localized infections increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). All types of infection can elevate the risk of VTE thrombosis, although some appear to increase risk more than others. In the current narrative review, we seek to overview the available evidence related to the epidemiology of VTE caused by infections. We focused on patients with infection in community setting or hospitalized, on patients with COVID-19, HIV infection, tuberculosis, HCV infection, and CMV infection, as well as on individuals with other types of infection that might increase the risk of VTE. Moreover, we tried to evaluate how the risk of VTE in person with different types of infections could be addressed in clinical practice with the use of anticoagulants. Extended VTE prophylaxis may not be warranted for all infections, but may be very helpful for some, such as those with intra-abdominal infection, systemic bloodstream infection, lower respiratory infection, and symptomatic urinary tract infection.

Keywords

• venous thromboembolism (VTE)
• risk of VTE
• infectious diseases
• COVID-19
• HIV infection
• tuberculosis