Long-term survival after venous thromboembolism: a retrospective selected cohort study among young women

Abstract

Few data are available on long-term survival following venous thromboembolism. We performed a retrospective survival analysis covering the period January 1985 to December 2006 in 728 young women (median age 28.7 years; interquartile range 21.6–36.3 years) with a history of venous thromboembolism who visited our clinic between 1985 and 1998. Mortality information was obtained from the Austrian Central Death Register. Survival of our patients was compared to the general Austrian female population after adjustment for age and calendar period. Overall, 23 patients (3.2%) died, the cumulative relative survival was 1.03 (95% CI 0.99–1.04). Site of venous thromboembolism or triggering factors had no significant influence. Venous thromboembolism does not reduce long-term survival in young women considering our median follow up of 14 years. The risk of fatal bleeding and quality of life should be assessed versus that of fatal recurrent venous thromboembolism when deciding on long-term anticoagulation in young women.