Table 2

Incidence of thromboembolic disease in various risk categories

Risk category Low risk Medium risk High risk
General surgeryAge < 40 yearsAge > 40 yearsAge > 60 years
Surgery < 30 minutesSurgery > 30 minutesSurgery > 60 minutes
No risk factorsNo other risk factorsPlus additional risk factors
Orthopaedic surgery, traumatologyMinor trauma Leg plaster castHip or knee surgery, hip fracture, polytrauma
Medical conditionsPregnancyHeart failure, stroke, malignancyLong immobility
Incidence (%)
 Distal DVT210–4040–80
 Proximal DVT0.46–810–15
 Symptomatic PE0.21–25–10
 Fatal PE0.0020.1–0.81–5

  • DVT, deep vein thrombosis; PE, pulmonary embolism.