[Perioperative Management of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Embolism].

Preoperative evaluation of deep vein thrombosis( DVT), which is a known risk factor for the development of pulmonary embolism( PE), is important prior to performing thoracic surgery. The incidence of DVT after thoracic surgery is estimated to be 4% and the incidence of PE 0.6%. Lung cancer may be responsible for the highest incidence of thrombotic events associated with cancer. Longer operative time, intraoperative bleeding, extended surgical injury, pneumonectomy, and incomplete resection are all correlated to higher chance of acute PE after thoracic surgery. Risk-assessment models for DVT or PE can be utilized in thoracic surgery, and prophylaxis pre and post operation is highly recommended. Estimation of D-dimer levels is a valid preoperative screening strategy to evaluate the risk of DVT, and ultrasonographic examination should be performed in patients whose D-dimer levels are more than 1.0 μg/ ml. Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography is the gold standard in diagnosis of acute PE. Postoperative PE needs to be diagnosed and treated promptly as delay may be fatal. Anticoagulants and thrombolytic therapy have shown a great success in treatment of acute PE. Surgical approach for acute PE has also shown to be a lifesaving in some cases, and percutaneous cardiopulmonary support may be useful for patients with circulatory collapse or cardiopulmonary arrest.