Summary
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been perceived for a long time to be less common
in Asian populations, particularly in the Far East, than in Western populations. Generally,
thromboprophylaxis is not implemented as frequently as it should be in high-risk patients.
However, recent prospective studies undertaken in Asian countries have demonstrated
higher rates of VTE after major surgery and in medical wards, approaching those observed
in Western populations. Risk factors for VTE are not different in Asian patients from
those of Western patients with the exception of thrombophilic mutations. Deficiencies
of the natural anticoagulants (protein S, protein C, and antithrombin) are the predominant
thrombophilias in Asia whereas factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A gene mutation
are not found or rarely reported. Further large well-designed clinical studies are
needed to evaluate the magnitude of the risk of VTE and the appropriate use of thromboprophylaxis
in different clinical situations.
Keywords
Venous thromboembolism - Asia - Far East