Abstract
While athletes are often considered the epitome of health due to their physique and
lowered potential for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, they may also be at risk
for the onset and development of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In an attempt to achieve
and remain competitive, athletes are frequently exposed to numerous athlete-specific
risk factors, which may predispose them to VTE through the disruption of factors associated
with Virchow's triad (i.e., hypercoagulability, venous stasis, and vessel wall injury).
Indeed, hypercoagulability within an athletic population has been well documented
to occur due to a combination of multiple factors including exercise, dehydration,
and polycythemia. Furthermore, venous stasis within an athletic population may occur
as a direct result of prolonged periods of immobilization experienced when undertaking
long-distance travels for training and competition, recovery from injury, and overdevelopment
of musculature. While all components of Virchow's triad are disrupted, injury to the
vessel wall has emerged as the most important factor contributing to thrombosis formation
within an athletic population, due to its ability to influence multiple hemostatic
mechanisms. Vessel wall injury within an athletic population is often related to repetitive
microtrauma to the venous and arterial walls as a direct result of sport-dependent
trauma, in addition to high metabolic rates and repetitive blood monitoring. Although
disturbances to Virchow's triad may not be detrimental to most individuals, approximately
1 in 1,000 athletes will experience a potentially fatal post-exercise thrombotic incidence.
When acquired factors are considered in conjunction with genetic predispositions to
hypercoagulability present in some athletes, an overall increased risk for VTE is
present.
Keywords
athlete - venous thromboembolism - athletic training - exercise
