Maladie thromboembolique veineuse : questions et controverses. Séminaire pédagogique du DESC de médecine vasculaire (22 novembre 2007)

Rapid advances has been made in the diagnosis and treatment of venous thromboembolic disease, but many questions or controversies remain. In this review, we present a progress report on various concepts still open to discussion. New epidemiologic data from the French epidemiology study, Optimev, are presented. Widespread use of multidetector CT scan for the diagnostic work-up of pulmonary embolism has had considerable impact on clinical practices. We discuss indications and use of the various imaging methods. The review ends with a report on constitutional or acquired thrombophilia, particularly cancer-associated venous thromboembolic disease, which remains a daily preoccupation with various approaches still under debate. This review was the topic of the French vascular medicine teaching seminary in November 2007.