Definition and research guide
This page combines a MeSH definition, publication statistics and selected research abstracts. It is a starting point for reading the literature, not a medical textbook or a systematic evidence review.
Content available: 3 complete abstracts (694 words), 9 references. Full article text is not stored or reproduced here; follow the PMID, DOI or PMC links to read the original sources and their access terms.
Definition
Obstruction of a blood vessel (embolism) by a blood clot (thrombus) in the blood stream.
Definition: NLM Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) scope note (Public domain (U.S. National Library of Medicine); attribution requested). View the MeSH record.
Also known as: Thromboembolisms.
Where it fits in the MeSH classification
- Broader topics
- Embolism and Thrombosis
- Narrower topics
- Embolism, Paradoxical; Intracranial Embolism and Thrombosis; Venous Thromboembolism
Related concepts
- Thrombus
Research landscape
PubMed indexes 69,726 records tagged with the MeSH heading “Thromboembolism” (counts retrieved 2026-10-29). 13,594 of them (19.5%) were published from 2020 onward, and the busiest period so far is through 1999 with 23,514 records.
Reviews account for 13,311 records (19.1%) and meta-analyses for 1,923. Randomized controlled trials number 1,855 (2.7%) as a share of all records on the topic.
Show the data
| Period | Records |
|---|---|
| through 1999 | 23,514 |
| 2000-2009 | 12,504 |
| 2010-2019 | 20,114 |
| 2020 onward | 13,594 |
Publication-type chart data
| Type | Records | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Reviews | 13,311 | 19.1% |
| Meta-analyses | 1,923 | 2.8% |
| Randomized controlled trials | 1,855 | 2.7% |
Method: PubMed query "Thromboembolism"[MeSH Terms] with publication-type and date filters, retrieved 2026-10-29.
Reading the evidence in cardiovascular medicine
Cardiovascular medicine has an unusually large body of randomized trials, so the type of outcome matters: hard clinical events such as death, heart attack and stroke carry more weight than changes in blood pressure, cholesterol or imaging markers that only predict risk. Observational studies can show associations but are confounded by age, lifestyle and other illness. Check whether a result is about prevention or treatment, the baseline risk of participants, and the absolute rather than only the relative size of any benefit.
Evidence from open-access studies
These open-access studies come from PubMed’s best-match results for this heading (papers whose main topic it is), ranked here by citation count, with one recent addition. Each abstract is reproduced in full under its recorded open licence so that you can read the authors’ own words. They illustrate the literature; they are not a systematic summary of it. Citation counts measure attention, not reliability or clinical benefit.
| Study / authors | Year | Source label / design | Europe PMC citations | Licence / source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Venous thromboembolism and bleeding in cancer patients: role of inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers | 2026 | Randomized controlled trial Design not recorded in structured metadata | 7 | cc by PMID 41384379 · DOI · PMC13099213 |
| Lipoprotein(a) and incident venous thromboembolism in pre- and postmenopausal women, and in men | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 6 | cc by PMID 41903523 · DOI · PMC13266305 |
| Epidemiology of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism Across the United States | 2026 | Research article Design not recorded in structured metadata | 4 | cc by PMID 41796432 · DOI · PMC13055130 |
Venous thromboembolism and bleeding in cancer patients: role of inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers [1]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background and aimsPatients with cancer have increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding.
- Closing excerpt
- Prospective research is needed to confirm these findings.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (259 words)
Background and aimsPatients with cancer have increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding. Inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers may predict these complications, but their role remains unclear. This study examined associations between two inflammatory-related markers (C-reactive protein and growth differentiation factor-15) and two cardiac markers [N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity troponin T (hs-TnT)] with VTE and clinically relevant bleeding in cancer patients.MethodsA post hoc analysis of the AVERT trial, which evaluated apixaban for VTE prevention in ambulatory cancer patients with a Khorana score of ≥2, was performed. Biomarkers were measured at baseline and 1 month, with C-reactive protein also at 3 months. Fine and Gray regression, accounting for competing risk of death and adjusted for age and advanced cancer, estimated subdistribution hazard ratios (SHRs) for VTE and clinically relevant bleeding.ResultsOf 574 patients, 514 provided baseline samples. One- and 3-month samples were available from 454 and 447, and 378 and 364, patients without prior VTE and bleeding events, respectively. Elevated baseline growth differentiation factor-15 was associated with increased VTE risk [SHR 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.84]. N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (SHR 1.44, 95% CI 1.08-1.92) and C-reactive protein (SHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.07-1.76) were linked to bleeding risk. Increasing high-sensitivity troponin T from baseline to 1 month was associated with higher VTE risk (SHR 1.89, 95% CI 1.14-3.16). Nomograms were developed to estimate VTE and clinically relevant bleeding risks.ConclusionsSelect inflammatory-related and cardiac markers were associated with VTE and bleeding risks in cancer patients, which can be determined using developed nomograms. Prospective research is needed to confirm these findings.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41384379 · DOI · PMC13099213
Lipoprotein(a) and incident venous thromboembolism in pre- and postmenopausal women, and in men [2]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Background and aimsElevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are an established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the association between Lp(a) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear.
- Closing excerpt
- ConclusionsElevated Lp(a) was associated with VTE in premenopausal women and in postmenopausal MHT users, suggesting that hormonal context may influence Lp(a)-associated thrombotic risk.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (265 words)
Background and aimsElevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] levels are an established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, but the association between Lp(a) and venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains unclear. Sex and hormonal status may modify the relationship between Lp(a) and VTE.MethodsThe present study included participants from the UK Biobank with available baseline Lp(a) data. Individuals with a history of VTE or cancer, as well as those using anticoagulants, were excluded. Multivariable-adjusted Cox models were used to assess the association between Lp(a) levels ≥125 nmol/L and incident VTE in premenopausal women, postmenopausal women, and men. Subgroup analyses stratified premenopausal women by oral contraceptive (OCP) use and postmenopausal women by menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) use.ResultsAmong 55 302 premenopausal women, 129 045 postmenopausal women, and 189 013 men, the proportions with Lp(a) ≥ 125 nmol/L were 14.0%, 19.0%, and 15.0%, respectively. Over a median (interquartile range) follow-up of 13.6 (12.9-14.4) years, 8186 VTE events occurred (cumulative incidence 2.2%). Lp(a) ≥ 125 nmol/L was associated with incident VTE in premenopausal women [adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 1.32; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-1.66; P = .02] but not in postmenopausal women (aHR 1.03; 95% CI 0.94-1.13; P = .47; Pinteraction = .03) or men (aHR 1.00; 95% CI 0.92-1.08; P = .94). OCP use did not modify the Lp(a)-VTE association among premenopausal women (Pinteraction = .61). However, among postmenopausal MHT users, Lp(a) ≥ 125 nmol/L was associated with higher VTE risk (aHR 1.48; 95% CI 1.03-2.12; P = .03; Pinteraction = .04).ConclusionsElevated Lp(a) was associated with VTE in premenopausal women and in postmenopausal MHT users, suggesting that hormonal context may influence Lp(a)-associated thrombotic risk.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41903523 · DOI · PMC13266305
Epidemiology of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism Across the United States [3]
Abstract reading summary — source excerpts
- Opening excerpt
- Prior epidemiological studies on cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) were limited by homogenous patient populations.
- Closing excerpt
- The occurrence of VTE within the first year of cancer diagnosis was independently associated with increased mortality.
- Interpretation limits
- Verbatim excerpts from the authors’ abstract; the closing excerpt may describe a finding, limitation or recommendation. Design, population, effect size and uncertainty have not been independently extracted or appraised. Read the complete abstract and linked paper before interpreting the findings.
Read complete abstract (170 words)
Prior epidemiological studies on cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) were limited by homogenous patient populations. We leverage Cosmos, a collaborative dataset of Epic electronic health record systems, to conduct an updated evaluation of cancer-associated VTE in the United States (US). Cosmos includes patients from all 50 states, and the dataset is representative of the US census in terms of age, race, ethnicity, and insurance coverage. We included patients in the US with a new cancer diagnosis between 2018 and 2023. We computed the cumulative incidence of VTE at 6 and 12 months after the diagnosis date and used Cox regression to identify risk factors and examine the association between VTE type within the first year and mortality. We identified 1 628 626 patients, with a cumulative incidence of VTE at 6 months of 2.7% and at 12 months of 3.7%. Major risk factors included prior VTE, cancer type, advanced stage, and chemotherapy-based treatment regimens. The occurrence of VTE within the first year of cancer diagnosis was independently associated with increased mortality.
Abstract reproduced from the open-access article under the recorded cc by licence; © the authors. PMID 41796432 · DOI · PMC13055130
Key reviews and meta-analyses
The most cited review-type papers among PubMed’s best-match results for this heading, listed with bibliographic details only. Follow the links for the full text and access terms.
- Research article Association of gestational diabetes mellitus with overall and type specific cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis [4]
- Research article Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 93 risk loci and enables risk prediction equivalent to monogenic forms of venous thromboembolism [5]
- Research article Comparing direct anterior approach versus posterior approach or lateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis [6]
- Research article Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Reversal Agents in Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis [7]
- Research article Cardiovascular disease in transgender people: a systematic review and meta-analysis [8]
- Research article Cardiovascular and Venous Thromboembolic Risk With JAK Inhibitors in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis [9]
References
- Roy DC, Wang TF, Mallick R, Burger D, Carrier M, Wells P, et al.. Venous thromboembolism and bleeding in cancer patients: role of inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers. . 2026. PMID 41384379 · DOI · PMC13099213
- Ezzat D, Lopez DM, Claggett BL, Li L, Mohammadnia N, Schuermans A, et al.. Lipoprotein(a) and incident venous thromboembolism in pre- and postmenopausal women, and in men. . 2026. PMID 41903523 · DOI · PMC13266305
- Lam BD, Ryu J, Jafari O, Kim RB, Ma S, Ranjan M, et al.. Epidemiology of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism Across the United States. . 2026. PMID 41796432 · DOI · PMC13055130
- Xie W, Wang Y, Xiao S, Qiu L, Yu Y, Zhang Z. Association of gestational diabetes mellitus with overall and type specific cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ. 2022. PMID 36130740 · DOI · PMC9490552
- Ghouse J, Tragante V, Ahlberg G, Rand SA, Jespersen JB, Leinøe EB, et al.. Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 93 risk loci and enables risk prediction equivalent to monogenic forms of venous thromboembolism. Nat Genet. 2023. PMID 36658437 · DOI
- Ang JJM, Onggo JR, Stokes CM, Ambikaipalan A. Comparing direct anterior approach versus posterior approach or lateral approach in total hip arthroplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol. 2023. PMID 37010580 · DOI · PMC10504117
- Chaudhary R, Singh A, Chaudhary R, Bashline M, Houghton DE, Rabinstein A, et al.. Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulant Reversal Agents in Intracranial Hemorrhage: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Netw Open. 2022. PMID 36331504 · DOI · PMC9636520
- van Zijverden LM, Wiepjes CM, van Diemen JJK, Thijs A, den Heijer M. Cardiovascular disease in transgender people: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Endocrinol. 2024. PMID 38302717 · DOI
- Ingrassia JP, Maqsood MH, Gelfand JM, Weber BN, Bangalore S, Lo Sicco KI, et al.. Cardiovascular and Venous Thromboembolic Risk With JAK Inhibitors in Immune-Mediated Inflammatory Skin Diseases: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Dermatol. 2024. PMID 37910098 · DOI · PMC10620674
About this article
- Sources
- NLM Medical Subject Headings (definition, synonyms); NCBI PubMed (counts, identifiers); Europe PMC (open-access abstracts and citation counts).
- Verification
- Every reference was resolved against PubMed on 2026-10-31; title, year and DOI matched.
- Review state
- automated source verified; no human expert review has been recorded yet.
- Version
- 1, last updated 2026-10-29.
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Evidence strength
EvidenceHelix's computed view of the study designs behind this topic: how common meta-analyses, randomized trials and reviews are, how recent the literature is, and a plain-language reading. It describes the design mix of the literature. It is not a quality appraisal of any study, and it is not medical advice.