Critical issues in ulcer prevention in postthrombotic disease

Abstract

Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a major source of venous ulcers accounting for an estimated ±50% as causative etiology. A total of 1% to 7% of patients with PTS are estimated to develop an ulcer in 5 to 10 years, but the true incidence is not known as recurrent thrombosis is a major factor in PTS development (grade 1).1 Recurrent thromboses are known to occur years and even decades later2,3 making accurate estimation of true PTS and ulcer incidence impossible as a practical matter.