Prevalence and Risk Factor of Venous Thromboembolism in Korean Patients with Congestive Heart Failure

Purpose Congestive heart failure (CHF) is a major risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in Western countries. However, its contribution to VTE risk has not been established in an Asian population. To address this issue, we conducted a population-based study and a retrospective observation study to assess the prevalence and risk factors of VTE in Korean CHF patients. Methods This population-based study used the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database. Patients diagnosed with CHF and VTE between 2007 and 2011 were retrospectively identified by the Korean Classification of Disease. Also, a retrospective observation study was conducted at three teaching hospitals in Korea between 2006 and 2010. Results The VTE prevalence in Korean CHF patients was 0.855% and steadily increased between 2007 and 2011. In the retrospective observation study, 32 CHF patients with VTE, among a total of 1,759 CHF patients, were assessed. Multivariate analyses demonstrated that advanced age (≥ 65 years), recent surgery or trauma, and cancer were associated with VTE in CHF patients. Conclusion Our study showed a lower VTE rate in Korean CHF patients than has been previously reported in Caucasians. Elderly age, recent surgery or trauma, and cancer are independent VTE risk factors in Korean CHF patients.