Trends of venous thromboembolism mortality rate among US adults, 1999–2024

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, is a major cause of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in the United States. This study examined long-term trends in VTE-related mortality from 1999 to 2024, with a focus on demographic and geographic disparities. METHODS: We conducted a nationwide population-based study using mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database (1999–2024). Adults aged ≥ 25 years with VTE (ICD-10 codes I26, I80, and I82) listed as the underlying cause of death were included. Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) were calculated, and temporal trends were assessed using Joinpoint regression. Analyses were stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and US Census region. RESULTS: A total of 283,805 VTE-related deaths were identified during the study period. The overall AAMR declined from 6.46 to 4.59 per 100,000 population, corresponding to an average annual percent change of − 1.43% (95% confidence interval: −2.35 to − 0.50). Despite this overall decline, important subgroup disparities persisted. Mortality increased among adults aged 25–44 years, whereas older adults consistently exhibited the highest absolute mortality rates. Non-Hispanic Black individuals and residents of the Southern United States also experienced persistently elevated mortality throughout the study period. CONCLUSION: Although VTE-related mortality in the United States declined between 1999 and 2024, substantial disparities persisted across age, race/ethnicity, and geographic regions. These findings underscore the need for targeted prevention strategies and equitable access to timely diagnosis and evidence-based VTE care.