Table 1 Risk Factors for Venous Thromboembolism as outlined by NICE

• Surgical procedure with a total anaesthetic time of more than 90 minutes, or 60 minutes if the surgery involves the pelvis or lower limb

• Active cancer or cancer treatment

• Acute surgical admission with inflammatory or intra-abdominal condition

• Age over 60 years

• Expected significant reduction in mobility

• Critical care admission

• One or more of the patient related risk factors outlined to the right.

• Dehydration

• Known Thrombophilias

• Obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m²)

• One or more significant medical comorbidities (heart disease, metabolic, endocrine or respiratory pathologies, acute infectious diseases or inflammatory pathologies

• Personal history or a first degree

relative with a history of VTE

• Use of hormone replacement therapy

• Use of oestrogen-containing contraceptive therapy

• Varicose veins with phlebitis