Venous thromboembolism events after thoracic surgery: global steps toward prevention

In 1856, Rudolf Virchow summarized the risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a triad: hypercoagulability, endothelial injury, and venous stasis (1). Since that time there have been numerous advancements in the assessment and prevention of VTE. Currently, there are several guidelines for the prevention of VTE including American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and European Society of Medical Oncology; however, none of these guidelines specifically discuss patients undergoing lung cancer resection.