Venous thromboembolism in patients immobilised at home.

The natural history of venous thromboembolism (VTE), its impact on outcome and the rationale for prophylaxis are well established for hospitalised, acutely ill medical patients [1–10], but are less clear for nonhospitalised immobilised patients. Current guidelines for antithrombotic therapy recommend the use of prophylaxis in hospitalised, acutely ill medical patients, and suggest against its use in chronically immobilised persons at home and in patients with isolated lower-leg injuries requiring leg immobilisation [11]. However, there are no suggestions on the use of VTE prophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients immobilised at home.