This JAMA Clinical Guidelines Synopsis summarizes the American College of Chest Physicians' 2016 recommendations on antithrombotic therapy for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The estimated annual incidence of VTE, defined as DVT of the leg or PE, ranges from 104 to 183 per 100 000 person-years. Compared with those without VTE, the 30-year mortality risk is increased for survivors of an episode of VTE and for survivors of an episode of PE (64 vs 136 and 211 per 1000 person-years, respectively). In 2012, the ACCP released the ninth-edition guidelines for antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis. Since the publication of that guideline, there has been improved understanding of the diagnosis and prognosis of VTE. The addition of non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) has altered the landscape of treatment options. This update addresses the role for NOACs and provides new recommendations for management of subsegmental PE and treatment of cancer-associated VTE.

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