Postoperative Risk of Venous Thromboembolism in Rheumatic Disease Patients

Both traditional and disease-related risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) must be considered when assessing rheumatic disease patients preoperatively. While many studies suggest that patients with rheumatic diseases are at higher risk of VTE overall, studies in rheumatoid arthritis patients do not demonstrate an increased risk of postoperative VTE. Here, we review the literature on VTE risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus, Behcet's disease, and vasculitis. The data suggest that disease activity is a driver of VTE risk. While rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing elective arthroplasty are not at elevated VTE risk, patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome undergoing surgery have an elevated risk of postoperative VTE.