TITLE:
Venous Thromboembolic Disease: Epidemiological, Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Outcome Aspects in a Series of 190 Cases Collected in the Cardiology Department of Idrissa Pouye General Hospital, Dakar, Senegal
AUTHORS:
Ngoné Diaba Gaye, Joseph Salvador Mingou, Gasse Ndiaye, Malick Ndiaye, Marguerite Tening Diouf, Lamine Ly, Seydina Oumar Gueye, Mamadou Adama Thiam, Alassane Mbaye, Abdoul Kane, Aliou Alassane Ngaïdé
KEYWORDS:
Venous Thromboembolic Disease, Pulmonary Embolism, Deep Vein Thrombosis, Anticoagulation, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.16 No.8,
August
26,
2026
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) is a diagnostic and therapeutic emergency because of its acute morbidity and mortality and its chronic complications. Long considered uncommon in Africa, it is increasingly reported in hospital settings. The objectives of this study were to assess the management of VTE in the Cardiology Department of Idrissa Pouye General Hospital, describe its epidemiological and sociodemographic features, identify aetiological factors, and analyse diagnostic, therapeutic and outcome aspects. Methods: This was a retrospective, descriptive and analytical study conducted from 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2022 in the Cardiology Department of Idrissa Pouye General Hospital in Dakar. All patients hospitalised for VTE confirmed by imaging were included, either by venous Doppler ultrasound for venous thrombosis or by computed tomography pulmonary angiography for pulmonary embolism. Patients without documented diagnostic evidence were not included. Sociodemographic data, risk factors, clinical signs, complementary investigations, therapeutic modalities and in-hospital outcomes were collected from medical records. Statistical analysis was performed using Epi Info version 7.2.50 and R version 4.3.1, with statistical significance set at p Results: Among 2996 hospitalised patients, 190 cases of VTE were identified, corresponding to a hospital prevalence of 6.34%. Isolated pulmonary embolism accounted for 48.9% of cases, isolated deep vein thrombosis for 41.1%, and combined deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism for 10.0%. Mean age was 48.20 ± 16.79 years. Female sex predominated among patients with isolated deep vein thrombosis and isolated pulmonary embolism. The main risk factors were prolonged bed rest, long-distance travel, cancer, gynaeco-obstetric factors, physical inactivity, and obesity or overweight. Deep vein thrombosis mainly presented as a painful inflammatory swollen leg, whereas pulmonary embolism was dominated by dyspnoea, chest pain and tachycardia. Pulmonary embolism was bilateral in 77.27% of cases. Heparin therapy was used in 86.78% of patients, vitamin K antagonist bridging in 75.26%, and direct oral anticoagulants in 41.58%. Conclusion: VTE was a frequent condition among patients hospitalised in cardiology, with a predominance of isolated pulmonary embolism. Management relied mainly on diagnostic imaging and anticoagulation. A structured strategy for prevention, early diagnosis and improved access to anticoagulants is needed.