Contemporary Challenges in Venous Thromboembolism: Evolving Populations and Implications for Management and Risk Stratification

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality globally. The incidence of VTE continues to increase over time, contributed to by demographic shifts and emerging risk factors, such as novel cancer treatments and exposure to gender-affirming hormonal therapies. While the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) revolutionized VTE management, increasing complexity in select patient cohorts has driven the need for alternative treatment strategies, including pharmacological and interventional approaches. Concurrently, contemporary patient populations have exposed limitations in existing risk assessment models, highlighting the need for revision and consideration of novel biomarkers. In this review, we provide an overview of the changing VTE landscape, highlighting emerging risk factors, advances in treatment, and the utility of current risk stratification tools and novel biomarkers in guiding care.