A number of acute medical illnesses are known to increase the risk of VTE when they are associated with recent immobility. Serious illnesses, such as acute heart failure, and serious acute inflammatory diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease and acute infections, are known to increase the risk of thrombosis.
The figure shows an older lady bed-bound because of an acute medical illness; these factors—
advanced age, acute illness, and immobility—can disturb the normal clotting process and
contribute to an increased risk of thrombosis.
