MORTALITY rates climb when diagnosis of venous thromboembolism is delayed, new research shows, with the majority of patients waiting more than 24 hours for a confirmed diagnosis. These findings point to critical opportunities for reducing mortality with swifter clinical action.
Mortality and Delayed Diagnosis
When venous thromboembolism (VTE) goes unrecognised, timely intervention is missed and mortality rises significantly. Often presenting with vague symptoms, VTE is a leading preventable cause of early death in hospitalised patients. Recent analysis from two US health systems showed delays of over 24 hours in diagnosis in nearly 80 percent of cases, and more than 70 percent experienced delays exceeding 72 hours. The data highlight missed opportunities and show that delays strongly correlate with increased 30-day mortality.
Study Insights
The study reviewed 3,525 patient records, finding that those diagnosed within 24 hours faced much lower mortality risk than those diagnosed late. At Mass General Brigham, prompt diagnosis limited mortality to 2.5 percent, while delayed diagnosis raised this figure to 8.3 percent—a risk ratio of over threefold. Penn State Health mirrored the trend, though with smaller increases. Practitioner-related delays were the most common contributing factor. The mortality risk from VTE depends on rapid detection and intervention, especially for conditions such as pulmonary embolism.
Clinical Action to Reduce Mortality
High and preventable mortality associated with delayed diagnosis of VTE calls for strengthened clinical protocols and real-time electronic quality measures. Tools such as DOVE provide early detection and can support institutional improvements. Vigilance and rapid investigation of potential clot symptoms are vital to mitigating mortality in hospitals. Early screening and decision support offer pathways to curb deaths and improve patient survival drastically.
Reference
Kang M et al. Delayed venous thromboembolism diagnosis and mortality risk. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(9):e2533928.
