Provoked versus unprovoked venous thromboembolism: Findings from GARFIELD-VTE.

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has a long-term risk of recurrence, dependent on the presence or absence of provoking risk factors at the time of the event.

Objective: To compare clinical characteristics, anticoagulant patterns, and 12-month outcomes in patients with transient provoking factors, active cancer, and unprovoked VTE.

Methods: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD (GARFIELD)-VTE is a prospective, observational study that enrolled 10 207 patients with objectively diagnosed VTE from 415 sites in 28 countries.

Global public awareness about atrial fibrillation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is an important cause of ischemic stroke that often remains undetected until stroke occurs. Awareness of the risk factors and symptoms is important so that AF can be diagnosed and thromboprophylaxis given. However, the extent of public awareness of AF is uncertain.