OBJECTIVES To describe treatment patterns and healthcare resource utilization associated with venous thromboembolism (VTE) disease [deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE)] in Argentina.

METHODS Clinical practice (CP) for management of VTE was investigated through a two-round Delphi panel. A questionnaire to define therapeutic pathways and quantify the healthcare resource utilization was developed based on CP guidelines. 13 VTE experts performed the questionnaire anonymously in the 1st-round. In second round, each participant saw where his/her answer fit within the group average, and accordingly decided if he/she wanted to change the answers. Finally, consensus was achieved when 70% of answer fit in the range of mean ± standard deviation.

RESULTS According to expert answers 56.9% of patients screened would classify as probable DVT and perform ultrasound test to confirm diagnosis (Positive 49.6%). Among patients classify as unlikely DVT, 47.3% would perform a D-dimer test. 34.6% of patients screened for DVT would have a confirmed diagnosis. Regarding patients with suspected PE, 88.8% would be clinically stable and 56.2% classified as probable PE. 95.6% use tomography angiogram for diagnosis. 95.1% of patients are candidate for anticoagulant treatment. DVT_treatment: 61.2% would receive outpatient treatment while 38.8% would be hospitalized. 51.6% would be treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and 47.9% use low molecular weight heparin + vitamin K antagonist (LMWH+VKA). Patients treated with LMWH+VKA would have longer inpatient stay than those treated with DOACs (5.6 vs 3.4 days). PE_treatment: Patients with high (8.2%) and intermediate (42.2%) clinical risk would be hospitalized. 70.8% of patients with low risk PE would receive outpatient treatment. Most patients with intermediate or low risk of PE would be treated with LMWH+VKA (68.5%) or DOACs (31.5%).

CONCLUSIONS These results help increase our understanding of current practices and healthcare resource utilization associated with the treatment of VTE in Argentina.