Intensive Care Medicine (ICM) Practice Exam

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Which of the following is NOT a recognized risk factor for venous thromboembolism?

Hypercoagulability
Diabetes
Air travel
Surgery

The correct answer is: Diabetes

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is influenced by several well-established risk factors, which include hypercoagulability, prolonged immobilization such as during air travel, and surgical procedures that can lead to stasis and endothelial injury. Hypercoagulability refers to a state where there is an increased tendency for blood to clot, often due to inherited or acquired conditions, and is a well-recognized risk factor for VTE. Similarly, both air travel and surgery are major contributors to the development of VTE due to factors such as prolonged immobility and the physiological changes that occur during these conditions. Diabetes, while a significant health concern associated with various complications, including cardiovascular disease and peripheral vascular issues, is not directly categorized as a recognized risk factor for venous thromboembolism. Its relationship with VTE is not as clear, and it does not inherently lead to the pathological mechanisms that promote clot formation as do the other factors. Thus, it is considered a less relevant contributing factor to the risk of developing VTE compared to the others listed.