Lipid lowering therapy in venous thromboembolism. A Clinical Consensus Statement of the ESC Working Group on Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Diseases, the ESC Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, the ESC Working Group on Pulmonary Circulation & Right Ventricular Function, and the European Society of Vascular Medicine (ESVM).

The aim of this clinical consensus statement of the European Society of Cardiology Working Group on Aorta and Peripheral Vascular Diseases, the Working Group on Cardiovascular Pharmacotherapy, the Working Group on Pulmonary Circulation & Right Ventricular Function, and the European Society of Vascular Medicine is to summarize existing evidence on lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) in primary and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE, which comprises deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), shares common risk factors with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). While anticoagulation is the mainstay in the management of patients with VTE, it may be appropriate to define LLT as risk modifier in primary prevention of VTE in populations at high cardiovascular risk. In patients with VTE, assessment of cardiovascular risk factors, including lipid levels, is commonly part of routine cardiovascular care in accordance with existing ESC Guidelines. Finally, this clinical consensus statement highlights the gaps in evidence and the need for large-scale studies directly investigating the role of LLT in secondary prevention of recurrent VTE in high-risk populations.