Publication date: May 11, 2026
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a frequent and often silent complication in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, markedly increasing the risk of pulmonary embolism and death. However, comprehensive quantitative evidence on ICU-DVT incidence and associated risk factors remains scarce. To synthesize global data on the epidemiology of ICU-DVT and identify independent risk factors, providing a basis for evidence-based, risk-stratified prevention. We systematically searched PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to July 2024 for observational studies reporting ICU-DVT incidence and risk factors. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using random-effects models (PROSPERO ID: CRD42024583844). A total of 186 studies were included, involving 203,880 ICU patients. The overall incidence of DVT was 10. 4% (95% CI 8. 9%-12. 0%). The incidence was significantly higher in COVID-19 patients than in non-COVID-19 patients (12. 4% vs. 8. 4%, p
| Concepts | Keywords |
|---|---|
| Crd42024583844 | Deep vein thrombosis |
| July | Intensive care unit |
| Library | Meta-analysis |
| Quantitative | Risk factors |
| Thrombosis |
Semantics
| Type | Source | Name |
|---|---|---|
| disease | MESH | deep vein thrombosis |
| disease | MESH | critically Ill |
| disease | MESH | pulmonary embolism |
| disease | MESH | death |
| disease | MESH | included |
| disease | MESH | COVID-19 |