TABLE 1.
Details of Venous Thromboembolic Events in NHL Playersa
| Type of VTE | Treatment | Risk Factors Identified | Time Missed From Play, mo | Year of Event | NHL Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UE DVT | Surgery for clot/first rib/neck muscle removal; anticoagulation therapy (2 mo) | Noted after upper body workout | 4.67 | 2012 | Boston Bruins |
| 1 wk of IV anticoagulant for clot dissolution; 3 mo of oral anticoagulants | Brother (NHL player) diagnosed with TOS as well | 2.97 | 2013 | Calgary Flames (AHL) | |
| Surgery for first rib removal | 5.87 | 2012 | Dallas Stars (AHL) | ||
| Surgery for first rib removal | 3.07 | 1999 | Los Angeles Kings (AHL) | ||
| Surgery for first rib/neck muscle removal | Brother (NHL player) diagnosed with TOS as well | 2.63 | 2016 | New York Islanders | |
| Surgery for first rib removal, anticoagulation therapy (2 mo) | 2.03 | 2015 | Tampa Bay Lightning | ||
| Surgery for first rib removal, anticoagulation therapy (2 mo) | 5.73 | 2016 | Tampa Bay Lightning | ||
| LE DVT | Oral anticoagulants (9 mo) | Event after blocked shot | 9.50 | 2012 | Calgary Flames |
| Anticoagulation therapy (3 mo) | Pelvic venous scarring from childhood trauma | 3.50 | 2006b | Nashville Predators | |
| IVC filter placement; Lovenox injections indefinitely; wears extra padding on torso and compression stockings while traveling; undergoes monthly US of legs and abdomen; times injections based on practice/game schedule | Hereditary clotting disorder; history of prior PE 2 years before; occurred after revision ACL reconstruction | 10.20 | 2008b | Nashville Predators | |
| Anticoagulation therapy (3 mo) | 4.60 | 2012 | New Jersey Devils | ||
| Anticoagulation therapy (continued for 3.5 years) | Hereditary clotting disorder | CE | 1999 | New York Islanders | |
| Anticoagulation therapy | 8.33 | 2002 | Toronto Maple Leafs | ||
| Anticoagulation therapy (3 mo); no contact for 3 mo; compression stockings on flights | 3.47 | 2013 | Winnipeg Jets | ||
| Surgery for clot dissolution, anticoagulation therapy (4 mo) | Previous history of pelvic thrombophlebitis | CE | 2013b | Pittsburgh Penguins | |
| Anticoagulation therapy | Protein C deficiency | 0.33 | 2008b | Philadelphia Flyers | |
| PE | Lovenox injections indefinitely | Hereditary clotting disorder, prior history of DVT | 8.63 | 2011 | Colorado Avalanche |
| Lovenox injections | Hereditary clotting disorder; occurred after ACL reconstruction surgery | 5.13 | 2006 | New York Rangers | |
| DVT and PE | Oral anticoagulants (unknown duration) | Protein C deficiency; event after a blocked shot | CE | 2015 | Buffalo Sabres |
| Lovenox injections and then Xarelto indefinitely (did not take on game day) | Protein C deficiency; prior history of lower extremity DVT | 6.87 | 2014b | Philadelphia Flyers | |
| Lovenox injections indefinitely | Prior history DVT/PE | 9.07c | 2014b | Pittsburgh Penguins | |
| Lovenox injections and then oral anticoagulant (6 mo) | Occurred 1 wk after ACL reconstruction | 5.03 | 2014b | Pittsburgh Penguins |
aACL, anterior cruciate ligament; AHL, American Hockey League; CE, career ending; DVT, deep vein thrombosis; IV, intravenous; IVC, inferior vena cava; LE, lower extremity; NHL, National Hockey League; PE, pulmonary embolism; TOS, thoracic outlet syndrome; UE, upper extremity; US, ultrasonography; VTE, venous thromboembolism.
bAthlete with recurrent VTE.
cRetired 3 months after return due to continued blood clot concerns.