Deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, the epidemiologically most important forms of thrombo- embolic disease still remain one of the most serious problems in medicine. The authors summarize some epidemiological data, the incidence and risk of the disease with regard to the patient s condition and the type of insult. The authors mention possible methods of non-specific prevention, types and effectiveness of specific primary and secondary pharmacoprophylaxis and describe physical prophylactic methods. The review offers recommendations for prevention with regard to the assessed risk of the patient and type of insult with special attention to the use of nadroparine.

        Key words: deep venous thrombosis O pulmonary embolism O incidence O risk O prevention