VTE or Venous thromboembolism is a blood clot that forms in the vein. It is the process when blood clots occur and travel through the veins. VTE is the collective term for DVT and PE. While DVT or deep venous thromboembolism is less serious, PE or pulmonary embolism can be fatal.
Deep venous thromboembolism involves the vein usually in the leg and pelvis causing swelling and discomfort. On the hand, pulmonary embolism is a serious condition when the arteries of the heart leading to the lungs are blocked. This may cause chest pain, shortness of breath and even coughing up of blood.
In May 5, 2011, the FDA posted an alert about the Drospirenone containing OC causing a risk for venous thromboembolism. Compared to levonorgestrel containing pills, (another progestin), Drospirenone has a greater risk of 2 to 3 times. Two recent studies have coincided, but since others studies did not report the same result, the FDA is still evaluating this issue.
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