Metabolic pathways in deep vein thrombosis: a new frontier for therapeutic intervention

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, is a common cardiovascular disorder associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Current treatment options primarily involve anticoagulants, which reduce the risk of fatal events and DVT recurrence but increase the risk of bleeding, particularly in people requiring prolonged thromboprophylaxis. Growing evidence characterizes DVT as a complex inflammation-driven process rather than a merely coagulation-dependent thrombosis, with endothelial cells, neutrophils, and platelets playing major roles in its initiation. Recent studies demonstrate that these cell types undergo profound metabolic reprogramming in response to stasis, hypoxia, and inflammatory stimuli, including shifts in glycolysis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and redox balance. This review summarizes current insights into these metabolic adaptations, examines evidence from preclinical DVT models showing that targeting metabolic pathways can reduce venous thrombus formation without impairing hemostasis, and highlights potential metabolic targets for intervention. By modulating metabolic pathways that underlie the prothrombotic and proinflammatory phenotypes, it may be possible to prevent DVT initiation or limit its progression while reducing the reliance on anticoagulants and the risk of associated bleeding complications. This metabolism-centered perspective opens new avenues for the development of safer, more effective treatments for DVT.