Thromboembolism medical therapy
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Medical Therapy
A. Deep Venous Thrombosis
Hospitalization
Treatment at home is an option according to a meta-analysis by the Cochrane Collaboration.[1]
Hospitalization should be considered in patients with more than two of the following risk factors as these patients may have more risk of complications during treatment[2]:
- bilateral deep venous thrombosis
- renal insufficiency
- body weight <70 kg
- recent prolonged immobility
- chronic heart failure
- cancer
Anticoagulation
Anticoagulation is the usual treatment for DVT. In general, patients are initiated on a brief course (i.e., less than a week) of heparin treatment while they start on a 3- to 6-month course of warfarin (or related vitamin K inhibitors). Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is preferred,[3] though unfractionated heparin is given in patients who have a contraindication to LMWH (e.g., renal failure or imminent need for invasive procedure). In patients who have had recurrent DVTs (two or more), anticoagulation is generally "life-long." The Cochrane Collaboration has meta-analyzed the risk and benefits of prolonged anti-coagulation.[4]
An abnormal D-dimer level at the end of treatment might signal the need for continued treatment among patients with a first unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis.[5]
Thrombolysis
Thrombolysis is generally reserved for extensive clot, e.g. an iliofemoral thrombosis. Although a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by the Cochrane Collaboration shows improved outcomes with thrombolysis,[6] there may be an increase in serious bleeding complications.
Compression stockings
Elastic compression stockings should be routinely applied "beginning within 1 month of diagnosis of proximal DVT and continuing for a minimum of 1 year after diagnosis".[3] Starting within one week may be more effective.[7] The stockings in almost all trials were stronger than routine anti-embolism stockings and created either 20-30 mm Hg or 30-40 mm Hg. Most trials used knee-high stockings. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials by the Cochrane Collaboration showed reduced incidence of post-phlebitic syndrome.[8] The number needed to treat is quite potent at 4 to 5 patients need to prevent one case of post-phlebitic syndrome.[9]
B. Pulmonary Embolism
Emergency treatment at a hospital is necessary to treat pulmonary embolism.
References
- ↑ Othieno R, Abu Affan M, Okpo E (2007). "Home versus in-patient treatment for deep vein thrombosis". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (3): CD003076. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD003076.pub2. PMID 17636714.
- ↑ Trujillo-Santos J, Herrera S, Page MA; et al. (2006). "Predicting adverse outcome in outpatients with acute deep vein thrombosis. findings from the RIETE Registry". J. Vasc. Surg. 44 (4): 789–93. doi:10.1016/j.jvs.2006.06.032. PMID 16926081.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Snow V, Qaseem A, Barry P; et al. (2007). "Management of venous thromboembolism: a clinical practice guideline from the American College of Physicians and the American Academy of Family Physicians". Ann. Intern. Med. 146 (3): 204–10. PMID 17261857.
- ↑ Hutten BA, Prins MH (2006). "Duration of treatment with vitamin K antagonists in symptomatic venous thromboembolism". Cochrane database of systematic reviews (Online) (1): CD001367. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001367.pub2. PMID 16437432.
- ↑ Palareti G, Cosmi B, Legnani C; et al. (2006). "D-dimer testing to determine the duration of anticoagulation therapy". N. Engl. J. Med. 355 (17): 1780–9. doi:10.1056/NEJMoa054444. PMID 17065639.
- ↑ Watson L, Armon M. "Thrombolysis for acute deep vein thrombosis". Cochrane Database Syst Rev: CD002783. PMID 15495034.
- ↑ Prandoni P, Lensing AW, Prins MH; et al. (2004). "Below-knee elastic compression stockings to prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome: a randomized, controlled trial". Ann. Intern. Med. 141 (4): 249–56. PMID 15313740.
- ↑ Kolbach D, Sandbrink M, Hamulyak K, Neumann H, Prins M. "Non-pharmaceutical measures for prevention of post-thrombotic syndrome". Cochrane Database Syst Rev: CD004174. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD004174.pub2. PMID 14974060.
- ↑ Kakkos S, Daskalopoulou S, Daskalopoulos M, Nicolaides A, Geroulakos G (2006). "Review on the value of graduated elastic compression stockings after deep vein thrombosis". Thromb Haemost. 96 (4): 441–5. PMID 17003920.