Duration of anticoagulation after venous thromboembolism in real world clinical practice

Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs

“…Recurrence of thrombosis after unprovoked VTE, which would be defined as that which occurs in a patient without known significant risk factors such as major surgery, trauma, or Pharmacology of Heparin and Related Drugs pregnancy in the prior 3 months, has an annual incidence of 5%-10% after the cessation of 3-6 months of anticoagulant therapy (Marcucci et al, 2015). However, a recent analysis concluded that prolonged treatment after VTE in patients with defined and transient risk factors that led to the episode exposes these patients unnecessarily to bleeding risks (Ageno et al, 2015). Current suggestions are that anticoagulant therapy should be for 3 months or indefinitely, given that the active treatment period is complete by 3 months (Agnelli and Becattini, 2008;Kearon and Akl, 2014).…”

Risk factors predictive of occult cancer detection in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism

“…[1][2][3] Unprovoked events, which occur in the absence of a major thrombogenic risk factor, represent approximately 40% of all VTEs. 4 Unprovoked VTEs may be the earliest indication of cancer. 5,6 It was previously demonstrated that between 3.2% and 10.0% of patients presenting with unprovoked VTEs will be subsequently diagnosed with cancer, with the highest risk in the first year after the diagnosis of VTE.…”

Practical Approach to VTE Management in Hospitalized Patients

“…153,154 Major bleeding is noted in multiple trials in patients with extended anticoagulant therapy; therefore, it is important to choose patients appropriately. Patients should be advised to use electric shavers instead of razor blades, which can cause prolonged bleeding while on therapeutic anticoagulation.…”