Role of Antiplatelet Drugs in Deep Vein Thrombosis

Abstract

Background: Acute and chronic venous diseases are the most prevalent medical conditions worldwide. Acute venous thromboembolism is a serious and frequently lethal disease, whereas chronic venous insufficiency can be the source of discomfort, disability and loss of working days. Deep vein thrombosis and its further complications are very well known. Despite the best possible management, morbidity and mortality cannot be prevented in all. Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery of a super-specialty hospital. All the patients admitted in the department, referred from or examined in other departments, and attended in our outpatient department, irrespective of age, sex, disease, and who followed the department for at least one year were included in the study. Vascular doppler of the affected limb was the investigation of choice. Acenocaumarol, aspirin were the commonly used anticoagulant and antiplatelet drugs Results: 13.66% of the patients never came for follow up, 12.94% were managed by other departments, 58.82% were from the inpatient and 41.17 from the outpatient department. Pain and edema limb were the most common symptoms. Vascular doppler helped confirming diagnosis in all. Parenteral anticoagulants during the early course of treatment, simultaneous addition of oral anticoagulant drugs, were the first line of treatment. Oral anticoagulants combined with antiplatelet drugs was the commonly used combination in majority of the patients. Conclusion: Antiplatelet added right from the inception for first few weeks, and during follow-up, especially in patients at high risk, those who can't effort low molecular weight heparin, those who don't get blood tests regularly and in those who can't effort regular follow up. Low dose antiplatelet drugs help in decreasing progression of the disease and decrease morbidity and mortality.