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Thromb Haemost 2006; 96(03): 258-266
DOI: 10.1160/TH06-05-0235
Theme Issue Article
Schattauer GmbH

New concepts in optimal management of anticoagulant therapy for extended treatment of venous thromboembolism

Sam Schulman
1   Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and Coagulation Unit, Department of Hematology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Mats Ögren
2   Department of Vascular Surgery, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 03 May 2006

Accepted after resubmission 01 August 2006

Publication Date:
30 November 2017 (online)

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Summary

Recent trials on secondary prophylaxis after venous thromboembolism (VTE) have provided a wealth of data on the risk factors for recurrence and, to some extent, also for bleeding. Some of the results are consistent across the studies, but there are also conflicting data. Certain risk factors, such as pulmonary embolism versus deep vein thrombosis or presence of cardiolipin antibodies, have a more pronounced influence on the risk early in the course of disease. Others, such as hereditary throm- bophilic defects, seem to gain importance over many years of follow-up. Therefore, it can be difficult to make decisions on an individual patient basis. In this article,data from important and illustrative trials have been extracted and compared and controversies highlighted. The conclusions drawn should help clinicians make balanced decisions on the optimal duration of anticoagulation after an episode of VTE.

Keywords

Venous thromboembolism - risk factors - recurrence - bleeding
 

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