Women may stop anticoagulants after blood clotsAugust 26, 2008Women may safely discontinue oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) after 6 months of treatment following a first unprovoked venous blood clot (thromboembolism) if they have no or one risk factor, concludes a study of 646 participants in a multicentre prospective cohort study http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg417.pdf. Blood clots are common and a potentially fatal condition. For patients with spontaneous blood clots who stop anticoagulation therapy, the risk of a recurrence in the first year is 5% to 27%, yet there is a risk of major bleeding and fatal hemorrhage while continuing anticoagulants. "It may be safe for women who have taken oral anticoagulants for 5-7 months after an unprovoked venous thromboembolism to discontinue therapy if they have 0 or 1 of the following: 1) hyperpigmentation (brown discoloration), edema (swelling) or redness of either leg; 2) a D-dimer level (blood clotting test) of 250ug/L or more while taking warfarin, 3) BMI [body mass index] 30kg/m2; and aged 65 years or more," conclude Dr. Marc Rodger and coauthors. The authors caution that "it appears all men are at high risk of recurrence" and further investigation into risk determination needs to be pursued. In an accompanying commentary http://www.cmaj.ca/press/pg401.pdf, Dr. Clive Kearon (Dr. Clive Kearon, Hamilton Health Sciences, 905-383-2251, kearonc@mcmaster.ca) states that patient preference for the duration of anticoagulant therapy must be considered in deciding whether to continue or discontinue therapy. Canadian Medical Association Journal |
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| Related Anticoagulants Current Events and Anticoagulants News Articles Image-guided treatment for deep venous thrombosis could improve patients' long-term outcomes Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) is a serious condition that involves the formation of a blood clot inside of a deep vein usually in the legs. A patient with DVT is typically treated with anticoagulants (blood thinners) however researchers have found that image-guided interventional radiology procedures may play a more central role in the long-term treatment of DVT. Dabigatran vs. warfarin as long-term anticoagulant therapy in atrial fibrillation The anticoagulant dabigatran is more effective than warfarin in the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation, according to results from the RE-LY study (Randomized Evaluation of Long-term anticoagulant therapY). 4 out of 106 heart replacement valves from pig hearts failed Pig heart valves used to replace defective aortic valves in human patients failed much earlier and more often than expected, says a report from cardiac surgeons at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Is it reasonable to perform polypectomy without interruption of anticoagulation? Currently, patients taking anticoagulants to prevent stroke and blood clots are often recommended to stop these medications in order to perform colonoscopy with removal of polyps. Kidney disease increases the risk of stroke in patients Chronic kidney disease increases the risk of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), the most common type of heart arrhythmia, according to a new study by Kaiser Permanente researchers in the current online issue of Circulation. Research highlights new approaches to prevent blood clots Blood clotting, or coagulation, is an important process that prevents excessive bleeding when a blood vessel is injured. Study Investigates Non-Surgical Placement of a Gore-tex Type Device in the Heart to Stop Recurrent Strokes and Mini-Strokes A study is under way at Rush University Medical Center using a small, soft-patch device made of a Gore-tex-type material - often used to make durable outerwear - to close a common hole found in the heart called a patent foramen ovale (PFO) in order to prevent recurrent strokes and transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) in adults. Statins may prevent miscarriages Hospital for Special Surgery researchers have found that statins may be able to prevent miscarriages in women who are suffering from pregnancy complications caused by antiphospholipid syndrome (APS), according to a study in mice. Safety of antithrombotic treatment in acute coronary syndromes The management of acute coronary syndromes (with or without ST segment elevation) requires the use of anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents (aspirin, clopidogrel and/or glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa inhibitors), beta-blockers, thrombolytics in some cases, and revascularization / reperfusion. Researchers design model for automated, wearable artificial kidney Two researchers from UCLA and the Veterans Affairs Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System have developed a design for an automated, wearable artificial kidney, or AWAK, that avoids the complications patients often suffer with traditional dialysis. More Anticoagulants Current Events and Anticoagulants News Articles |
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