SearchThere are several pharmaceutical options for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis. Limitations of these medications, however, contribute to their underutilisation in many countries.1
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A recent multinational study exposes the scope of the problem: based on standard criteria established by the American College of Chest Physicians, only 59% of surgical patients and 40% of medical patients at risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) received appropriate preventive treatment.2
A review of the efficacy and limitations of current anticoagulant and antiplatelet treatments can provide insight into current practice patterns — and support the pressing need for new approaches to treatment and prevention.3
Current Treatments
VTE prevention: available therapies are underused
Antiplatelet therapy
Antiplatelet agents play a valuable role in primary and secondary prevention of coronary disease. Clinicians must balance the therapeutic benefits with the risks of bleeding.
Current approaches to antithrombotic therapy
A wide array of preventive measures and acute treatments are available to clinicians.
Mechanical devices
Mechanical devices, such as compression stockings, are useful in patients at high risk of bleeding. However, none is considered as effective as drug therapy.3
Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are the current cornerstones of prevention and treatment, but no currently available drug has all the characteristics of an ideal anticoagulant.
- 1 - Lapostolle F, Surget V, Borron SW, et al. Severe pulmonary embolism associated with air travel. N Engl J Med. 2001;345(11):779-783.
- 2 - Moll S, Mackman N. Venous thromboembolism: a need for more public awareness and research into mechanisms. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2008;28(3):367-369.
- 3 - Geerts WH, Bergqvist D, Pineo GF, Heit JA, Samama CM, Lassen MR, and Colwell CW. Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th Edition). Chest. Jun 2008: 381S–453S.
- American College of Chest Physicians
- Multidisciplinary international medical society based in Northbrook, Illinois, USA, that focuses on the treatment and prevention of all diseases of the chest. It has over 16,000 active members with physicians representing all chest medicine disciplines. Publishes the journal Chest.
- Venous thromboembolism
- A condition in which a blood clot (thrombus) forms in a vein, which in some cases then breaks free and enters the circulation as an embolus, finally lodging in and completely obstructing a blood vessel, e.g., in lungs causing a PE. The term encompasses both DVT and PE.
