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CHAPTER SUMMARY FROM THE PHARMACOTHERAPY HANDBOOK

For the Chapter in the Schwinghammer Handbook, please go to Chapter 14, Venous Thromboembolism.

KEY CONCEPTS

KEY CONCEPTS

  • imageVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is often associated with identifiable risk factors.

  • imageThe diagnosis of suspected VTE should be confirmed by objective testing.

  • imageDuring hospitalization, patients should receive VTE prophylaxis based on the VTE risk factors present and the anticipated duration of risk.

  • imageInitial VTE treatment should include a rapid-acting anticoagulant.

  • imageFor VTE treatment, injectable anticoagulants should be overlapped with warfarin for at least 5 days and until the patient’s international normalized ratio is ≥2.0 for at least 24 hours.

  • imageDirect oral anticoagulants (DOACs) such as apixaban, dabigatran, edoxaban, and rivaroxaban are significant advancements in VTE prevention and treatment.

  • imageMost patients with uncomplicated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE) can be safely treated as outpatients.

  • imageMost patients with VTE should receive 3 months of anticoagulation therapy; treatment beyond 3 months should be based on the risk of VTE recurrence and bleeding as well as patient preferences.

  • imageOptimal anticoagulant therapy management requires knowledge of pharmacologic and pharmacokinetic characteristics as well as a systematic management approach with ongoing patient education.

BEYOND THE BOOK

BEYOND THE BOOK

Visit the National Blood Clot Alliance: Stop The Clot website and read the stories of at least five different patients (https://www.stoptheclot.org/patient-stories/). These stories are useful to enhance student understanding regarding the impact of VTE and its treatment on the lives of patients and their families.

INTRODUCTION

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a potentially fatal disorder and a significant health problem in our aging society.1 VTE results from clot formation within the venous circulation and manifests as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) (Fig. 38-1).1 DVT is rarely fatal, but PE can result in death within minutes of symptom onset before effective treatment can be given. Late VTE complications, such as the postthrombotic syndrome and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH), also cause substantial morbidity.1 Identifying VTE risk factors is important for targeting patients at high risk for VTE who would most benefit from VTE prevention strategies.2,3

Rapid and accurate diagnosis is critical to making appropriate treatment decisions when VTE is suspected.4 Optimal prevention and treatment of VTE using anticoagulant drugs requires an in-depth knowledge of their pharmacology and pharmacokinetic properties, and a comprehensive approach to patient management.5 Bleeding is a common and serious complication of anticoagulant therapy.5

EPIDEMIOLOGY

VTE is associated with a significant global disease burden.6 The incidence rate of symptomatic first VTE is estimated at 132 per 100,000 patient-years and occurs more frequently in women (55.6%).7...

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