Ultrasound Findings to Adjust the Duration of Anticoagulation

Summary

Prospective controlled randomized clinical trial. Consecutive patients with acute proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower extremities, with or without contemporary manifestations of pulmonary embolism, are randomized to receive either a fixed duration of anticoagulant therapy (three months in patients with DVT secondary to transitory risk factors, six months in patients with idiopathic DVT) or a flexible duration of anticoagulant therapy, according to the persistence of residual thrombi, as shown by leg veins ultrasonography (up to 1 year in patients with secondary DVT, up to 2 years in those with idiopathic DVT). All patients are followed up to three years to assess the development of (objectively documented) recurrent thromboembolism. The rate of recurrent thromboembolism is compared between the two study groups, as well as the rate of major bleeding complications occurring during anticoagulation.

Timeline

Start

1999-01

Primary completion

2003-06

Completion

2006-06

Publications

• Prandoni P, Prins MH, Lensing AW, Ghirarduzzi A, Ageno W, Imberti D, Scannapieco G, Ambrosio GB, Pesavento R, Cuppini S, Quintavalla R, Agnelli G; AESOPUS Investigators. Residual thrombosis on ultrasonography to guide the duration of anticoagulation in patients with deep venous thrombosis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2009 May 5;150(9):577-85. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-150-9-200905050-00003.

Drugs

Indications