Absence of Residual Vein Thrombosis Permits to Withdrawn Oral Anticoagulants

Summary

Background. The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant treatment in patients with idiopathic Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)of the lower limbs is still uncertain. Residual Vein Thrombosis (RVT) has been found able to establish the patient' risk for recurrent thrombotic events. In the present study we conducted a RVT-based therapeutic strategy, withholding OAT after 3 months in patients without RVT while continuing anticoagulants for at least additional 9 months in those in whom RVT persists. Methods Patients with a first episode of symptomatic unprovoked proximal Vein Thrombosis (VT) were given Oral Anticoagulant Treatment (OAT) for 3 months. Residual Vein Thrombosis (RVT), ultrasonographically-detected, will be then assessed. Patients without RVT did not continue OAT (Group B), whereas those with RVT will continue OAT for at least additional 9 months. Patients were followed-up prospectively focusing on the study outcomes: occurrence of recurrent venous thromboembolism and major bleeding over a period of at least 12 months after OAT discontinuation.

Timeline

Start

1999-06

Primary completion

2006-06

Completion

2008-01

Publications

• Siragusa S, Malato A, Saccullo G, Iorio A, Di Ianni M, Caracciolo C, Coco LL, Raso S, Santoro M, Guarneri FP, Tuttolomondo A, Pinto A, Pepe I, Casuccio A, Abbadessa V, Licata G, Battista Rini G, Mariani G, Di Fede G. Residual vein thrombosis for assessing duration of anticoagulation after unprovoked deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs: the extended DACUS study. Am J Hematol. 2011 Nov;86(11):914-7. doi: 10.1002/ajh.22156. Epub 2011 Sep 22.

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