[Initial treatment of venous thromboembolic events]

Rev Prat. 2007 Apr 15;57(7):751-7.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Initial treatment of venous thromboembolic events is currently based on antithrombotics. This treatment is validated and identical for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. For distal DVT, this treatment has still to be validated. This reference therapeutic strategy is firstly parenteral and based on low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) or fondaparinux, subcutaneously prescribed at fixed dosage based on body weight without any systematic dose adjustment on hemostasis tests. Unfractionated heparin is steel the reference treatment in case of severe renal insufficiency. This parenteral treatment has to be relieved by vitamin K antagonists (VKA). VKA has to be co-administrated for at least 3 days, without any loading dose and can be early initiated. VKA dose needs to be adjusted in order to maintain INR between 2 and 3. However, in case of cancer, LMWH have to be carried on for 6 months. A part this antithrombotic treatment, thrombolytics are recommended in case of massive PE and vena cava filter should be used in case of recurrence despite adequate antithrombotic treatment or in case of contraindication to antithrombotic.

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Antifibrinolytic Agents / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Factor X / administration & dosage
  • Factor X / therapeutic use
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Fondaparinux
  • Heparin / therapeutic use
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / administration & dosage
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Injections, Intravenous
  • Injections, Subcutaneous
  • International Normalized Ratio
  • Polysaccharides / administration & dosage
  • Polysaccharides / therapeutic use
  • Pulmonary Embolism / drug therapy
  • Pulmonary Embolism / therapy
  • Renal Insufficiency / complications
  • Thromboembolism / drug therapy
  • Thromboembolism / therapy
  • Vena Cava Filters
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Venous Thrombosis / therapy
  • Vitamin K / antagonists & inhibitors

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Antifibrinolytic Agents
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight
  • Polysaccharides
  • Vitamin K
  • Factor X
  • Heparin
  • Fondaparinux