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Cancer and coagulation
Author(s) -
Khorana Alok A.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
american journal of hematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.456
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1096-8652
pISSN - 0361-8609
DOI - 10.1002/ajh.23143
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care medicine , cancer , thrombosis , venous thromboembolism , heparin , anticoagulant , randomized controlled trial , low molecular weight heparin , clinical trial
Thromboembolism, including both venous and arterial events, occurs commonly amongst patients with cancer. The occurrence of thromboembolism has significant consequences for cancer patients, including direct and indirect associations with mortality, morbidity, requirement for long‐term anticoagulant therapy and consumption of healthcare resources. Recent studies have resulted in a better understanding of clinical risk factors and biomarkers of cancer‐associated thrombosis, and a risk assessment model incorporating both has now been validated in multiple settings. Thromboprophylaxis with either unfractionated heparin or low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWHs) has been shown to be safe and effective in high‐risk settings such as hospitalization for medical illness and the postsurgical period. Emerging new data from randomized studies have focused on outpatient prophylaxis, suggesting potential benefits in this setting as well. Treatment of cancer‐associated thrombosis requires long‐term anticoagulation with LMWH. Results from ongoing and planned trials of novel anticoagulants in the cancer setting are awaited. Am. J. Hematol. 2012. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.