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Low recurrence rate after deep calf‐vein thrombosis with 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation
Author(s) -
Astermark J.,
Björgell O.,
Lindén E.,
Lethagen S.,
Nilsson P.,
Berntorp E.
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of internal medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.625
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1365-2796
pISSN - 0954-6820
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2796.1998.00318.x
Subject(s) - medicine , deep vein , thrombosis , surgery , warfarin , venous thrombosis , regimen , thrombophilia , atrial fibrillation
. Astermark J, Björgell O, Lindén E, Lethagen S, Nilsson P, Berntorp E (University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden). Low recurrence rate after deep calf‐vein thrombosis with 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation. J Intern Med 1998; 244 : 79–82. Objectives To evaluate the recurrence rate after deep calf‐vein thrombosis treated with 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation. Design and subjects A 2 year follow‐up of 126 consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine with venographically verified deep calf‐vein thrombosis. Results One hundred and twenty‐six patients were treated with warfarin for 6 weeks, 18 of them having had a previous episode of venous thrombosis (DVT). Eleven patients (8.7%) suffered a recurrent thromboembolic episode within 2 years, four of which were within the first 3 months. Eight of those without a history of DVT had a recurrence (7.4%). Three of these were activated protein C (APC)‐resistant, one was protein C‐deficient and one had malignant melanoma. Eight patients (6.3%) reported minor haemorrhagic complications, but no major bleeding was seen. Conclusion Our data support the use of a 6 week regimen of secondary oral prophylaxis after a first episode of deep calf‐vein thrombosis in patients without a permanent risk factor. Whether individuals with inherited thrombophilia require prolonged treatment remains to be evaluated.