A Clearinghouse for Information about Blood Clots (DVT/)PE) and Clotting Disorders (thrombophilia) provided as a public service by the University of North Carolina Blood Research Center

Author: Clot Connect

  • How Often Should the INR be Tested?

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Traditionally, INR testing in patients on warfarin has been recommended by anticoagulation providers in the U.S. to be done at least once every 4 weeks. However, a recent study showed that testing every 3 months is sufficient

  • INR Patient Self-Testing

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… INR testing in patients on warfarin is classically done in a physician’s office or anticoagulation clinic, via (a) i.v. blood draw and central lab testing, or (b) a finger-stick and testing on a POC (point-of-care) device. POC devices give reliable INR results

  • Xarelto and DVT – Approved in Europe

    Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) was approved in Europe today (Dec 19th, 2011) for patients with acute DVT. This is good news

  • ASH 2011: Highlights in Thrombosis and Anticoagulation

    The annual meeting of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) took place in San Diego from Dec 10-13, 2011.  Abstracts on thrombosis and anticoagulation that I found  interesting and clinically relevant  are summarized and put into a clinical perspective in this summary document.  Only one abstract was, in my assessment, clinical-practice-changing – abstract #543: “Aspirin after…

  • Aspirin – Does it Prevent DVT and PE?

    To some degree it does, but it is by far not as effective as warfarin or other anticoagulants. However, a very noteworthy study was presented today

  • 10 Ways to Communicate Better with your Doctor at your Next Office Visit

    Beth Waldron, Program Director of Clot Connect writes… Research has shown that effective communication between a patient and their doctor can improve the patient’s health outcome.[i]  If you have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), you understandably have many questions.  In an ideal world, a health care provider would have…

  • Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Approved For A. Fib

    Today the FDA approved Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) for atrial fibrillation.  The approved dose is 20 mg once daily. The link to the FDA press release is here.  The Xarelto prescribing information can be found here. Xarelto for Venous Thromboembolism Xarelto is NOT approved at this point for treatment of DVT or PE

  • VTE Prevention in Hospitalized Patients: New ACP Guideline

    A new guideline was published this week about venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hospitalized medical sick patients and in stroke patients [link here; ref 1]. The key points of this guideline,