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

  • Alcohol and Warfarin or Pradaxa

    A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin.  Is it o.k. for me to drink alcohol?  Does alcohol intake increase the INR?”   Does drinking alcohol change the INR in the patient on warfarin?

  • Phytoestrogens (Plant Estrogens)

    Phytoestrogens (plant estrogen preparations) are sometimes used in the attempt to improve perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or mood swings.  They are plant-derived estrogens, chemically similar (even though distincly different) to human and animal estrogens

  • Acrocyanosis

    Case Presentation A 28-year-old woman presents with progressive painless reddish-purple discoloration of both feet over one year. Symptoms started one year prior when she noticed that the creases of her toes were somewhat more purplish discolored.

  • Blood or Organ Donation: The Patient on Anticoagulants or with Thrombophillia

    A patient may ask:  “I am on warfarin – can I donate blood?”  Your answer:  “No”.  A person on an anticoagulant will not be accepted as a blood donor

  • Hip and Knee Replacement Surgery – DVT Prophylaxis – AAOS Guideline

    Two main guidelines exist which many physicians go by to decide whether a particular patient should get DVT prophylaxis after hip or knee replacement surgery, what method (compression device, or pharmacologic agent) to use, and for how long to give prophylaxis.  (a) One is the ACCP guideline (American College of Chest Physicians), last published in June 2008…

  • Yasmin, Yaz and Other Drospirenone Contraceptives: Risk for VTE

    It has long been known that estrogen-containing birth control preparations (pill, patch, ring) increase the risk for DVT and PE (venous thromboembolism = VTE).  This risk is partially due to the estrogen.  However, part of the risk is also due to the type of progestin in these preparations.

  • Arixtra (Fondaparinux), Generic

    “Is the generic version of Arixtra as safe and effective as brand Arixtra?”  Answer: “Yes”. The FDA evaluated and approved generic fondaparinux made by Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories Ltd. on July 11, 2011

  • Nattokinase

    Your patient may inquire whether he/she can take Nattokinase instead of staying on warfarin to prevent future venous thromboembolism; or what you think about the effectiveness of Nattokianse in preventing a first or recurrent DVT or PE.