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

  • Antidotes for the New Oral Anticoagulants: Update

    Stephan Moll, MD writes (on Nov 7th, 2014)… A N Engl J Med publication this week [ref 1] reports on a new reversal agent (PER977 = Aripazine = ciraparantag) that may be effective against a number of different new oral anticoagulants.

  • Xarelto Dosing in Obese Patients

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Is there a dose change or limitation for the use of Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) in very obese or underweight patients?

  • Aspirin Decreases Recurrent DVT and PE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Aspirin is beneficial in preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients who have had a previous episode of unprovoked VTE and who have been treated with anticoagulant therapy, a publication in the journal Circulation re-confirms this week: Aspirin reduces the risk of recurrent VTE by more than a third without significantly increasing the risk…

  • Apixaban (Eliquis) FDA-Approval for DVT and PE Treatment

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Apixaban (Eliquis®) was approved by the FDA this week (Aug 21, 2014) for the treatment of DVT and PE.  The approval covers (a) acute DVT/PE management and (b) prevention of recurrent DVT/PE.

  • Is acupuncture safe for anticoagulated patients?

    Beth Waldron, Clot Connect program director writes… Background:  Anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs increase bleeding risk.  Patients taking these drugs are typically advised to avoid activities which might cause increased bleeding, bruising or trauma. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles through the skin at strategic points along the body. These needles are very thin, much…

  • Commercial Airline Pilots and VTE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting study: Are commercial airline pilots at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) [ref 1]?  One might think so, as air travel is an established, although only weak, risk factor for VTE [ref 2,3].  This study found, however, that the risk of VTE is NOT increased in airline pilots.

  • New study examines psychological impact of pulmonary embolism

    Beth Waldron, Clot Connect Program Director writes…. The physical consequences of thromboembolism (VTE) [=deep vein thrombosis DVT and pulmonary embolism PE] have been extensively reported in the medical literature.  Less documented has been the emotional impact of VTE on patients. This lack of formal study is notable given the extensive research on the psychological impact…

  • Pradaxa (Dabigatran) FDA-Approved for DVT and PE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Today the FDA approved Pradaxa (dabigatran) for the treatment of venous thromboembolism, based on the phase 3 RECOVER and RECOVER II trials.  The dose is 150 mg twice daily for patients with a GFR > 30 ml/min.  Due to the design of the RECOVER and RECOVER II trials, the drug is approved…