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: Stephan Moll

  • COVID-19 Vaccination While on a Blood Thinner

    A. Is it ok for me to get the COVID-19 vaccine? Yes, it is ok to take for pretty much all individuals, no matter whether they have a clotting disorder (=thrombophilia), have had a blood clot (DVT or PE), or are on a blood thinner. Reasons NOT to get the vaccine have to do with…

  • For Health Care Professionals: Preventing Thrombosis in COVID-19 –Anticoagulation Algorithm

    Stephan Moll, MD writes (last updated: Sept 9th, 2020)… Background:  Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for thrombosis – DVT, PE, and may be pulmonary micro-vascular thrombosis that possibly contributes to respiratory failure; arterial events appear to occur less commonly. Scientific/clinical data on prevalence of thrombosis, best prevention, and optimal therapy are limited.…

  • COVID-19 and Coagulopathy – Two Management Guidance Documents For Health Care Professionals

    Dr. Stephan Moll writes (last updated: March 27th, 2020)… Background and Questions: Infection with COVID-19 can lead to a coagulopathy. Are any of the coagulation markers helpful to predict good or bad outcome? Which coagulation tests should be obtained in hospitalized patients? Should the coagulopathy be treated and, if yes, how? Two separate documents were…

  • Use of Eliquis and Xarelto After Gastric Banding or Other Weight Loss Surgery

    Dr. Stephan Moll writes (last updated: March 25th, 2020)… Question: Can a person who needs to be on a blood thinner and who has had gastric banding or gastric bypass surgery for weight loss be on Eliquis®, Xarelto®, Pradaxa®, or Savaysa®? Answer: Warfarin is currently the preferred choice, because the absorption of the direct oral anticoagulants…

  • Acute DVT/ PE and Airline Travel

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Can the patient with acute DVT or PE safely fly, or should he/she wait for a few weeks before embarking on airline travel?  It appears safe to fly early: There is no evidence that flying early after the diagnosis of VTE leads to an increased risk of recurrent VTE or embolization…

  • Antiphospholipid Syndrome: Can the New Oral Anticoagulants Be Used?

    Stephan Moll, MD and Damon Houghton, MD write … In patients with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) who require anticoagulation for the treatment of DVT or PE, warfarin or a low molecular weight heparin have traditionally been used. A question that comes up is whether one of the new oral anticoagulants (DOACs) can be effectively and safely…

  • New Oral Anticoagulant FDA Approved – Bevyxxa (Betrixaban)

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… On June 23, 2017, the FDA approved a 5th new oral anticoagulant for clinical use, Bevyxxa® (= Betrixaban). It is approved to prevent DVT and PE in patients who are significantly immobile during and after hospitalization for an acute medical illness. Full prescribing information: here.  FDA details: here. In the APEX study…

  • Another New Blood Thinner FDA Approved : Xarelto (Rivaroxaban)

    Today the FDA approved Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) for irregular heart beat (= atrial fibrillation = a. fib).  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 Blood Clots in the Veins (DVT and PE)