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

  • Minor Cuts and Bleeding on Blood Thinners

    When a patient on warfarin bleeds more than usual it is important to make sure that the INR is not above the desired (therapeutic) range.  If the INR is too high, i.e. the blood is too thin, warfarin may have to be interrupted; if it is very high vitamin K sometimes has to be given…

  • Eliquis (Apixaban) News – Plus Update On The Big Four New Oral Anticoagulants

    There is a lot of appropriate interest and excitement today about one of the four new blood thinners in development – Apixaban (Eliquis). Data from the large atrial fibrillation trial called ARISTOTLE were published today and show that the drug is more effective and safer than warfarin in patients with atrial fibrillation [ref 1].  This…

  • Pregnancy and Blood Clots: Prevention, Diagnosis, Treatment

    A new guideline about the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of DVT and PE associated with pregnancy was published today by ACOG (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists) in its respected series of Practice Bulletins.  The bulletin also takes detailed reference to prevention of blood clots in pregnant women with thrombophilia.

  • Being on Blood Thinners: How Do I Know I am Bleeding?

    Emily Hawes, UNC School of Pharmacy, writes…  Patients on blood thinners are at increased risk for bleeding.  This can be easy to recognize external bleeding (bruising, bleeding from a cut, nosebleeds, etc.) or more occult internal bleeding.  Patients need to know how to recognize abnormal bleeding.  If any of the below signs of abnormal bleeding occur patients need…

  • Tattoos and Blood Thinners

    At times, individuals who are on blood thinners are considering getting a tattoo.  I am not aware of any medical publication assessing the amount of bleeding that were to occur if a patient got a tattoo while on warfarin or other blood thinners.

  • Thrombophilia and Insurance

    Liz Varga, Certified Genetic Counselor, Nationwide Children’s Hospital, Columbus OH writes…. Some people may have concerns about genetic testing for clotting disorders (thrombophilias) for fear of genetic discrimination.  Fortunately in the United States, we have laws in place that can alleviate this concern.

  • North American Meeting on Clotting and Bleeding

    A major North American thrombosis & hemostasis  conference will take place May 3-5, 2012, in Chicago at the Hyatt Regency.  This meeting is mostly geered towards health care professionals of various specilaties  interested in and taking care of patients with thrombotic and bleeding disorders.  However, there is also a small patient education track – the content is still being…

  • DVT: Long-Term Damage – Post-Thrombotic Syndrome

    While many people who have a DVT in a leg or arm recover completely, others can be left with some chronic symptoms: leg or arm swelling, pain, aching, heaviness, and cramping are some of the symptoms. These symptoms, in the case of a leg DVT, are typically worse after standing for a long time, and may…