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

Category: Therapy

  • Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) – FDA Approved

    On July 1st, the FDA approved the oral blood thinner Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in patients undergoing  knee or hip replacement surgery.

  • Apixaban (Eliquis): Good News

    Eliquis (Apixaban) is one of the 4 promising new oral anticoagulants that (a) do not require routine monitoring of its anticoagulant effect and (b) work independently of the vitamin K pathway.

  • Eliquis (Apixaban) – Good News

    Eliquis (Apixaban) is one of the 4 promising new oral “blood thinners” that (a) do not require monitoring of its “blood thinning” (anticoagulant) effect, i.e. do not require INR monitoring, and (b) do not interfere with vitamin K in the diet, i.e. patients can eat what they want.

  • Starting Pradaxa – Checklist

    What topics need to be discussed with the patient who wants to start Pradaxa (Dabigatran)? A structured, bulleted checklist may be helpful in your discussion with the patient, to make sure all relevant points are addressed. A suggested list is here.

  • Starting Pradaxa? – Checklist

    What topics do you need to discuss with your physican or anticoagulation clinic pharmacist or nurse when you are considering starting Pradaxa (Dabigatran)? A structured, bulleted checklist may be helpful for the discussion, to make sure that all relevant points are addressed. A suggested list is here.

  • Pregnancy Loss and Thrombophilia

    How common is pregnancy loss? What are the causes? Pregnancy loss  in the general population is common. Most losses occur in the first trimester. As many as 5 % of women have 2 or more early losses; 1-2 % have 3 or more early losses [ref 1]. Well established risk factors for pregnancy loss are:…

  • Pregnancy Loss and Clotting Disorders

    How common is pregnancy loss? What are the causes? Pregnancy loss (= miscarriage) in the general population is common. Most losses occur in the first trimester. As many as 5 % of women have 2 or more early losses; 1-2 % have 3 or more early losses [ref 1]. Well established risk factors for pregnancy…

  • Coumadin Clinics – Finding One Near You

    If you are on warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®) you need to be followed in a structured way to optimize your warfarin therapy and minimize the risk for bleeding and clotting. The “thinness” of your blood needs to be determined on a regular basis with a test called INR (International Normalized Ratio; also referred to as PT, protime,…