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

  • Anticoagulation Clinics – Finding One for Your Patient

    Patients on warfarin need to be followed in a systematic way to optimize safety and efficacy of therapy [ref 1]. While smaller-volume physician practices may well have appropriate criteria in place, structured anticoagulation clinics often have the expertise and resources for optimal anticoagulation management. The location of a number of anticoagulation clinics in the U.S.…

  • Pradaxa – What Your Physician/Hospital Wants to Know

    If you are considering to start therapy with the new oral “blood thinner” Pradaxa®, there are a few safety nets that your local hospital and physician may want to establish to make therapy as safe as possible for you. Issues to be addressed are (a) dosing, (b) management of major bleeding, (c) interruption of therapy…

  • Pradaxa (Dabigatran) – Hospital Guideline

    The new oral anticoagulant Pradaxa® (Dabigatran) is increasingly being used as an alternative to warfarin.   A number of practical management questions are now encountered by the physician, pharmacist, or other health care professional taking care of the patient on Pradaxa®, such as (a) dosing in renal impairment, (b) conversion of a patient on warfarin…

  • Pradaxa: Interruption for Colonoscopies, Dental Procedures, Surgery, etc.

    When to stop the drug – General comments The patient on Pradaxa® (Dabigatran) may need interruption of therapy for dental work, a medical procedure such as colonoscopy, or minor or major surgical procedure. As to when exactly to take the last dose of Pradaxa® before the procedure depends on (a) what type of procedure is…

  • Pradaxa – Interruption for Colonoscopy, Dental Work, Surgery, etc.

    When to stop the drug – General comments If you are on Pradaxa® (Dabigatran) you may need interruption of therapy for dental work, a medical procedure such as colonoscopy, or minor or major surgical procedure. As to when exactly to take the last dose of Pradaxa® before the procedure depends on (a) how big a…

  • DVT and PE: How Long to Treat With Anticoagulants?

    Explanation for Patients The complex topic of “Length of Anticoagulant Treatment” for patients with VTE  is being addressed in a blog entry written for patients, found on the Clot Connect patient education blog (here). For the Health Care Professional Well respected treatment guidelines exist [ref 1,2].

  • DVT and PE: How Long to Treat with “Blood Thinners”

    What Kind of Clot did You Have? If you have had a blood clot in your legs or your lung (pulmonary embolism=PE), you will wonder how long you should stay on a “blood thinner”. The decision depends on a number of factors which will be discussed below.

  • Warfarin-Induced Skin Necrosis

    How common is it? Warfarin-induced skin necrosis is a rare complication of warfarin (coumadin®, Jantoven®) therapy. It occurs in approximately 1 of 10,000 patients treated with warfarin. What is it? Patients with warfarin-induced skin necrosis develop very painful skin areas, most commonly in the breasts,