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: Uncategorized

  • 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…

  • 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…

  • Athletes and Blood Clots

    Stephan Moll, MD writes: Athletes with DVT or PE and on anticoagulation face significant challenges returning to full athletic activities. A recent publication of the American College of Cardiology discusses individualized management regimens that may return athletes to return to their sport – http://www.bit.ly/2erRLc0.   Last updated: Oct 30th, 2016

  • NO FDA Approval Yet for Andexanet

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… The FDA did NOT approve Andexanet (brand names: AndexXa™ in the US, IndexXa™ in Europe) in a decision on August 18th, 2016.  Andexanet is the antidote in clinical development to reverse the anticoagulant effect of Eliquis® (rivaroxaban), Savaysa® (edoxaban), Xarelto® (rivaroxaban) and Lovenox® (enoxaparin).  The FDA is said to have requested more information from…

  • Heavier Menstrual Bleeding on Xarelto?

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting and noteworthy observations published in the last 2 weeks:  Heavy menstrual bleeding appears to occur more commonly with Xarelto® than with warfarin [ref 1] and may be also more common with Xarelto® than with Eliquis® [ref 2].

  • Contraceptive Use While on Anticoagulants is Safe

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting and clinically relevant publication this week [ref 1].  It is well known that estrogens and certain progestin preparations increase the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE).  A woman on an anticoagulant may have heavy menstrual bleeds and hormonal therapy – such as estrogen-progestin contraceptives – may be considered to decrease the bleeding.…

  • Bleeding on Antithrombotics: Reversal Protocol 2016

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Our medical center (University of North Carolina Hospitals,  Chapel Hill)  has put together a comprehensive “Emergent Anticoagulation Reversal Guideline” for our local use, updated since its last edition in 2014 with information about Pradaxa® reversal (with Praxbind®).  It is  a practical, clinical how-to document (2016 PDF here ). Colleagues and hospitals are welcome to take the…

  • IVC Filters, May-Thurner Syndrome, Pelvic Vein Stents

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… An article for patients discussing (a) IVC filters, (b) narrowing of the main left pelvic vein (May-Thurner syndrome) and (c) pelvic venous stents has just been published (http://circ.ahajournals.org/content/133/6/e383.full.pdf).  Color images of anatomy, filters and stents are included as visual aids.  The article may be helpful as handout material for patients in…