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

Aspirin – Does it Prevent DVT and PE?

To some degree it does, but it is by far not as effective as warfarin or other anticoagulants. However, a very noteworthy study was presented today

December 12, 2011
10 Ways to Communicate Better with your Doctor at your Next Office Visit

Beth Waldron, Program Director of Clot Connect writes… Research has shown that effective communication between a patient and their doctor can improve the patient’s health outcome.[i] If you have been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or pulmonary embolism (PE), you understandably have many questions. In an ideal world, a health care provider would have…

November 14, 2011
Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) Approved For A. Fib

Today the FDA approved Xarelto (Rivaroxaban) for atrial fibrillation. 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 Venous Thromboembolism Xarelto is NOT approved at this point for treatment of DVT or PE

November 4, 2011
VTE Prevention in Hospitalized Patients: New ACP Guideline

A new guideline was published this week about venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis in hospitalized medical sick patients and in stroke patients [link here; ref 1]. The key points of this guideline,

November 4, 2011
Alcohol and Warfarin or Pradaxa

A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin. Is it o.k. for me to drink alcohol? Does alcohol intake increase the INR?” Does drinking alcohol change the INR in the patient on warfarin?

October 26, 2011
Phytoestrogens (Plant Estrogens)

Phytoestrogens (plant estrogen preparations) are sometimes used in the attempt to improve perimenopausal symptoms, such as hot flashes, night sweats, vaginal dryness or mood swings. They are plant-derived estrogens, chemically similar (even though distincly different) to human and animal estrogens

October 18, 2011
Acrocyanosis

Case Presentation A 28-year-old woman presents with progressive painless reddish-purple discoloration of both feet over one year. Symptoms started one year prior when she noticed that the creases of her toes were somewhat more purplish discolored.

October 14, 2011
Blood or Organ Donation: The Patient on Anticoagulants or with Thrombophillia

A patient may ask: “I am on warfarin – can I donate blood?” Your answer: “No”. A person on an anticoagulant will not be accepted as a blood donor

October 12, 2011