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

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  • Is acupuncture safe for anticoagulated patients?

    Beth Waldron, Clot Connect program director writes… Background:  Anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs increase bleeding risk.  Patients taking these drugs are typically advised to avoid activities which might cause increased bleeding, bruising or trauma. Acupuncture involves the insertion of thin needles through the skin at strategic points along the body. These needles are very thin, much…

  • Commercial Airline Pilots and VTE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… Interesting study: Are commercial airline pilots at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) [ref 1]?  One might think so, as air travel is an established, although only weak, risk factor for VTE [ref 2,3].  This study found, however, that the risk of VTE is NOT increased in airline pilots.

  • New study examines psychological impact of pulmonary embolism

    Beth Waldron, Clot Connect Program Director writes…. The physical consequences of thromboembolism (VTE) [=deep vein thrombosis DVT and pulmonary embolism PE] have been extensively reported in the medical literature.  Less documented has been the emotional impact of VTE on patients. This lack of formal study is notable given the extensive research on the psychological impact…

  • Pradaxa (Dabigatran) FDA-Approved for DVT and PE

    Stephan Moll, MD writes…  Today the FDA approved Pradaxa (dabigatran) for the treatment of venous thromboembolism, based on the phase 3 RECOVER and RECOVER II trials.  The dose is 150 mg twice daily for patients with a GFR > 30 ml/min.  Due to the design of the RECOVER and RECOVER II trials, the drug is approved…

  • How Long is the Post-Partum Period in Respect to Thrombosis Risk?

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… A recent NEJM study (ref 1) examined whether the risk for thrombosis in women persists beyond the first 6 weeks after delivery.  It found that an increased risk persists for at least 3 months after delivery, although the absolute risk was low after the first 6 weeks.  This is of clinical…

  • Catheter-Associated DVT of Arm and Neck in Cancer Patients: ISTH Guidance

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… This week (Feb 18th, 2014) a guidance document on the prevention and management of catheter-associated upper extremity (brachial, axillary, subclavian, and brachiocephalic veins) and neck (internal jugular) DVT was published by the International Society for Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) [ref 1].  The authors acknowledge that optimal long-term management of catheter-associated DVT has…

  • Pregnancy, Breastfeeding – Safety of Various Anticoagulants

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… LMWH (low molecular weight heparin) is the preferred anticoagulant in the pregnant patient. LMWH and warfarin are safe in the woman who is beast-feeding. Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), dabigatran (Pradaxa) and apixaban (Eliquis) should not be used during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. A detailed summary about the safety of the various anticoagulants during pregnancy…

  • Moving Fast: 4th Big New Oral Anticoagulant (Edoxaban, Savaysa) Applies For FDA Approval

    Stephan Moll, MD writes… 2014 promises to be quite a year regarding the new oral anticoagulants. On Jan 8th, 2013 the company Daiichi applied for FDA approval for their drug edoxaban (Savaysa®) for 2 indications: (a)  DVT and PE (venous thromboembolism; VTE) treatment, and (b) non-valvular atrial fibrillation and the prevention of systemic arterial thromboembolism.…