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

List of posts


  • Stephan Moll, MD writes (last updated: Sept 9th, 2020)… Background:  Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are at increased risk for thrombosis – DVT, PE, and may be pulmonary micro-vascular thrombosis that possibly contributes to respiratory failure; arterial events appear to occur less commonly. Scientific/clinical data on prevalence of thrombosis, best prevention, and optimal therapy are limited.

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  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the

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  • Purple Toe Syndrome

    Warfarin can, in rare instances, cause violaceous painful discoloration of the toes and the sides of the feet, referred to as the “purple toe syndrome” 1 – see photograph below. Occasionally, the hands can also be involved and a net-like skin rash on abdomen and legs (= livedo reticularis) can occur. This typically happens within the

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  • Occasionally, a patient is treated with long-term low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (enoxaparin = Lovenox®; Dalteparin = Fragmin®; Tinzaparin = Innohep®) . LMWH may be given because the patient (a) tolerated warfarin poorly (widely fluctuating INRs; significant side-effects, such as marked hair loss or fatigue), (b) had a recurrent thrombotic event which occured with a therapeutic INR, or

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  • Occasionally, a patient is treated with long-term low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (enoxaparin = Lovenox®; Dalteparin = Fragmin®; Tinzaparin = Innohep®) for months or years. LMWH may be given because the patient (a) tolerated warfarin poorly (widely fluctuating INRs; significant side-effects, such as marked hair loss or fatigue), (b) had a recurrent clot which occured on warfarin with

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  • Hair Loss on Warfarin

    How common is it? Hair loss is a known side effect of warfarin, but has hardly been studied [ref 1]. Solid data on how frequently it occurs, on its time-course, and on treatments are  not available. Mild hair loss appears to be common, severe hair loss uncommon, complete hair loss has not been reported.

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  • Hair Loss on Warfarin

    How common is it? Hair loss is a known side effect of warfarin (Coumadin®, Jantoven®), but has hardly been studied [ref 1]. Solid data on how frequently it occurs, on its time-course, and on treatments are  not available. Mild hair loss appears to be common, severe hair loss uncommon, complete hair loss has not been

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  • Good news.  Another one of the new oral anticoagulants in development,  Apixaban (Eliquis®), has moved forward.  On May 20th, 2011, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Eliquis® for DVT prevention after orthopedic surgery (hip and knee replacement) in the 27 countries of the European Community. In the U.S., however, Eliquis® is still some way away from getting FDA approval

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  • Good news. Another one of the new oral “blood thinners” in development,  Apixaban (Eliquis®), has moved forward. On May 23rd, 2011 the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Eliquis® for marketing in the 27 countries of the European Community for DVT prevention after orthopedic surgery (hip and knee replacement). In the U.S., Eliquis® is not yet FDA approved, and still

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  • Background It is known that the risk for blood clots in the leg (DVT) and lung (PE) is partly inherited. Some genes that increase the risk for DVT and PE are known (e.g. factor V Leiden, the factor II 20210 mutation, protein, protein C, S and antithrombin mutations). However, it is suspected that many other and,

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  • Background Many people think of DVT and PE as a problem occurring in elderly people, but not in young and apparently healthy individuals. While it is certainly true that they occur more commonly in the elderly and in non-athletic overweight individuals, they can, nevertheless, happen in young, normal weight, and athletic people.

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