Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the recurrence rate after deep calf-vein thrombosis treated with 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation. DESIGN AND SUBJECTS: A 2 year follow-up of 126 consecutive patients admitted to the Department of Internal Medicine with venographically verified deep calf-vein thrombosis. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty-six patients were treated with warfarin for 6 weeks, 18 of them having had a previous episode of venous thrombosis (DVT). Eleven patients (8.7%) suffered a recurrent thromboembolic episode within 2 years, four of which were within the first 3 months. Eight of those without a history of DVT had a recurrence (7.4%). Three of these were activated protein C (APC)-resistant, one was protein C-deficient and one had malignant melanoma. Eight patients (6.3%) reported minor haemorrhagic complications, but no major bleeding was seen. CONCLUSION: Our data support the use of a 6 week regimen of secondary oral prophylaxis after a first episode of deep calf-vein thrombosis in patients without a permanent risk factor. Whether individuals with inherited thrombophilia require prolonged treatment remains to be evaluated.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 79-82 |
| Journal | Journal of Internal Medicine |
| Volume | 244 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 |
Bibliographical note
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015.The record was previously connected to the following departments: Medical Radiology Unit (013241410), Clinical Coagulation Research Unit (013242510), Emergency medicine/Medicine/Surgery (013240200)
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Cardiac and Cardiovascular Systems
- Radiology, Nuclear Medicine and Medical Imaging
- Clinical Medicine
Keywords
- calf-vein thrombosis
- oral anticoagulation
- recurrence rate