Anticoagulant Therapy: Current Status and Shortcomings

ABSTRACT

The field of thromboembolic disease has undergone a major transformation in the past few years. Although it is now accepted that bedside diagnosis is inadequate, how the disease was treated remained relatively stable until low-molecular-weight heparin appeared on the scene. The appearance of this new drug was paralleled by the studies showing that catheter-directed thrombolytic therapy could be useful in clearing thrombus from the deep venous system and preserve both vein patency and valve function. We are currently in the sorting out mode to determine which patients can be treated at home with low-molecular-weight-heparin, which patients need to be hospitalized, and which patients deserve thrombolytic therapy. It is certain that the field will continue to evolve as new antithrombotic drugs appear, and our approaches to treatment will have to be modified again.

KEYWORD

Deep venous thrombosis - treatment - post-thrombotic syndrome

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