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Anticoagulant treatment of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

Huyen Tran1, Simon McRae, Jeffrey Ginsberg

  • 1Department of Medicine, McMaster University Medical Centre, 1200 Main Street West, Room 3X28, Hamilton, Ontario L8N 3Z5, Canada.

Cardiology Clinics
|April 15, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Venous thromboembolism incidence rises with age. Anticoagulant therapy is effective for all ages but requires careful monitoring in older adults to balance bleeding risks against benefits.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiovascular Medicine
  • Geriatrics
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Venous thrombosis is a prevalent condition.
  • Increasing mean population age correlates with a higher incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy in VTE patients, particularly older adults.

Main Methods:

  • This is a review of existing literature on venous thromboembolism and anticoagulant therapy.
  • Analysis of treatment outcomes and risks in different age groups.

Main Results:

  • Anticoagulant therapy demonstrates equal effectiveness in both younger and older patients.
  • This treatment significantly reduces VTE-associated morbidity and mortality across all age demographics.

Conclusions:

  • Long-term oral anticoagulant therapy is a viable option for managing VTE in older patients.
  • Ongoing monitoring is crucial in elderly individuals to ensure bleeding risks do not exceed antithrombotic advantages.

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