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Published on: February 10, 2023
How We Manage Pediatric Deep Venous Thrombosis
Marisol Betensky1, Mark A Bittles2, Paul Colombani3
1Pediatric Thrombosis Program, Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, St. Petersburg, Florida; Division of Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland.
Insights
Pediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE) management is evolving due to increased incidence. This article outlines institutional approaches for pediatric VTE treatment, including anticoagulants and thrombolysis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Hematology
- Vascular Medicine
- Critical Care Medicine
Background:
- Increased incidence and recognition of pediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE) over the past two decades.
- Current VTE management guidelines in children rely heavily on registry data, observational studies, or adult data extrapolation.
- Lack of high-quality evidence leads to significant variability in pediatric VTE treatment approaches.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present an institutional framework for managing VTE in children.
- To consolidate available evidence, guidelines, and clinical considerations for pediatric VTE care.
- To provide a comprehensive overview of therapeutic strategies for pediatric VTE.
Main Methods:
- Review of institutional practices for pediatric VTE management.
- Synthesis of existing evidence and clinical guidelines.
- Analysis of various therapeutic options including anticoagulation, thrombolysis, and mechanical methods.
Main Results:
- The article details institutional strategies for pediatric VTE management.
- It covers a range of treatments: conventional anticoagulants, targeted parenteral anticoagulants, direct oral anticoagulants, thrombolysis, and mechanical interventions.
- The approach is based on current evidence and clinical practice considerations.
Conclusions:
- Standardized evidence-based approaches are needed for pediatric VTE management.
- The outlined institutional strategy provides a framework for consistent and effective care.
- Further research is crucial to enhance treatment guidelines for pediatric venous thromboembolism.
Abstract:
Over the past two decades, the incidence and recognition of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in children has significantly increased, likely as a result of improvements in the medical care of critically ill patients and increased awareness of thrombotic complications among medical providers. Current recommendations for the management of VTE in children are largely based on data from pediatric registries and observational studies, or extrapolated from adult data. The scarcity of high-quality evidence-based recommendations has resulted in marked variations in the management of pediatric VTE among providers. The purpose of this article is to summarize our institutional approach for the management of VTE in children based on available evidence, guidelines, and clinical practice considerations. Therapeutic strategies reviewed in this article include the use of conventional anticoagulants, parenteral targeted anticoagulants, new direct oral anticoagulants, thrombolysis, and mechanical approaches for the management of pediatric VTE.
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