Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2025
28:13
Catheter Ablation in Combination With Left Atrial Appendage Closure for Atrial Fibrillation
Published on: February 26, 2013
33.6K
Can extended anticoagulation prophylaxis after discharge prevent thromboembolism?
Muhammad Nadeem Anwar1, Usman Ahmad Khan1, Laura Elizabeth Morris1
1Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia.
The Journal of Family Practice
|March 8, 2022
Summary
Direct oral anticoagulants effectively prevent blood clots in high-risk, nonsurgical patients after hospital discharge. This meta-analysis confirms the benefits of thromboprophylaxis for this patient group.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Pharmacology
- Clinical medicine
Background:
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant risk for hospitalized patients.
- Nonsurgical patients, particularly those at high risk, face continued VTE risk post-discharge.
- Effective thromboprophylaxis strategies are crucial for improving patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for thromboprophylaxis.
- To assess the benefit of DOACs in high-risk, nonsurgical patients after hospital discharge.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant clinical trials.
- Inclusion of studies focusing on direct oral anticoagulants for VTE prevention.
- Analysis of outcomes in high-risk, nonsurgical patient populations.
Main Results:
- Meta-analysis confirmed a significant benefit of thromboprophylaxis using DOACs.
- DOACs demonstrated effectiveness in reducing VTE events in the studied population.
- The findings support the use of DOACs for extended VTE prophylaxis.
Conclusions:
- Thromboprophylaxis with direct oral anticoagulants is beneficial for high-risk, nonsurgical patients post-discharge.
- DOACs represent an effective option for preventing VTE in this vulnerable group.
- Evidence supports the integration of DOACs into discharge planning for selected patients.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care
42
Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
42
01:30Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management
42
Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
42
01:18Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants
1.4K
Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
1.4K
01:29Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care
60
Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...
60
01:27Pulmonary Embolism III: Nursing Management
62
A pulmonary embolism occurs when a thrombus, amniotic fluid, tumor tissue, fat, or air embolus blocks one or more pulmonary arteries. Effective nursing management and patient education are crucial for improving outcomes and preventing recurrence.Nursing management starts with obtaining a comprehensive patient history, particularly noting any history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Assess for clinical manifestations, including dyspnea, chest pain, crackles, heart murmurs, and signs of right-sided...
62
01:30Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins
968
Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
968