Pathophysiology and treatment of deep-vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism

The pathophysiology of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) is briefly discussed, and the efficacy, dosage and administration, laboratory monitoring, and adverse effects of thrombolytic agents, heparin, and warfarin are reviewed. Acute therapy of DVT and PE is usually initiated with intravenous heparin; however, thrombolytic agents such as streptokinase and urokinase may be preferred in patients with massive PE or severe DVT when clot lysis rather than clot stabilization is deemed necessary. For DVT or PE, an intravenous loading dose of streptokinase or urokinase is given, followed by a continuous infusion of the drug. Therapy with streptokinase is continued for 24 hours in patients with PE and for 72 hours in those with DVT; urokinase is continued for 12 hours in patients with PE. Monitoring of blood coagulation tests during thrombolytic therapy is recommended primarily for ensuring that a lytic state is achieved. Intravenous heparin is preferred for acute treatment of DVT or PE; controversy exists regarding whether administration by continuous infusion or intermittent bolus injection is superior. Heparin dosage is usually adjusted to maintain the activated partial-thromboplastin time (APTT) ratio between 1.5 and 2.5; however, the ideal therapeutic range has never been firmly established. After acute treatment with heparin, most patients should continue to receive either warfarin or subcutaneous heparin for several months to prevent recurrent thromboembolism. Bleeding is the major adverse effect of thrombolytic agents and anticoagulants. The risk of bleeding with heparin and warfarin therapy increases with excessive prolongation of the APTT and prothrombin time (PT), respectively. Future clinical trials should further define the role of thrombolytic agents in the treatment of DVT and PE and the efficacy of less-intense warfarin therapy for pulmonary embolism or arterial thromboembolic events.