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Most Patients at Risk for Deep-Vein Thrombosis not Receiving Preventive Treatment

BOSTON, MA -- January 15, 2004 -- In the largest national analysis to date on the topic, researchers at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) have found that the majority of patients at risk for deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and its serious accompaniment, pulmonary embolism (PE), are not receiving preventive treatment. Despite recent research publicizing the proven benefits of blood thinning drugs and other approaches such as mechanical devices, preventive measures still appear to be significantly underutilized. The findings are outlined in the January 15 issue of The American Journal of Cardiology.

"We are fortunate that recent advances have afforded us new tools and resources to help prevent DVT, yet our study indicates that routine prevention is not being widely implemented," said lead author Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, researcher and director of the Venous Thromboembolism Research Group and Anticoagulation Service at BWH. "It appears there is a disconnect between evidence and execution as it relates to DVT prevention and given the severity of the disease, this is cause for concern."

DVT is a medical condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, causing circulation problems. High-risk groups include elderly hospitalized patients and those who have had recent surgery, cancer or previous blood clots. According to the American Heart Association, DVT occurs in approximately two million people a year. Deep vein clots, often caused by restricted mobility, can migrate to the lungs, blocking the pulmonary artery - - this medical condition, known as PE, is the third leading cause of death in the United States.

In their survey of over 5,000 people with DVT, the research team, including co-lead investigator, Victor Tapson, MD, Representative, American College of Chest Physicians and Director, Duke University Medical Center, found that 71 percent of patients received no prophylaxis, such as the blood thinning drugs unfractionated heparin, low molecular weight heparin or warfarin, within 30 days prior to diagnosis. Yet, administration of these medications has been shown to halve the risk of DVT.

"The bottom line is that every patient admitted to the hospital should be considered at risk for DVT and preventive measures should be considered the standard of care," noted Goldhaber, also of Harvard Medical School. "These data support the need to screen more widely and consider use of proven prophylaxis that can stop the disease from occurring."

The study was supported by Aventis Pharmaceuticals Inc.


SOURCE: Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH)

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