Monthly news about deep vein thrombosis

Low molecular weight heparin

More and more patients presenting with an acute deep vein thrombosis are being managed on an out-patient basis. In the past, when a deep vein thrombosis has been diagnosed, it has been necessary to admit a patient to hospital to give them intravenous heparin. After a period of several days intravenous heparin, oral anticoagulation is established and patients receive this for periods usually in excess of three months. Low molecular weight heparin has now been approved for the treatment of deep vein thrombosis. Until recently, low molecular weight heparin was used to prevent deep vein thrombosis in patients known to be at risk. The benefits of low molecular weight heparin include the fact that the patient can be treated at home. Clearly not all deep vein thromboses are suitable for this, but if the deep vein thrombosis is confined to the lower part of the leg, then out-patient treatment appears to be effective. The benefits of low molecular weight heparin include ease of administration, relatively simple monitoring and results which are as effective as using standard heparin.

DVT in airline passengers - Stamford study

200 passengers travelling more than eight hours by air have been recruited to a study to assess the overall incidence of deep vein thrombosis and to see if this incidence can be modified by wearing elastic compression stockings. All 200 patients have now been recruited and the results are currently being analysed. The questions that this study will address are:

1) What is the incidence of deep vein thrombosis in passengers travelling by air?

2) Are there any particular risk factors which increase the risk of developing deep vein thrombosis when flying?

3) Do elastic compression stockings influence the incidence of deep vein thrombosis?

4) Do passengers travelling by air show changes in the blood's ability to clot?

5) Do passengers travelling by air have any abnormalities in their blood which might increase the risk of thrombosis?

The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH