Title, Authors, Source Information Summary of Findings
(1)Wells, B. G., DiPiro, J. T. Schwinghammer, C. V. DiPiro. Venous Thromboembolism. In: Pharmacotherapy Handbook. 9th ed. USA: McGraw-Hill.2015. Chapter 14 pages 125-134. This book explains the pathophysiology of venous thromboembolism and appropriate treatment measures.
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) results from clot formation in the venous circulation that is confirmed as DVT or pulmonary embolism. When a blood clot (thrombus) is formed in more than one of the deep veins in the legs Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) occurs. This condition can cause leg pain or swelling, but may occur without any symptoms. It is a serious condition because blood clots in your veins can break loose and can travel through your bloodstream and stay in your lungs, blocking blood flow which is known as pulmonary embolism.…show more content… Risk factors for DVT include: Inheriting a blood-clotting disorder, long bed rest, or paralysis, injury or surgery, pregnancy, birth control pills or even hormone replacement therapy, overweight, smoking, cancer, heart failure, inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (PE), and age > 60 years.
Anticoagulation is the primary treatment of deep vein thrombosis. This chapter mainly focus on warfarin (~7 days to 3 months) and rivaroxaban (rapidly-acting anticoagulant ~ 7 days). Warfarin is used as a maintenance therapy and alternatively, oral rivaroxaban may be initiated in select