Optimal duration of treatment in surgical patients with calf venous thrombosis involving one or more veins

Angiology. 2006 Aug-Sep;57(4):418-23. doi: 10.1177/0003319706290745.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate different durations of treatment in patients with calf venous thrombosis (CVT) involving 1 or more deep veins. The authors studied 2 groups of patients with postsurgical CVT diagnosed by echo-color Doppler. The first group consisted of 68 patients with CVT involving a single vein, and the second group consisted of 124 patients with CVT involving 2 or more veins. Immediately after diagnosis, all patients were treated with nadroparin calcium and sodium warfarin. Heparin treatment was withdrawn after 5-6 days of treatment, when the international normalized ratio (INR) was stabilized between 2 and 3. Each group was divided into 2 subgroups receiving anticoagulation treatment for 6 or 12 weeks, respectively. The endpoint was proximal extension of the thrombotic lesion, defined as the extension of the thrombus to the popliteal and/or femoral vein. In patients with single-vessel CVT there was no significant difference between the 2 subgroups, whereas in patients with CVT involving 2 or more vessels, a statistically significant difference was observed, the number of cases showing proximal extension of the thrombus being higher among patients treated for 6 weeks. Twelve weeks of anticoagulation treatment is better than 6 weeks only in patients with postsurgical CVT involving 2 or more veins.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Leg / blood supply*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nadroparin / administration & dosage
  • Nadroparin / therapeutic use
  • Postoperative Complications*
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color
  • Venous Thrombosis / diagnostic imaging
  • Venous Thrombosis / drug therapy*
  • Warfarin / administration & dosage
  • Warfarin / therapeutic use

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Nadroparin
  • Warfarin