PTINR.com
Blood clot risk higher, longer than previously thought
PTINR.com Staff
Increased risk of DVT found, the value of home INR testing expands
A December 2009 study published in the British Medical Journal concludes that potentially fatal blood clots after surgery are a much greater risk than had previously been thought.1 This study used data from nearly one million women in the United Kingdom who were tracked for an average of 6.2 years after surgery.
Blood clots also known as venous thrombosis is a common risk following surgery. Blood clots in the lower legs can break loose and enter your pulmonary circulation; this condition is called a pulmonary embolism (PE). Any pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening, emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Surgical procedures requiring hospitalization showed a dramatic risk of dangerous blood clot development, even for surgical procedures with small incisions called minimally invasive procedures including laparoscopic surgery can increase your risk.
Risk profile1
Risks varied widely by surgery type:
Risk of Venous Thromboembolism during 12 weeks of surgery requiring hospital stay
1 in every 140 women
1 in every 45 women for hip or knee replacement
1 in every 85 women for cancer surgery
Risk of Venous Thromboembolism w/out hospital stay
1 in every 815 women
Risk Venous Thrombosis during a 12 week period for women who did not have surgery
1 in every 6200 women
The risk not only was higher than previously thought but the length of time women remained at risk continued up to and perhaps past 12 weeks. "This is a really great study, based on its scale and rigor," said Dr. Daniel J. Brotman, associate professor of medicine and director of the hospitalist program at Johns Hopkins Hospital, who has studied venous thrombosis. "It gives more specific data than ever before on the different types of surgery and the time line on thrombosis risk after surgery."2
The study suggests extending treatment with warfarin (Coumadin ®) (Coumadin®); "the implication of this study is that treatment is required for the longer term, weeks or months after surgery. This suggests we should be thinking about sending patients out of the hospital with [precautionary treatment] extended for weeks, the longest previous studies of venous thrombosis prevention after surgery have been for no more than four weeks."2
If you’ve been placed on life-long warfarin (Coumadin®) for recurring blood clots or a pulmonary embolism, Home INR Testing may be right for you. Home testing allows you to test your Coumadin®4 levels in the privacy of your home in accordance with your physician’s instructions. To start testing at home, physician prescription is required and is complimentary to your routine medical care. Weekly testing is a proven frequency to reduce bleeding and stroke risk.3 If you have any questions about Home INR Testing, including insurance coverage, please call 800-298-4515.
1. Jane Green, M.D., clinical epidemiologist, University of Oxford, England; Alexander Cohen, M.D.,
honorary consultant vascular physician, Kings College Hospital, London, England
2. Daniel J. Brotman, M.D., professor, medicine, director, hospitalist program, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore
3. Heneghan C., et al. (2006). Self-monitoring of oral anticoagulation: a systematic
review and meta-analysis. Lancet, 367, 404-11.
4. Coumadin® is a registered trademark of the Bristol-Myers Squibb Company