title: Current pharmacotherapeutic options for treating deep vein thrombosis.
abstract: The treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) has been evolving over the past 50 years. Initially, unfractionated heparin (UFH) given subcutaneously every 6 h, progressed to constant infusion therapy followed by warfarin, which has become the mainstay of therapy. Over the past 12 years, a new therapy, low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), has proven to be at least as effective or more effective than UFH in the acute treatment of DVT. These drugs are administered subcutaneously, are better absorbed and do not require monitoring. LMWHs have changed the paradigm of caring for patients with DVT. Finally a number of studies with thrombolytic agents have attempted to improve the outcome of DVT by reducing clot burden and preventing the sequelae of thrombotic valvular damage. This paper will review the management of DVT from the acute phase to long-term management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, PA, USA. Geno.Merli@mail.tju.edu
authors.forename: Geno J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Merli
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D006493:Heparin