title: Healthcare burden associated with the post-thrombotic syndrome and potential impact of the new oral anticoagulants.
abstract: Deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) can have a significant impact on a patient's life. In particular, the development of post-thrombotic syndrome as a long-term complication of DVT can have devastating consequences for the individual and impose a substantial economic burden on healthcare systems. Anticoagulants are the mainstay of DVT treatment; however, the current standard of care, a parenteral anticoagulant followed by a vitamin K antagonist, is associated with complex patient management, often resulting in suboptimal therapy. New, oral anticoagulants have been developed, and a direct thrombin inhibitor--dabigatran etexilate--and two direct Factor Xa inhibitors--rivaroxaban and apixaban--have completed and/or have ongoing phase III trials in the treatment of venous thromboembolism. These agents do not have the drawbacks of the vitamin K antagonists and hold promise for more effective treatment of DVT, possibly resulting in a reduction in the incidence of post-thrombotic syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Thromboembolism Unit, Department of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Sciences, University of Padua, Padua, Italy. paoloprandoni@tin.it
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prandoni
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D054070:Postthrombotic Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000191:economics*; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D059039:Standard of Care / Q000191:economics; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants