title: Should patients with chronic liver disease receive venous thromboembolism prophylaxis?
abstract: Chronic liver disease has long been considered the prime example of acquired bleeding disorders due to its associated coagulopathies, namely elevated international normalized ratio (INR) and thrombocytopenia. Recent evidence has shown that patients with chronic liver disease also are at risk for hospital-acquired venous thromboembolism (VTE). The safety and efficacy of low-dose anticoagulants for VTE prophylaxis have not been firmly established in this patient population. However, recent studies also indicate pharmacologic VTE prophylaxis can be used with caution in hospitalized patients with chronic liver disease.
authors.affiliation: Justin D. Dang is a staff pharmacist at Banner Estrella Medical Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Lindsay E. Davis is an assistant professor at Midwestern University's College of Pharmacy in Glendale, Ariz. The authors have disclosed no potential conflicts of interest, financial or otherwise.
authors.forename: Justin D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Dang
authors.forename: Lindsay E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Davis
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D017984:Enoxaparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000209:etiology; D006493:Heparin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications; D053828:Stockings, Compression; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000209:etiology; D054556:Venous Thromboembolism / Q000150:complications / Q000517:prevention & control*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D017984:Enoxaparin; D006493:Heparin