Management of oral anticoagulants in the treatment of venous thromboembolism.

Eur J Intern Med · 2001

review · Level V

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Abstract

Venous thromboembolism still represents a major public health problem. After initial heparin therapy, oral anticoagulants are the treatment most often used. Bleeding is the major risk of such a therapy. This review of the literature emphasises the practical aspects of the clinical management of oral anticoagulant therapy, such as initiation, monitoring, interaction, withdrawal, optimal duration, bleeding complications and non-haemorrhagic adverse reactions.