scholarly journals Contrasts in Glioblastoma—Venous Thromboembolism versus Bleeding Risk

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 1414
Author(s):  
Viktoria Muster ◽  
Thomas Gary
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Patient Group ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Therapeutic Anticoagulation ◽  
Vulnerable Patient ◽  
Risk Treatment ◽  
Thrombogenic Potential

Glioblastoma is among the tumor entities with an extreme thrombogenic potential and patients are at very high risk of developing a venous thromboembolism (VTE) over the course of the disease, with an incidence of up to 30% per year. Major efforts are currently being made to understand and gain novel insights into the underlying pathomechanisms of the development of VTE in patients with glioblastoma and to find appropriate biomarkers. Yet, patients with glioblastoma not only face a high thromboembolic risk but are also at risk of bleeding events. In the case of VTE, a therapeutic anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparin or, in the case of low bleeding risk, treatment with a direct oral anticoagulant, is recommended, according to recently published guidelines. With respect to an elevated bleeding risk in glioblastoma patients, therapeutic anticoagulation remains challenging in this patient group and prospective data for this vulnerable patient group are scarce, particularly with regard to direct oral anticoagulants.

Abstract MP13: Comparative Effectiveness of Direct Oral Anticoagulants and Warfarin on Risk of Bleeding Resulting in Hospitalization Among Venous Thromboembolism Patients

Circulation ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 137 (suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pamela L Lutsey ◽  
Neil A Zakai ◽  
Richard F MacLehose ◽  
Faye L Norby ◽  
Rob F Walker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Comparative Effectiveness ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Risk Of Bleeding

Background: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including rivaroxaban, dabigatran, apixaban and edoxaban, have been approved as alternatives to warfarin for the primary treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, understanding of their comparative effectiveness in practice-based populations is limited. Objective: Among anticoagulant-naïve VTE patients, estimate the association of type of oral anticoagulant (OAC) with the rate of bleeding resulting in hospitalization. Methods: Patients with VTE and prescription for an OAC were identified from the US Truven Health MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare Supplemental databases for the period from 2011-2015. Hospitalization related to bleeding events (inclusive of intracranial, gastrointestinal and other) was defined using a validated algorithm. In head-to-head comparisons, initiators of a specific OAC were matched with up to 5 initiators of the comparing OAC by age, sex, and time since database enrollment. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for bleeding by OAC, adjusted for age, sex, and a comorbidity propensity score (created using prevalence of 20 common diagnoses and procedures). Results: The final analysis included 83,831 VTE patients who were 49.9% female and on average (standard deviation) 59.0 (16.0) years old. Of these, the initial OAC prescribed for 2,604 was apixaban, for 1,669 dabigatran, for 28,518 rivaroxaban, and for 48,514 warfarin. A total of 1,947 bleeding events occurred over an average of 13 months. Compared to new warfarin users, risk of bleeding was lower among patients initiating apixaban [HR (95%CI): 0.55 (0.36, 0.83)] and rivaroxaban [0.80 (0.72, 0.89)], but similar among new dabigatran users [0.96 (0.72, 1.27)]. In head-to-head DOAC comparisons, relative to rivaroxaban, risk of bleeding was lower among users of apixaban [0.57 (0.36, 0.89)] but similar for users of dabigatran [1.05 (0.73, 1.51)]. Due to low numbers we did not conduct analyses of edoxaban or a head-to-head comparison of dabigatran versus apixaban. Conclusion: In this practice-based population of 83,831 patients prescribed OACs for the treatment of VTE, subsequent risk of hospitalized bleeding was lowest among those prescribed apixaban, intermediate among those prescribed rivaroxaban, and highest among those prescribed warfarin and dabigatran. These data demonstrate that differences in bleeding risk exist by DOAC. While risk factors for bleeding might impact choice of warfarin versus the DOACs, the choice between DOACs may be less likely to be based on patient conditions.

scholarly journals Treatment Patterns and Clinical Outcomes in Korean Cancer Patients With Venous Thromboembolism: A Retrospective Cohort Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 ◽  
pp. 107602962097957
Author(s):  
Soo-Mee Bang ◽  
Jin-Hyoung Kang ◽  
Min Hee Hong ◽  
Jin-Seok Ahn ◽  
So Yeon Oh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Factors Associated ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Medical Chart Review ◽  
Deep Vein

This study assessed epidemiologic data and clinical outcomes, including venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence and bleeding events, in patients with cancer-associated VTE, and assessed factors associated with clinical outcomes. Data were extracted from retrospective medical-chart review of adult patients diagnosed with cancer-associated deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism who received anticoagulation treatment for ≥3 months. Patients were classified by: low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), and other anticoagulants. First VTE recurrence and bleeding events, and factors associated with their occurrence, were assessed during the initial 6 months of treatment. Overall, 623 patients (age: 63.7 ± 11.3 years, 49.3% male) were included (119, 132, and 372 patients in LMWH, DOACs and other anticoagulants groups, respectively). The cumulative 6-month incidence of VTE recurrence was 16.6% (total), 8.3% (LMWH), 16.7% (DOACs), and 20.7% (other); respective bleeding events were 22.5%, 11.0%, 12.3%, and 30.7%). VTE recurrence and bleeding rates differed only between LMWH and other anticoagulants (HR 2.4, 95% CI: 1.2-5.0 and 3.6, 1.9-6.8, respectively). These results highlight the importance of initial VTE treatment choice for preventing VTE recurrence and bleeding events. LMWH or DOACs for ≥3 months can be considered for effective VTE management in cancer patients.

scholarly journals Clinical Outcomes of Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Direct Oral Anticoagulants for Immunomodulatory Drug Associated Venous Thromboembolism

Blood ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 4964-4964 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zachary Crowther ◽  
Jamie Doyle ◽  
Stanford Taylor ◽  
Nadia Ali
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Myeloma ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Chart Review ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Result ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Growing Body

Introduction: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication in multiple myeloma (MM) patients for several reasons; hematologic malignancy itself is a VTE risk factor and standard of care immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) in combination with dexamethasone (Dex) increase the risk further. This combination therapy has a mean VTE incidence of 21.5% in studies that did not use thromboprophylaxis and is recommended for all patients on IMiDs, although the optimal thromboprophylactic regimen remains uncertain. In clinical practice, aspirin (ASA) is commonly prescribed for VTE prophylaxis due to the ease of use. Despite this, the incidence of VTE remains between 7-14%. There is a growing body of literature supporting the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment of VTE in cancer populations. We wanted to assess the incidence of VTE despite ASA prophylaxis at our institution and to further characterize the role of DOACs in the MM population. To do this, we performed a chart review of all MM patients who had been treated with lenalidomide and a DOAC, assessing for VTE development and patient outcomes. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients with the diagnosis of MM treated with lenalidomide therapy at Fox Chase Cancer Center at Temple University Hospital or Cottman Avenue after Jan 1st, 2015 to July 2019. Eligible patients were identified through electronic medical record data mining for patients that had been diagnosed with MM, had been prescribed lenalidomide, had been taking ASA while on lenalidomide, and switched to rivaroxaban, edoxaban or apixaban. For comparison, the number of patients treated with lenalidomide and ASA who did not switch to a DOAC were also identified. Patient charts were reviewed for VTE development and bleeding complications after DOAC administration. Results: 132 patients were identified who had a diagnosis of MM and had been prescribed lenalidomide between Jan 1, 2015 and July 31, 2019. These patients were also prescribed aspirin except for three who were already on a DOAC prior to starting lenalidomide. Of the total 132 patients, only 17 were prescribed a DOAC. Six of the patients were on DOACs for reasons other than VTE (atrial fibrillation N=4, atrial flutter N=1, marantic endocarditis N=1). Eleven patients were started on DOACs for VTE; incidence of 8.3% in our myeloma population. However three of these VTEs occurred within one month of high dose melphalan chemotherapy and autologous stem cell rescue. These three patients had been off lenalidomide for over one month prior to VTE. Eight of the 17 patients with VTE developed clots in the setting of active MM and concurrent therapy with IMiD/Dex, independent of hospitalizations or other provoking factors. This is an incidence of 6.0% for VTE directly attributed to therapy. Six patients were on lenalidomide and Dex, while two patients developed VTE while on pomalidomide and Dex. No patients on lenalidomide experienced recurrent VTEs after being switched to therapeutic dose DOAC. One patient on pomalidomide/Dex did experience recurrent VTE. We examined all 17 patients who were on DOACs, 16 of which had been on IMiD and DOACs concurrently. Three had minor bleeding events which all resolved spontaneously. One patient had a major bleeding event, which was a fatal ruptured cerebral aneurysm while on a DOAC and ASA concurrently. Conclusion: The incidence of VTE in our patient population receiving IMiD/Dex while on ASA prophylaxis therapy was similar to what has been previously reported in the literature. We examined the clinical outcomes of 16 patients treated with IMiDs and DOACs concurrently and found few bleeding events. The one major bleed was likely precipitated by malignant hypertension and not a direct result of being on a DOAC. Taken together these results further support the growing body of evidence that DOACs are effective and safe treatments for VTE in cancer patients, including MM. Moving forward, our clinical experience with treatment dose DOACs supports the use of prophylactic dose DOACs to potentially further reduce the incidence of VTE in this high-risk population. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

P690Incidence of events between vitamin K antagonists and direct oral anticoagulants in patients with cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pardo Sanz ◽  
L M Rincon ◽  
G De Lara ◽  
A Tamayo ◽  
L C Belarte ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Vitamin K ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Systemic Embolism ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Patients With Cancer

Abstract Background Balance between embolic and bleeding risk is challenging in patients with cancer. There is a lack of specific recommendations for the use of antithrombotic therapy in oncologic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) within patients with breast cancer. We also compared the embolic and bleeding risk, the preventive management and the incidence of events between patients with and without cancer. Methods It is an ambispective observational multicentric study that analysed patients with non-valvular AF treated in Oncology and Cardiology Departments in Spain in the period 2011–2018. A total of 1237 female patients with AF were enrolled: 637 with breast cancer and 599 without cancer. The incidence of thromboembolic and major bleeding events according to the antithrombotic strategy with VKAs or DOACs was evaluated in the cohort of 637 patients with cancer. Analysis were conducted using SPSS software V.22.0 and R V.3.5.1, with a two-tailed significance value of 0.05. Results Mean follow-up was 3.1 years. Both groups were similar in age, CHA2DS2-VASc and HASB-LED scores. There was no evidence that the incidence of ischemic stroke/systemic embolism differed between patients with cancer treated with AVK and DOAC after CHA2DS2-VASc adjustment: HR 0.91 (95% CI, 0.42–1.99). In addition, no significant differences in the incidence of major bleeding events were found between DOACs and VKA after adjustment for HAS-BLED score: HR 1.53 (95% CI, 0.93–2.53) (Figure 3). Gastrointestinal bleeding was the main source of haemorrhages in both groups (45% of bleedings among patients treated with DOACs and, 37% in VKAs group). Metastatic disease or active chemotherapy were studied as potential covariates but none of them posed any relevant change in the result. Kaplan-Meier analysis Conclusions Cancer patients treated with DOACs did not differ versus those treated with VKAs with regards to stroke or systemic embolism in a model adjusted for CHA2DS2-VASc. Neither significant differences were found for bleeding events in a model adjusted for baseline HASBLED.

Safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolism and stroke prophylaxis in patients with hematologic malignancies

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 351-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie Kim ◽  
Jennifer Namba ◽  
Aaron M Goodman ◽  
Thi Nguyen ◽  
Ila M Saunders
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Weight ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Major Bleeding ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
Low Molecular Weight ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulant ◽  
Low Molecular Weight Heparins ◽  
Bleeding Events

Purpose Low-molecular-weight heparins are currently the recommended antithrombotic therapy for treatment and prevention of malignancy-related venous thromboembolism. Currently, the evidence evaluating direct oral anticoagulants versus low-molecular-weight heparins or a vitamin K antagonist in cancer patients with hematologic malignancies is limited. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of direct oral anticoagulants for venous thromboembolism treatment or stroke prevention for non-valvular atrial fibrillation in patients with hematologic malignancies. Methods This was a retrospective evaluation of adult patients with hematologic malignancies who received at least one dose of the Food and Drug Administration-approved direct oral anticoagulant for venous thromboembolism treatment or stroke prevention. We determined the frequency of major bleeding events, non-major bleeding events, stroke, systemic embolism, appropriateness of initial direct oral anticoagulant doses, holding practices prior to procedures, and the rate of all-cause mortality. An analysis was also performed to compare the incidence of bleeding between patients with a history of hematopoietic stem cell transplant to non-transplant patients. Results A total of 103 patients were identified, with the majority of patients receiving rivaroxaban for venous thromboembolism treatment. Major bleeding events occurred in four patients and no fatal bleeding events occurred. Non-major bleeding occurred in 29 patients, most commonly epistaxis and bruising. Two patients experienced a systemic embolism while on direct oral anticoagulant therapy. Conclusion Direct oral anticoagulants may be a safe and effective alternative for anticoagulation therapy in patients with hematologic malignancies. However, larger prospective studies comparing direct oral anticoagulants to low-molecular-weight heparins or vitamin K antagonists are warranted to compare efficacy and safety outcomes in this patient population.

P675Current status of anticoagulation in patients with breast cancer and atrial fibrillation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Pardo Sanz ◽  
L M Rincon ◽  
P Guedes Ramallo ◽  
L Belarte ◽  
G De Lara ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Atrial Fibrillation ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Oncologic Patients

Abstract Aims Balance between embolic and bleeding risk is challenging in patients with cancer. There is a lack of specific recommendations for the use of antithrombotic therapy in oncologic patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). We compared the embolic and bleeding risk, the preventive management and the incidence of events between patients with and without cancer. We further evaluated the effectiveness and safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) within patients with cancer. Methods The AMBER-AF registry is an observational multicentre study that analysed patients with non-valvular AF treated in Oncology and Cardiology Departments in Spain. 1237 female patients with AF were enrolled: 637 with breast cancer and 599 without cancer. Mean follow-up was 3.1 years. Results Both groups were similar in age, CHA2DS2-VASc and HASB-LED scores. Lack of guidelines recommended therapies was more frequent among patients with cancer. Compared with patients without cancer, adjusted rates of stroke (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]) in cancer patients were higher (1.56 [1.04–2.35]), whereas bleeding rates remained similar (1.25 [0.95–1.64]). Within the group of patients with cancer, the use of DOACs vs VKAs did not entail differences in the adjusted rates of stroke (0.91 [0.42–1.99]) or severe bleedings (1.53 [0.93–2.53]). Follow-up events Conclusions Antithrombotic management of AF frequently differs in patients with breast cancer. While breast cancer is associated with a higher risk of incident stroke, bleeding events remained similar. Patients with cancer treated with DOACs experienced similar rates of stroke and bleeding as those with VKAs.

scholarly journals Current Recommendations for the Management of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 27-38
Author(s):  
Katalin Makó
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Long Term Treatment ◽  
High Bleeding Risk ◽  
Cancer Associated Thrombosis

Abstract Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is a major cause of death in oncological patients. The mechanisms of thrombogenesis in cancer patients are not fully established, and it seems to be multifactorial in origin. Also, several risk factors for venous thromboembolism (VTE) are present in these patients such as tumor site, stage, histology of cancer, chemotherapy, surgery, and immobilization. Anticoagulant treatment in CAT is challenging because of high bleeding risk during treatment and recurrence of VTE. Current major guidelines recommend low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) for early and long-term treatment of VTE in cancer patients. In the past years, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are recommended as potential treatment option for VTE and have recently been proposed as a new option for treating CAT. This manuscript will give a short overview of risk factors involved in the development of CAT and a summary on the recent recommendations and guidelines for treatment of VTE in patients with malignancies, discussing also some special clinical situations (e.g. renal impairment, catheter-related thrombosis, and thrombocytopenia).

Reversal strategies in patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants

VASA ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (5) ◽  
pp. 389-392 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Gressenberger
Keyword(s):  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Invasive Procedure ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Study Data ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Bleeding Complications ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Reversal Agent

Summary. Administration of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for the treatment of venous thrombotic events (VTE) or non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) is now standard of care and has demonstrated clinical efficacy and safety in numerous clinical studies. Usually these substances have lower overall mortality and less risk of cerebral hemorrhage, but depending on the substance and study, they are more likely to cause gastrointestinal bleeding than vitamin K antagonists (VKA), the medication that used to be standard for VTE and AF. Since DOACs have very short plasma elimination half-lives compared to VKA, for most bleeding events, expert opinions suggest that withdrawal of DOACs and supportive care will likely suffice to stop a bleeding episode. Because there is a bleeding risk associated with DOACs, reversal strategies may be needed if a patient receiving DOAC therapy bleeds during surgery or an invasive procedure. So far, idarucizumab has been the only available antidote that binds specifically to dabigatran and safely and quickly reverses its anticoagulant effects. Idarucizumab has no effects on anti Xa inhibitors or other anticoagulants. To date, treatment of serious, life-threatening bleeds in patients with anti-Xa-inhibitor has involved 4 factor prothrombin complex concentrates (PCC). PCC restores normal hemostasis laboratory values in most patients with major bleeding events after anti Xa inhibitor intake. Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved andexanet alfa as the first specific antidote for the anti-Xa inhibitors apixaban and rivaroxaban. So far clinical experience with this substance and data comparing it with PCC are lacking. Currently ciraparantag is under investigation as a universal reversal agent for all DOACs and low molecular weight heparin as well. Because it is so broadly applicable, ciraparantag might be a good future option for the management of most bleeding complications under anticoagulant treatment. The aim of this review is to summarize recent study data and recommendations on nonspecific and specific DOAC reversal strategies and to present the current evidence.

Extended-Duration Use of Direct Oral Anticoagulants to Prevent VTE in Acutely III Medical Patients

2019 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-108
Author(s):  
Jessica W. Skelley ◽  
Angela R. Thomason ◽  
Lauren N. Hammond
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Trials ◽  
Human Subjects ◽  
Data Extraction ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
Medical Patients ◽  
Bleeding Events ◽  
Extended Duration

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate current clinical evidence for the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for extended-duration thromboprophylaxis in the acutely ill medical population for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding events.<br/> DATA SOURCES: Were obtained through a MEDLINE/PubMed search for clinical trials conducted from March 2008 to 2018 using relevant key words. Limitations of English and human subjects were applied to search results.<br/> STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Forty-one articles were identified, and abstracts reviewed by the authors for inclusion of the study population (acutely ill medical patients) and VTE outcomes. Clinical studies evaluating the use of DOACs for extended duration of VTE prevention in acutely ill medical patients were included in the review, resulting in three clinical trials and two subgroup analyses. The participants enrolled had an overall mean age of 71.4 years.<br/> DATA SYNTHESIS: The DOAC trials collectively demonstrated a positive outcome in composite endpoints of VTE prevention with extended-duration thromboprophylaxis in acutely ill medical patients compared with enoxaparin. As for safety, rivaroxaban and apixaban trials reported more major bleeding events compared with enoxaparin. The betrixaban trial demonstrated no difference in bleeding compared with enoxaparin.<br/> CONCLUSION: DOACs reduced the number of VTE events in acutely ill medical patients on extended-duration thromboprophylaxis, but with an overall increased bleeding risk. An individualized patient approach based on risk factors should be utilized for treatment with extended-duration DOAC in the older adult population with recent hospitalization.

Venous thromboembolism in the elderly

Phlebologie ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 45 (04) ◽  
pp. 215-218
Author(s):  
C. Ploenes
Keyword(s):  
Venous Thromboembolism ◽  
Old Age ◽  
Vitamin K Antagonists ◽  
Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Direct Oral Anticoagulants ◽  
Bleeding Risk ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Self Medication ◽  
Initial Symptoms

SummaryOld age is an independent risk factor of venous thromboembolism. Nevertheless initial symptoms are often attributed to existing cardiac or pulmonary comorbidity. Once deep thromboembolism (DTE) is in focus, the synopsis of clinical findings and anamnestic clues help to take further steps to establish or rule out the diagnosis (e.g. Wells score). Treatment consists in oral anticoagulation, either by vitamin-k-antagonists or by direct oral anticoagulants (“DOACs”). Strict compliance of patients or main caregivers is essential in both cases. Simultaneous medication of platelet-inhibitingor nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – often unknown self medication – results in a raised bleeding risk and should be avoided. If longterm anticoagulation is mandatory, a strategy of sequential dose-reduced anticoagulation can be considered, especially in the case of increased bleeding-risk. Systemic fibrinolysis of pulmonary embolism goes along with a very high bleeding risk in old age and should be performed only in case of vital circulatory depression or failure.

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