Updated ACCP Guideline for Antithrombotic Therapy for VTE Disease

• Prescribe DOACs as first-line agents for the treatment of acute VTE in patients without cancer.
• Use aspirin for the prevention of recurrent VTE in patients who stop anticoagulation for treatment of an unprovoked DVT or PE.
• Avoid compression stockings for the sole purpose of preventing postthrombotic syndrome.
• Do not admit patients with low-risk PE (as determined by the PESI score) to the hospital but rather treat them entirely at home.

Lastly, it is important to remember that VTE treatment decisions need to be individualized based on the clinical, imaging, and biochemical features of your patient.

Paul J. Grant, MD, SFHM, is assistant professor of medicine and director of perioperative and consultative medicine within the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of Michigan Health System in Ann Arbor.

References

1. Kearon C, Akl EA, Ornelas J, et al. Antithrombotic therapy for VTE disease: CHEST guideline and expert panel report. Chest. 2016;149(2):315-352.
2. Brighton TA, Eikelboom JW, Mann K, et al. Low-dose aspirin for preventing recurrent venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2012;367(21):1979-1987.
3. Becattini C, Agnelli G, Schenone A, et al. Aspirin for preventing the recurrence of venous thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2012;366(21):1959-1967.
4. Kahn SR, Shapiro S, Wells PS, et al. Compression stockings to prevent post-thrombotic syndrome: a randomised placebo controlled trial. Lancet. 2014;383(9920):880-888.