Timing of parenteral anticoagulation after thrombolysis for the treatment of pulmonary embolism

Venous thromboembolism, consisting of pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is diagnosed approximately 1 million times annually in the United States [1]. Pulmonary embolism carries a mortality rate as high as 30%, despite advances in diagnosis and treatment [2]. The primary treatment for acute PE is anticoagulation, which impairs the formation of new thrombosis by interrupting the coagulation cascade. However, in select cases when pulmonary embolism leads to life-threatening cardiopulmonary compromise, thrombolysis may be administered with the intention of promoting expeditious clot dissolution to relieve cardiac strain and enhance cardiopulmonary circulation [3,4].
Source: Thrombosis Research - Category: Hematology Authors: Tags: Letter to the Editors-in-Chief Source Type: research