Largest Trial of VTE (blood clots) Prophylaxis in Cancer Patients on Chemo

Blogger's Note: several articles posted on the same subject, some easier to read (plain english)

Largest Trial of VTE Prophylaxis in Cancer Patients on Chemo:
The new trial adds to previous data showing a benefit, but it is up to individual patients to decide whether or not to use this option, says editorialist.
Medscape Medical News

February 15, 2012 — The largest study to date of thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients on chemotherapy shows that the use of a heparin product significantly reduces the risk for thromboembolic events with no apparent increase in bleeding.
The positive results add to several previous studies showing a benefit from thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients, and reopen an ongoing debate about whether such use should be routine.
The latest study, known as SAVE-ONCO, was conducted in 3212 cancer patients who were beginning chemotherapy and used the hemisynthetic ultra-low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) semuloparin (Visamerin, Sanofi; marketed in Europe, but not available in the United States). The study, by Giancarlo Agnelli, MD, from the University of Perugia, Italy, and colleagues, is published in the February 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine......