abstract: the Oncologist - Outpatient Use of Low Molecular Weight Heparin Monotherapy for First-Line Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism in Advanced Cancer

 Abstract

Background. Evidence-based treatment guidelines recommend low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) monotherapy for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). This analysis assessed the first-line treatment strategies for VTE in patients with advanced solid tumors.


Conclusions. Adoption of LMWH monotherapy as initial treatment for cancer-associated VTE was low but increased steadily over the study period. Future studies should explore reasons underlying the underutilization of this preferred evidence-based treatment as well as the comparative effectiveness of LMWH versus warfarin-based anticoagulation in real-world cancer patients with VTE.

Table 1. Baseline cohort patient characteristics, risk factors and comorbidities,....

abstract: Cochrane Review - Anticoagulation for the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism in patients with cancer.

BACKGROUND:

Compared to patients without cancer, patients with cancer who receive anticoagulant treatment for venous thromboembolism are more likely to develop recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS:

LMWH (low molecular weight heparin)  is possibly superior to UFH (unfractionated heparin) in the initial treatment of VTE in patients with cancer. Additional trials focusing on patient important outcomes will further inform the questions addressed in this review.