This Journal feature begins with a case vignette highlightinga common clinical problem. Evidence supporting various strategiesis then presented, followed by a review of formal guidelines,when they exist. The article ends with the author's clinicalrecommendations.
A 75-year-old man with diabetes mellitus is found to have chronicatrial fibrillation, and warfarin therapy is begun for the preventionof thromboembolic stroke. How should the anticoagulant therapybe initiated and managed?
The Clinical Problem
For more than 50 years, the availability of vitamin K antagonists1has made possible effective primary and secondary preventionof arterial and venous thromboembolism. Although such drugsare often . . . [Full Text of this Article]
Strategies and Evidence
Efficacy of Vitamin K Antagonists
Initiation of Therapy
Intensity of Treatment
Duration of Anticoagulant Therapy
Interactions with Vitamin K Antagonists
The Quality of Monitoring of Anticoagulation
Reversal of Anticoagulation
Surgery during Anticoagulant Therapy
Areas of Uncertainty
Guidelines
Conclusions and Recommendations
Source Information
From the Coagulation Unit, Department of Hematology, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Address reprint requests to Dr. Schulman at the Coagulation Unit, Karolinska Hospital, S-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden, or at sam.schulman@ks.se.
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