Office Management of Deep Venous Thrombosis in the Elderly

Laurie G. Jacobs, Henny H. Billett

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/debatepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Deep venous thrombosis is common in the elderly. Diagnosis and management are now a part of office practice. As signs and symptoms are inconsistent and nonspecific, diagnostic testing is necessary. For patients with a low clinical probability, a normal D-dimer result can rule out disease. For patients with a high clinical suspicion or an elevated D-dimer, duplex ultrasonography may confirm the diagnosis. Anticoagulation, usually with low-molecular-weight heparin, should begin on suspicion and continue, along with warfarin, until the international normalized ratio is therapeutic. Arrangements for the initial daily injections can be made with a visiting nurse. Treatment should continue for at least 3 months, when a risk-versus-benefit analysis for continuing anticoagulation should be undertaken. Therapy may be discontinued for thromboses associated with a reversible risk factor or for patients in whom anticoagulant management was unstable or complicated by bleeding. A persistently high D-dimer result or evidence of residual clot on repeat duplex ultrasonography may support continuation. For all patients, the use of compression stockings to prevent the post-thrombotic syndrome is recommended.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)904-906
Number of pages3
JournalAmerican Journal of Medicine
Volume122
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2009

Keywords

  • Anticoagulation
  • Deep venous thrombosis
  • Diagnosis and treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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