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LMWH in Hematologic Malignancy-Associated VTE

Am J Hematol; 2016 Nov; Khanal, Bociek, et al

Publish date:

Using prophylactic-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) cautiously may be safe in thrombocytopenic patients with hematologic malignancy-associated venous thromboembolism, according to a retrospective study involving 128 individuals.

Investigators compared outcomes in patients with significant thrombocytopenia to those without. Among the results:

  • 37% of patients had a platelet count ≤50,000/µL during a period of perceived need for new/continued anticoagulation.
  • The median base platelet count in patients with significant thrombocytopenia was 10,000/µL, vs 165,000/µL in those without.
  • Therapy use during significant thrombocytopenia included prophylactic-dose LMWH (47%), therapeutic-dose LMWH or heparin (30%), warfarin (2%), inferior vena cava filter (2%), and observation (17%).
  • Patients without thrombocytopenia received standard of care treatment.
  • At a median follow-up of ~2 years, significant bleeding risk was similar in both groups.

Citation:

Khanal N, Bociek R, Chen B, et al. Venous thromboembolism in patients with hematologic malignancy and thrombocytopenia. Am J Hematol. 2016;91(11):E468-E472. doi:10.1002/ajh.24526.

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