Treatment of DVT is intended to prevent the development of a pulmonary embolus and to prevent recurrent DVT.
For years the standard treatment has been an anticoagulant medication called heparin which was given through the vein. This results in relatively immediate anticoagulation and treatment of the clot. Along with heparin an oral medication called warfarin is given. Because warfarin usually takes several days to reach effectiveness (until it reaches a therapeutic level), the heparin is continued until the warfarin is therapeutic for at least 24 hours. The warfarin is usually continued for approximately six months though there is some debate about the optimal duration of therapy. In almost all circumstances warfarin should not be initiated until heparin has been started.
Because heparin is given as a continuous intravenous infusion, it requires hospitalization. However, newer forms of heparin, known as low molecular weight heparin (usually enoxaparin) can be used in some circumstances. This heparin can be given by injection once or twice a day and thus can shorten or eliminate the need for hospitalization.
Warfarin causes an increase in a blood clotting time known as the PT. The PT is monitored to determine if the blood is sufficiently anticoagulated. A measurement known as the INR standardizes PT measurements between labs. For most patients warfarin is adjusted to keep the INR between 2 and 3.
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