Aim: To evaluate efficacy of 3 month therapy with warfarin in patients after an episode of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary artery thromboembolism (PATE), safety of the treatment.
Material and methods: 26 patients after DVT/PATE aged 18-74 were treated in the hospital with non-fractionated heparin for 10-14 days followed by warfarin. The dose was selected under the control of INR up to target values 2.0-3.0. Ultrasound angioscanning of the limbs was conducted at hospitalization, on discharge, 1 and 3 months after the discharge. D-dimer was measured at discharge, 1 and 3 months after the discharge. The patients were followed up for 3 months. The following end points were considered: recurrences of deep or surface vein thrombosis, PATE recurrence, death due to PATE, hemorrhagic complications.
Results: By ultrasound angioscanning significant positive results were not achieved. The level of D-dimer upon discharge was elevated in 18 (69.2%) patients (0.94, 0.41-1.69 mcg/ml). 3 month therapy with warfarin resulted in complete solution of all floting thrombs, achievement of recanalization of occlusive thrombosed deep vein in 20 (80%) patients, thrombosed vein number reduced from 4.0 to 3.0, p = 0.004. Deep vein thrombs disappeared only in 3 (11.5%) patients in 3 bmonths. Warfarin lowered D-dimer content to 0.23 mcg/ml (p < 0.001) in 1 month and to 0.12 mcg/ml (p < 0.001) in 3 moths after the discharge. 23 patients reached target 2.0-3.0 values and maintained them in therapeutic ranges. In DVT recurrence no PATE and PATE-related deaths were registered. Hemorrhagic complications arose in 5 patients, but they did not lead to warfarin discontinuation.
Conclusion: Warfarin is effective for secondary prophylaxis of DVT/PAT, but this therapy failed to solve thrombs in the deep veins in many patients.