Interní Med. 2015; 17(3): 154-155

Anticoagulation in cancer patients in palliative care

MUDr.Kateřina Menčíková¹, MUDr.Irena Závadová¹, MUDr.Ondřej Sláma, Ph.D.²

¹ Domácí hospic Cesta domů Praha

² Masarykův onkologický ústav Brno

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication and an important source of morbidity and mortality in advanced cancer

patients in palliative care. These patients are often also at increased risk of bleeding. Primary prophylaxis of VTE is recommended for

hospitalized cancer patiens with a good performance status and those undergoing active oncologic therapy. There is no evidence of

benefit of prophylaxis for patients with life expectancy shorter than 3 months. Treatment of symptomatic VTE is recommended even

in patients with limited survival with the exception of those who are imminently dying. The first choise drug is low-molecular weight

heparin, which is safer and more efficient than coumarins. The final decision about anticoagulation therapy in a particular patient should

be the result of a careful consideration of performance status, life expectancy, individual risks and benefits and the preferences of well

informed patient.

Keywords: palliative care, thromboembolism, anticoagulation, low-molecular weight heparin

Published: June 1, 2015  Show citation