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Vitamin K Antagonists and Novel Oral Anticoagulant

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Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism

Part of the book series: Contemporary Cardiology ((CONCARD))

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Abstract

Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) are the agents of choice for long-term treatment and secondary prophylaxis of pulmonary embolism (PE), as they were shown to be effective in preventing recurrence of the disease. At present, VKAs are the only available anticoagulants allowing oral administration, an essential feature in agents intended for long-term use. The currently recommended duration of anticoagulant treatment for PE is related to the features of the thromboembolic event, ranging from a minimum of 3 mo to life-long treatment. Patients presenting with idiopathic or unprovoked PE generally require longer treatment than patients with an event associated with temporary risk factors. On the other hand, the need for laboratory monitoring and dose adjustment, and the risk for bleeding complications, are the main pitfalls of treatment with VKAs and limit their use for long-term anticoagulation. Therefore, new oral anticoagulants are currently under development. To be of clinical value, these agents should be at least as effective as VKAs, possibly safer and easier to administer, and they should not require routine laboratory monitoring.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Internal and Cardiovascular Medicine—Stroke Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy

    Giancarlo Agnelli MD & Cecilia Becattini MD

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  1. Giancarlo Agnelli MD
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  2. Cecilia Becattini MD
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Cardiology and Pulmonology, Georg August University, Goettingen, Germany

    Stavros V. Konstantinides MD (Professor of Medicine) (Professor of Medicine)

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© 2007 Humana Press Inc., Totowa, NJ

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Agnelli, G., Becattini, C. (2007). Vitamin K Antagonists and Novel Oral Anticoagulant. In: Konstantinides, S.V. (eds) Management of Acute Pulmonary Embolism. Contemporary Cardiology. Humana Press. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-287-8_14

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-59745-287-8_14

  • Publisher Name: Humana Press

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-58829-644-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-59745-287-8

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