Venous thromboembolism — recommendations on the prevention, diagnostic approach and management. The 2017 Polish Consensus Statement

Abstract

The 2017 Polish Consensus Statement (PCS 2017) includes updated recommendations on the prevention, diagnostic approach, and management of venous thromboembolism (VTE). For VTE without cancer, the authors of PCS 2017 recommend apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran over vitamin K antagonists (VKA) as long-term anticoagulant therapy. For VTE with cancer, the authors of PCS 2017 recommend low molecular weight heparins (LMWH) over VKA, apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban and dabigatran. For extended secondary prevention of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), PCS 2017 recommends apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, VKA, and sulodexide. For extended secondary prevention of pulmonary embolism (PE), PCS 2017 recommends apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran and VKA. For extended secondary prevention in patients with idiopathic DVT and a high risk of bleeding complications, the authors of PCS 2017 recommend NOT to stop anticoagulation and use sulodexide. For extended secondary prevention in patients with idiopathic PE and a high risk of bleeding, the authors of PCS 2017 recommend NOT to stop anticoagulation and suggest treatment with apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran in reduced doses adjusted to the risk of bleeding. For VTE treated with anticoagulants, PCS 2017 recommends against insertion of a vena cava filter. For patients with DVT, PCS 2017 suggests USING compression stockings routinely to prevent postthrombotic syndrome. For subsegmental PE without proximal DVT, PCS 2017 suggests clinical surveillance over anticoagulation with a low risk of recurrent VTE, and anticoagulation over clinical surveillance with a high risk of recurrent VTE. The 2017 Polish Consensus Statement suggests thrombolytic therapy for PE with hypotension, and systemic therapy over catheter-directed thrombolysis. For recurrent VTE on a non-LMWH anticoagulant, PCS 2017 suggests LMWH, and for recurrent DVT and/or PE on LMWH, PCS 2017 suggests increasing the dose of LMWH.