Deep vein thromboembolism incidence

Hansson PO, Sorbo J, Eriksson H. Recurrent venous thromboembolism after deep vein thrombosis Incidence and risk factors. Arch Intern Med 2000 160 769-774. 

In a study of the combination of thahdomide 100 mg/day with darbepoetin aha 2.25 mg/kg/day in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes, there was an unexpectedly high incidence of thromboembohc events (194). Of the first seven patients emolled, two developed deep vein thromboses and one died of a massive pulmonary embolus. The authors concluded that thalidomide may increase the thromboembolic risk associated with erythropoietic proteins in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes. 

A phase II study to investigate the efficacy and tolerability of the concurrent use of thalidomide 100 mg daily and darbepoetin-alfa 2.25 micrograms/kg per week subcutaneously in patients with myeiodysplastic syndrome was discontinued because of an unexpectedly high incidence of thromboembolic events. Of the first 7 patients enrolled in the study, two developed deep vein thrombosis and one died of pulmonary embolism. The authors recommended careful monitoring and possibly thromboprophylaxis (heparin or warfarin) in patients with myeiodysplastic syndrome given both thalidomide and epoetin. ... 

Dextran 70 has proved its effectiveness in preventing pulmonary embolism and, in particular, has reduced mortality from this cause. In a comparative double-blind trial of prophylaxis of thromboembolism in surgical patients, 435 received saline infusions, out of which 13 developed pulmonary embolism and 7 were fatal. In the Dextran 70 series, 396 were treated, 3 developed embolism, 1 died. The incidence of deep vein thrombosis was similar in the 2 groups (28 ). 

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