The first recommendations on the use of all new oral anticoagulants in pulmonary embolism (PE) have been published by the European Society of Cardiology (ESC).
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism. Acute PE is the most serious clinical presentation of VTE and is a major cause of mortality, morbidity and hospitalisation in Europe. Previous ESC Guidelines on acute PE were published in 2000 and 2008.
The aim of anticoagulant treatment in patients with PE is to prevent VTE recurrence. Recently, the results of large trials paved the way for the use of new oral anticoagulant drugs in VTE.
“These are the first major international guidelines with a complete set of recommendations on the use of new oral anticoagulants in VTE. For each drug we provide detailed recommendations on how and when to use it, and whether it should be first line treatment or an alternative to standard treatment,” said Professor Stavros V. Konstantinides, Task Force chairperson.
