The Clots in Legs Or sTockings after Stroke (CLOTS) 3 trial: a randomised controlled trial to determine whether or not intermittent pneumatic compression reduces the risk of post-stroke deep vein thrombosis and to estimate its cost-effectiveness

National Institute for Health Research

In immobile patients with stroke, use of intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) was associated with a reduced incidence of DVT within 30 days of randomisation (8.5% vs 12.1% with no IPC, absolute reduction in risk of 3.6%; estimated cost of £1,282 per event prevented).

Evaluation of Patients With Suspected Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Best Practice Advice From the Clinical Guidelines Committee of the American College of Physicians

Annals of Internal Medicine

This report presents an evidence-based and high-value diagnostic strategy for the diagnosis of pulmonary embolism, to help clinicians understand the potential hurdles to such an approach and outline performance improvement strategies to overcome them.

Sulodexide for the Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism: The SURVET Study: A Multicenter, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Trial

Circulation

In this study, the use of sulodexide following discontinuation of anticoagulant therapy in patients with a first unprovoked VTE reduced the incidence of VTE recurrence (15/307 versus 30/308 with placebo; HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.27-0.92; P=0.025); adverse events were similar.

Bivalirudin versus unfractionated heparin: a meta-analysis of patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndromes

Open Heart

Meta-analysis of 19 trials (n=35,596) found that bivalirudin increases risk of acute stent thrombosis (ST) in STEMI, but may confer an advantage over unfractionated heparin in NSTE- acute coronary syndromes while undergoing PCI, reducing major bleeding without an increase in ST.

The above records have been identified by UKMi and feature in the NICE Medicines Awareness Service. Further details on this service can be found at:
http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/about-evidence-services/content-and-sources/medicines-information/new-medicines-awareness-services