Clinical Question

Is adding an antiplatelet agent for the treatment of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) safe and effective for preventing future complications?

Evidence-Based Answer

Best medical practices for the initial treatment of uncomplicated DVT include anticoagulation, compression stockings, and physical exercise. In the management of DVT (both acute [i.e., treatment started within 21 days of symptom onset] and chronic [i.e., treatment started after 21 days of symptom onset]), adding an antiplatelet agent to standard practices does not show clear benefits or cause significant adverse effects.¹ (Strength of Recommendation: B, inconsistent or limited-quality patient-oriented evidence.)

Practice Pointers

After stroke and myocardial infarction, venous thromboembolism (VTE; includes pulmonary embolism [PE] and DVT) is the third most common cardiovascular disease diagnosed worldwide. The incidence of DVT (the most common VTE) is increasing with the aging population, and there are more than 100,000 PE-related deaths in the United States per year.²