1
|
Dimakakos E, Kotteas E, Gomatou G, Katsarou T, Vlahakos V, Vathiotis I, Talagani S, Dimitroulis I, Syrigos K. Do we need prophylactic anticoagulation in ambulatory patients with lung cancer? A review. Vasc Med 2020; 25:255-262. [PMID: 32146869 DOI: 10.1177/1358863x19899160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism is a common complication of malignancy. Lung cancer is considered one of the most thrombogenic cancer types. Primary thromboprophylaxis is not currently recommended for all ambulatory patients with active cancer. In the present narrative review we aim to summarize recent data on the safety and efficacy of primary thromboprophylaxis as well as on venous thromboembolism risk assessment, focusing on ambulatory patients with lung cancer. A potential benefit from prophylactic anticoagulation with low molecular weight heparins in terms of venous thromboembolism risk reduction and increased overall survival in patients with lung cancer, without a significant increase in bleeding risk, has been reported in several studies. Recent studies also reveal promising results of direct oral anticoagulants regarding their efficacy as primary thromboprophylaxis in patients with cancer, including those with lung cancer. However, the use of different study methodologies and the heterogeneity of study populations among the trials limit the extraction of definite results. More randomized, controlled trials, restricted to a well-characterized population of patients with lung cancer, are greatly anticipated. The use of risk assessment tools for stratification of venous thromboembolic risk is warranted. The development of an accurate and practical risk assessment model for patients with lung cancer represents an unmet need.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Evangelos Dimakakos
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Elias Kotteas
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Gomatou
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodora Katsarou
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassilis Vlahakos
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Vathiotis
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Sofia Talagani
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Dimitroulis
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Syrigos
- Oncology Unit, 3rd Department of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 'Sotiria' Hospital for Chest Diseases, Athens, Greece
| |
Collapse
|