Venous thrombotic events (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) represent a major complication among hospitalized patients. For a long time, venous thromboembolism (VTE) was the focus of attention during surgical procedures. Today, however, it is among patients admitted for acute or chronic medical conditions that VTE is increasingly raising concerns and interest.
The incidence of VTE in medical patients, its lack of consideration, and insufficient prevention cannot be ignored. Systematic and rigorous assessment of the thrombotic risk in all admitted medical patients and consequent monitoring during their stay is a priority.
While low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have established themselves as the reference preventive antithrombotic agents, including in medical patients, the pentasaccharide fondaparinux (Arixtra®) represents an attractive alternative.
The properties of this synthetic molecule and its validation in clinical studies should make this anticoagulant a preferred alternative or a first-line agent for VTE prevention in medical patients.
Keywords
Venous thromboembolic disease, medical patient, anticoagulant, pentasaccharide, fondaparinux