Blood Thinner Successful In Preventing Clots

BOSTON -- Doctors say they have a proven treatment that reduces the risk of dangerous and recurring blood clots.

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A new study that will be published in April's issue of the New England Journal of Medicine indicates that low doses of a standard blood thinner can reduce the risk of recurring blood clots in the legs and lungs by two-thirds. Due to the study's imporance, it is published on the journal's Web site Monday.

The multicenter Prevention of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (PREVENT) study found a 64 percent reduction in blood clots in at-risk participants taking low-dose warfarin compared to those taking a placebo.

In addition, the researchers found no significant risks such as major hemorrhages or other potential side effects of warfarin, which is an anticoagulant -- a drug that prevents blood clotting.

The trial, which began in 1998, was scheduled to run until 2005. But because of the benefits found, the study was halted. Doctors say the treatment is so effective that it should be immediately offered to those who suffer from the clots.

"This is an important finding for the estimated half-million Americans who each year experience either deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism," said Dr. Claude Lenfant, director of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.

The American Heart Association estimates that about 2 million people suffer each year from a clot that occurs in a vein deep in the leg. The clot can become life-threatening if it floats to the lungs.

Additional Resources:

• Study Abstract
• Full Study (Adobe Acrobat required)