Evidence-based On-call

Deep vein thrombosis

Therapy

Anticoagulate all patients with suspected venous thromboembolism ^a

Why?

Recurrent venous thromboembolism and death are common without anticoagulation. Anticoagulation reduces both. ^a

Anticoagulation reduces death and recurrent pulmonary embolism

Patient	Treatment	Comparison	Outcome	CER	RRR (95% CI)	NNT (95% CI)
pulmonary embolism ^a	anticoagulation	no anticoagulation	death at 3 months	26%	100%	4 (2 to 15)
			recurrent PE at 3 months	32%	100%	3 (2 to 9)