New Treatment for DVT and Tips on How to Avoid One

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recently issued its final appraisal determination on the use of Rivaroxaban (also known as Xarelto) as an alternative to Warfarin for the treatment of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) and the prevention of recurrent DVT.

Up until now, Warfarin has been the standard treatment, but it requires regular monitoring by blood tests (INR), dosage adjustments and people taking Warfarin need to careful about their diet, because Warfarin can interact with certain foods. Rivaroxaban does not require regular monitoring and it represents a potential benefit to people who have had a DVT.

Rivaroxaban is recommended as an option for treating DVT and preventing recurrent DVT and Pulmonary Embolism Thromboembolism (PET) after a diagnosis of acute DVT in adults.

In relation to DVT, prevention is better than cure so here are my tips for DVT prevention.

Tips for avoiding a DVT

• Maintain an active lifestyle and exercise regularly -- daily, if possible. Walking, swimming, and bicycling are all great activities.
• Manage your weight with exercise as well as by eating a healthy diet.
• If you smoke, quit!! Nicotine therapy (in patches, gums, or sprays) and support groups can make this much easier to do.
• Get your blood pressure checked regularly; take steps to lower it, if necessary.
• Report any family or personal history of blood-clotting problems to your doctor.
• Discuss alternatives to the contraceptive pill or hormone-replacement therapy with your doctor.
• If you are on a plane for more than 4 hours, either walk or do leg stretches in your seat and also stay well-hydrated and avoid alcohol consumption.
• If you are going into hospital, make sure you have a "risk assessment" and that you are considered for anti-thrombosis socks and blood thinning injections.

Clinical-effectiveness data from a trial comparing Rivaroxaban with Enoxaparin and a vitamin K antagonist in people with venous DVT and PET was applied in the NICE decision-making as was Enoxaparin and a vitamin K antagonist as the key comparator. The NICE Committee concluded that the difference in dosage did not appear to be clinically significant and was satisfied that the comparators used in the trial represented routine and best practice in the NHS.