Cardiovascular

Formation of a blood clot, or thrombosis, within an artery or vein can lead to serious health implications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thromboses can form in different parts of the body. They can also break away from their original location and travel to critical organs, such as the lungs or brain.

Care Coordination

For more information about coordinating healthcare efforts to help manage blood clot–related conditions, visit our care coordination page.



 

Deep Vein Thrombosis and Subsequent Pulmonary Embolism

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a clot that forms in a major vein, usually in the leg, where it may be asymptomatic or can cause pain and swelling, among other symptoms. If a DVT breaks off and travels to the lungs it may become stuck and cut off blood flow. This is called a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a very serious, sometimes life-threatening condition.

DVT and PE together are called venous thromboembolism (VTE). Every year, approximately 1 million Americans experience a VTE,1 and 200,000 to 300,000 die from a VTE-related event.2

Certain surgeries can increase the risk of developing DVT, especially knee replacement and hip replacement surgery. Medical guidelines recommend the use of strategies that can help reduce the risk of DVT after these procedures. The options include use of anticoagulants or blood-thinning medications, for thromboprophylaxis.3

Stroke Related to Nonvalvular Atrial Fibrillation

Blood clots can also originate in the heart, often due to arrhythmias, such as nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). These clots can travel to the brain and cause a stroke.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) can increase a person's risk of stroke by up to 5-fold, and strokes related to AF can be more severe, more deadly, and more likely to recur.4,5 Reducing stroke risk is a key goal in the management of patients with AF. Guidelines recommend chronic thromboprophylaxis for most of these patients based on an assessment of risks and benefits.6

For more information on Janssen products for thromboprophylaxis, visit our
product page.

References

  1. Deitelzweig SB, Johnson BH, Lin J, Schulman KL. Prevalence of clinical venous thromboembolism in the USA: current trends and future projections. Am J Hematol. 2011;86(2):217-220.
  2. Heit JA, Cohen AT, Anderson FA Jr; on behalf of VTE Impact Assessment Group. Estimated annual number of incident and recurrent, non-fatal and fatal venous thromboembolism (VTE) events in the US [abstract 910]. Blood. 2005;106(11).
  3. Geerts WH, Bergqvist D, Pineo GF, et al; American College of Chest Physicians. Prevention of venous thromboembolism: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines (8th edition). Chest. 2008;133(suppl 6):381S-453S.
  4. Roger VL, Go AS, Lloyd-Jones DM, et al; on behalf of American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Heart disease and stroke statistics—2011 update: a report from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011;123(4):e18-e209.
  5. Miller PSJ, Andersson FL, Kalra L. Are cost benefits of anticoagulation for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation underestimated? Stroke. 2005;36(2):360-366.
  6. Fuster V, Rydén LE, Cannom DS, et al; and American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force. 2011 ACCF/AHA/HRS focused updates incorporated into the ACC/AHA/ESC 2006 guidelines for the management of patients with atrial fibrillation: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2011;123(10):e269-e367.