Antithrombotic Therapy For VTE Disease

In patients with proximal DVT or pulmonary embolism (PE), we recommend long-term (3 months) anticoagulant therapy over no such therapy. (1, B)

In patients with DVT of the leg or PE and no cancer, as long-term (first 3 months) anticoagulant therapy, we suggest dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban over vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy. (2, B)

For patients with DVT of the leg or PE and no cancer who are not treated with dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban, or edoxaban, we suggest VKA therapy over LMWH. (2, C)

In patients with DVT of the leg or PE who receive extended therapy, we suggest that there is no need to change the choice of anticoagulant after the first 3 months. (2, C)