Current management of acute symptomatic deep vein thrombosis

No Pharmacokinetic or Pharmacodynamic Interaction Between Digoxin and the Oral Direct Thrombin Inhibitor Ximelagatran in Healthy Volunteers

The interaction potential of digoxin and ximelagatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor being developed for the prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease, was investigated in this randomized, double-blind, 2-way crossover study. On 2 separate occasions, healthy female and male volunteers (n = 16) received ximelagatran 36 mg or placebo twice daily for 8 days separated by a 4- to 14-day washout period. All volunteers received a single oral dose of digoxin 0.5 mg on day 4 of both study periods. No interaction between ximelagatran and digoxin was detected in the pharmaco-kinetic parameters (using a 90% confidence interval [CI] of least squares mean estimate ratios), including melagatran (the active form of ximelagatran) AUC(tau) and C(max) and digoxin AUC(t) and C(max). Digoxin did not alter the melagatran-induced prolongation of the activated partial thromboplastin time, and both drugs were well tolerated when administered in combination. In conclusion, no pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic interaction between digoxin and ximelagatran was observed in this study.

Clinical utility of factor V leiden (R506Q) testing for the diagnosis and management of thromboembolic disorders

OBJECTIVE

To review the current state of the art regarding the role of the clinical laboratory in diagnostic testing for the factor V Leiden (FVL) thrombophilic mutation (and other protein C resistance disorders), and to generate, through literature reviews and opinions of recognized thought-leaders, expert consensus recommendations on methodology and diagnostic, prognostic, and management issues pertaining to clinical FVL testing.

DATA SOURCES, EXTRACTION, AND SYNTHESIS

An initial thorough review of the medical literature and of current best clinical practices by a panel of 4 experts followed by a consensus conference review, editing, and ultimate approval by the majority of a panel of 28 additional coagulation laboratory experts.

CONCLUSIONS

Consensus recommendations were generated for topics of direct clinical relevance, including (1) defining those patients (and family members) who should (and should not) be tested for FVL; (2) defining the preferred FVL laboratory testing methods; and (3) defining the therapeutic, prophylactic, and management ramifications of FVL testing in affected individuals and their family members. As FVL is currently the most common recognized familial thrombophilia, it is hoped that these recommendations will assist laboratorians and clinicians caring for patients (and families) with this common mutation.