Medicus, Vol. 33 No. 1 Tromboembolije, 2024.
Review article
Anticoagulants and Fear of Bleeding - How to Talk to the Patient?
Fabio Kadum
Sandro Brusich
Abstract
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) includes two diseases: deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE). Anticoagulant therapy is the mainstream therapy in the treatment of VTE. The main risk associated with anticoagulant therapy is the risk of bleeding, with gastrointestinal bleeding being the most common and intracranial bleeding being the most severe. The fear of bleeding can be present in both doctors and patients for a variety of reasons, the most prevalent being insufficient information about the prescribed medication. Good doctor-patient communication is an essential skill in everyday clinical practice, including patient education regarding anticoagulant therapy. Patients should be properly informed and educated in the effect of anticoagulant therapy with all its risks and benefits, as well as in the importance of taking the medicine as prescribed, without skipping doses. If patients do accidentally skip a dose, information about the next appropriate steps should also be given. Periodic laboratory tests are also essential, especially in patients taking warfarin.
Keywords
anticoagulant therapy; bleeding; patient-centered communication; venous thromboembolism
Hrčak ID:
321779
URI
Publication date:
24.10.2024.
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