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Treatment of DVT

The object of treatment is to prevent pulmonary embolus therefore anti-coagulant therapy must be used.

The accepted treatment currently is that the patient is started on anticoagulant therapy (that is, heparin and warfarin simultaneously). It takes 2-3 days for the warfarin to become effective, and then the heparin is withdrawn.

Anticoagulant therapy is recommended for a period of at least 3 months, but if a person suffers from recurrent DVT’s, long- term anti-coagulant treatment is necessary.

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Amended April 2008