Use this URL to cite or link to this record in EThOS: https://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.537282
Title: Thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients with central venous catheters
Author: Young, Annie
ISNI:       0000 0004 2705 4789
Awarding Body: University of Birmingham
Current Institution: University of Birmingham
Date of Award: 2011
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Abstract:
This thesis focuses on a nurse-led trial assessing the thromboprophylactic utility of warfarin in cancer patients (n=1590) with central venous catheters and designed following a UK survey of practice. Clinicians who were ‘uncertain’ of the benefits of warfarin, randomised patients to no warfarin vs fixed dose warfarin of 1mg (FDW) vs dose adjusted warfarin (DAW) to maintain the international normalised ratio (INR) between 1.5 and 2.0. Clinicians, who were ‘certain’, randomised patients between FDW and DAW. The primary endpoint was the number of symptomatic catheter-related thrombotic events (CRT). Compared to no warfarin, warfarin (79% FDW; 21% DAW) did not reduce CRT [5.9% vs 5.9%; relative risk (RR) 0.99, (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.57-1.72), p=0.98]. However, compared to FDW, DAW was superior in preventing CRT [2.8% vs 7.2%; RR 0.38, (95%CI 0.20-0.71), p=0.002]. Major bleeding events were rare; an excess was observed with warfarin compared to no warfarin (7 vs 1, p=0.07) and with DAW compared to FDW (16 vs 7, p=0.09). There is no benefit in using low dose warfarin in CRT prophylaxis. DAW shows benefit over FDW but at a cost of major bleeding events. Subsequent meta-analysis confirmed the primary finding. This research has changed clinical practice internationally.
Supervisor: Not available Sponsor: Not available
Qualification Name: Thesis (Ph.D.) Qualification Level: Doctoral
EThOS ID: uk.bl.ethos.537282  DOI: Not available
Keywords: R Medicine (General) ; RA0421 Public health. Hygiene. Preventive Medicine ; RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer)
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