Thrombosis prophylaxis and outpatient medication

Thromboembolic prophylaxis must be provided for patients according to their individual risk profile (low, medium, high). After thrombotic events a met iculous record of all congenital and acquired risk factors is vital. The th romboembolic risk must be evaluated before initiating any in- or outpatient treatment since the examination findings and medical history will dictate customised therapeutic consequences in terms of the choice, duration and in tensity of anticoagulation in addition to physical therapy. The high risk o f reoccurrence must be remembered in patients with both congenital and acqu ired thrombophilic conditions. Patients must be carefully advised before or when beginning treatment. They must be informed of the various side effect s and uses of low molecular heparins and coumarin derivatives.