Overview

This presentation will include a thorough review of the literature and remaining controversies in terms of anticoagulation for cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE), from historical data of warfarin versus low molecular weight heparin to more recent landmark direct oral anticoagulants trials. This data will be supplemented by a discussion on pharmacologic properties and clinical pearls of anticoagulants, in addition to considerations for special populations. Ultimately, the presentation will discuss how to apply the literature to select the optimal anticoagulant for cancer-associated VTE, considering both patient and disease-specific characteristics.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify current guidelines and challenges related to anticoagulation in patients with cancer
2. Describe the pharmacologic properties of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH), and warfarin
3. Discuss limitations with the landmark trials for DOACs in cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE)
4. Recognize disease- and patient-specific characteristics that inform the selection of the optimal anticoagulant in patients with cancer-associated VTE