Pharmacological Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Terminally Ill Patients: A Need or Futility?

Authors

  • Laura Serranito Family Health Unit “Delta”. Agrupamento de Centros de Saúde de Lisboa Ocidental e Oeiras. Paço d’Arcos.
  • Paulo Reis-Pina Palliative Care Unit “Bento Menni”. Casa de Saúde da Idanha. Sintra. Medical School. Universidade do Minho. Braga. Medical School. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20344/amp.12932

Keywords:

Anticoagulants/therapeutic use, Enoxaparin, Fibrinolytic Agents, Palliative Care, Venous Thromboembolism/prevention & control

Abstract

The aim of this case is to clarify the need to maintain the terminally ill oncological patients who have had a thrombotic event in the course of their underlying disease under antithrombotic therapy. This case addresses a 63-year-old man with stage IV gastric antrum adenocarcinoma, completely bed-ridden and anticoagulated with subcutaneous enoxaparin for more than a year, following deep venous thrombosis of the left lower limb. After reviewing the literature, it was found that, for end-of-life patients, anticoagulation seems to have little benefit as the main objective is not the extension of life itself, but rather the preservation of the best quality of life through practices that are well established in the relief of suffering.

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Author Biography

Paulo Reis-Pina, Palliative Care Unit “Bento Menni”. Casa de Saúde da Idanha. Sintra. Medical School. Universidade do Minho. Braga. Medical School. Universidade de Lisboa. Lisboa.

Ex-Médico da Unidade de Dor do IPOLFG, EPE Ex-Médico da Equipa de Cuidados Paliativos do IPOLFG, EPE preispina@doctor.com

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Published

2022-02-01

How to Cite

1.
Serranito L, Reis-Pina P. Pharmacological Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism in Terminally Ill Patients: A Need or Futility?. Acta Med Port [Internet]. 2022 Feb. 1 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];35(2):147-9. Available from: https://actamedicaportuguesa.com/revista/index.php/amp/article/view/12932

Issue

Section

Case Report