Hematologic malignancies and thrombosis

Patients with hematologic malignancies have an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), particularly at diagnosis and during the treatment with chemotherapy, asparaginase or immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs). A disease-dependent hypercoagulable condition associated with other risk factors like drugs, central venous catheter (CVC), immobility and infections are responsible for this high VTE rate. Thrombotic complications have a significant impact on morbidity and in some cases also on mortality of patients with oncohematologic diseases, therefore thromboprophylaxis to prevent VTE in this setting is needed. However, thrombocytopenia and hemorrhagic complications pone many difficulties in the management of an anticoagulant or antiaggregant treatment in these patients. Recommendations from current guidelines are limited to multiple myeloma patients treated with thalidomide or lenalidomide associated with dexamethasone or chemotherapy, but hematological clinical departments should implement a policy for prevention and treatment of thromboembolic complications in hematologic malignancies. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.