Haematologic agents

Direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of portal vein thrombosis: a therapeutic review

Despite being unlicensed for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis, direct oral anticoagulants may offer benefits over oral vitamin K antagonists and low molecular weight heparins. Here, the current evidence-base related to their use for this indication is evaluated to inform and educate healthcar…

Anticoagulants can increase survival in hospitalised patients with moderate COVID-19, trial data show

Findings from three integrated trials have shown patients with moderate COVID-19 who were treated with therapeutic-dose anticoagulation heparin were less likely to need organ support.…

Pharmacist advice on inappropriate direct oral anticoagulant prescribing accepted in four out of five cases

Data from a study of hospitalised patients in Belgium show hospital physicians accepted advice on dose adjustment for direct oral anticoagulants in almost 80% of cases.…

NHS Health Checks catch patients who would benefit from statins but majority are not prescribed them

Of eligible patients who attended an NHS Health Check, 26 in 1,000 were prescribed statins, compared with 8 in 1,000 of those who did not attend, study results show.…

Gillian Leng: ‘COVID-19 has been a strain, but also an opportunity’

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence’s new chief executive, Gillian Leng, took the helm in April 2020. She speaks to us about what lessons the organisation has taken away from the past year.…

Top ten research briefings of 2020

This year, all but one of our most-popular research briefings were, unsuprisingly, on the topic of COVID-19.…

Consistent use of statins linked to reduced risk of cancer death

Women who take cholesterol-lowering medicines, who are subsequently diagnosed with breast cancer, colorectal cancer or melanoma, are less likely to die from their cancer if they adhere to their cholesterol medicines, research published in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology has su…

Patients taking placebo and statins experience similar side effects

Patients experience similar side effects taking a placebo as they do taking a statin, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine has suggested.…

Warfarin use linked to increased risk of knee and hip replacement

Use of warfarin is associated with a greater risk of knee and hip replacements compared with use of direct oral anticoagulants, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology’s annual meeting.…

Polypill with aspirin cuts heart attacks and strokes by almost a third, study suggests

A polypill combining three blood pressure medicines and a statin, taken with aspirin, reduces the incidence of cardiovascular events occurring in at-risk groups by more than 30%, research has suggested.…