Changes in Bone Density during Long-Term Administration of Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins or Acenocoumarol for Secondary Prophylaxis of Venous Thromboembolism

Abstract

Long-term exposure to treatment and prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism cause a modest but progressive decrease in BMD, more evident in patients on LMWH than on acenocoumarol. It might be advisable to perform densitometry before starting long-term anticoagulation and to repeat it every 12 months, especially in patients with concomitant risk factors for osteoporosis in order to identify patients in need of its prophylaxis.