Thromboembolism in heart failure, old ideas and new challenges

Until now, the administration of antithrombotic therapy in patients with congestive heart failure has not been well codified. The incidence of thromboembolic complication, such as stroke, peripheral or pulmonary embolism, is regarded as too low to justify the use of anticoagulation in non-selected patients. However, other thrombotic complications may occur especially in patients with ischemic heart failure and represent potential targets for antithrombotic therapy. The objective of this paper is to review the available evidence in the absence of the results of large ongoing trials. (C) 2001 European Society of Cardiology. All rights reserved.