Relapses of thromboembolic disease after discontinued anticoagulant therapy: A comparison of the incidence after abrupt and after gradual termination of treatment

On 89 occasions anticoagulant therapy for thromboembolic disease was stopped electively. Treatment was reduced gradually over a six week period on 42 occasions and stopped abruptly on 47. Patients were followed up for four months afterwards. The relapse rate was 21 per cent after stopping treatment abruptly and 17 per cent after doing so gradually. The difference is not statistically significant, and suggests that gradual reduction in anticoagulant dosage over a period of weeks is without appreciable benefit as far as preventing recurrence of thromboembolic disease is concerned.