UF researchers receive ARISTA grant to study the effects of extended use of anticoagulants

Haesuk Park, Ph.D., an associate professor of pharmaceutical outcomes and policy, has received a two-year, $800,000 grant from the American Thrombosis Investigator Initiated Research Program, or ARISTA.  The proposed study aims to investigate the effects of extended use of apixaban or warfarin beyond six months of initial treatment on the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism and major bleeding events among patients with a history of venous thromboembolism.

Current guidelines recommend anticoagulation therapy for three to six months or longer after a venous thromboembolism incident. However, the optimal duration of anticoagulation is uncertain, but a longer duration of anticoagulation has been associated with a reduction in the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism events in clinical trials though concerns about bleeding often lead to a reluctance to continue anticoagulant therapy beyond six months.

The findings will better guide clinicians to understand comparative effectiveness, safety and duration of extended treatment of anticoagulants in real world clinical care settings.

Other UF College of Pharmacy faculty involved with the study include, Eric Dietrich, Pharm.D., Christina DeRemer, Pharm.D., Wei-Hsuan “Jenny” Lo-Ciganic, Ph.D., M.S., M.S.Pharm., and Joshua Brown, Pharm.D., Ph.D., M.S.