Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in the prevention of thromboemboli in chronic heart failure.

Thromboembolism is an important complication in patients with heart failure. Several recent clinical trials have established the efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in patients with heart failure and atrial fibrillation. There is renewed interest in examining the role of antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy in patients with heart failure in sinus rhythm. There is a need to identify patients at risk for thromboembolism in heart failure. However, there are data to suggest that occult thromboembolic events may contribute to disease progression, ischemic events, and sudden cardiac death. This review summarizes the incidence, potential mechanism, and therapeutic approaches for management of thromboembolism in heart failure.