Non-haemorrhagic adverse reactions of oral anticoagulant therapy

Oral anticoagulants are extensively used in everyday medical practice, especially for the prophylaxis of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism. Bleeding is the major risk of such therapy. Although infrequent, however, non-haemorrhagic complications may also play a considerable role. The purpose of this paper is briefly to review the most important non-haemorrhagic advese reactions and their clinical signs. Moreover, the pathogenetic hypotheses, the relationships with protein C and S levels, and the possibility of prevention and treatment are also discussed.