The optimal duration of anticoagulation after a first episode of unprovoked
deep-vein thrombosis is uncertain. We aimed to assess the benefits and risks of an additional 18 months of treatment with
warfarin versus placebo, after an initial 6 months of anticoagulation for a first unprovoked proximal
deep-vein thrombosis. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing an additional 18 months of
warfarin with placebo in patients with a unprovoked proximal
deep-vein thrombosis initially treated for 6 months (treatment period: 18 months; follow up
after treatment period: 24 months). The primary outcome was the composite of recurrent
venous thromboembolism or major
bleeding at 18 months. Secondary outcomes were the composite at 42 months, as well as each component of the composite, and death unrelated to
pulmonary embolism or major
bleeding, at 18 and 42 months. All outcomes were centrally adjudicated. A total of 104 patients, enrolled between July 2007 and October 2013 were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis; no patient was lost to follow-up. During the 18-month treatment period, the primary outcome occurred in none of the 50 patients in the
warfarin group and in 16 out of 54 patients (cumulative risk, 29.6%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.01 to 0.09; P<0.001). During the entire 42-month study period, the composite outcome occurred in 14 patients (cumulative risk, 36.8%) in the
warfarin group and 17 patients (cumulative risk, 31.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.35-1.46). In conclusion, after a first unprovoked proximal
deep-vein thrombosis initially treated for 6 months, an additional 18 months of
warfarin therapy reduced the composite of recurrent
venous thrombosis and major
bleeding compared to placebo. However, this benefit was not maintained after stopping anticoagulation. Clinical registration: this trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00740493.