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(Circulation. 2001;103:2453.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.
Clinical Investigation and Reports |
Comparison of 3 and 6 Months of Oral Anticoagulant Therapy After a First Episode of Proximal Deep Vein Thrombosis or Pulmonary Embolism and Comparison of 6 and 12 Weeks of Therapy After Isolated Calf Deep Vein Thrombosis
From the Department of Internal Medicine (L.P., J.N., P.D., S.D.-R., I.D.), the Clinical Pharmacology Unit (S.C., P.N., J.-P.B.), and the Pneumological Unit (C.S.), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Lyon, France.
Correspondence to Dr Laurent Pinède, Department of Internal Medicine, Edouard Herriot Hospital, 69437 Lyons Cedex 03, France. E-mail laurent.pinede{at}chu-lyon.fr
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Abstract |
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 Top Abstract IntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionAppendix 1References |
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Background—The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of venous thromboembolism remains controversial.
Methods and Results—We performed an open-label, randomized trial comparing a short oral anticoagulant course (3 months for proximal deep vein thrombosis [P-DVT] and/or pulmonary embolism [PE]; 6 weeks for isolated calf DVT [C-DVT]) with a long course of therapy (6 months for P-DVT/PE; 12 weeks for C-DVT). The outcome events were recurrences and major, minor, or fatal bleeding complications. A total of 736 patients were enrolled. There were 23 recurrences of venous thromboembolism in the short treatment group (6.4%) and 26 in the long treatment group (7.4%); the 2 treatment regimens had an equivalent effect. For the hemorrhage end point, the difference between the short and the long treatment groups was not significant: 15.5% versus 18.4% for all events (P=0.302), 1.7% versus 2.8% (P=0.291) for major events, and 13.9% versus 15.3% for minor bleeding. Subgroup analysis demonstrated that the rate of recurrence was lower for C-DVT than for P-DVT or PE.
Conclusions—After isolated C-DVT, 6 weeks of oral anticoagulation is sufficient. For P-DVT or PE, we demonstrated an equivalence between 3 and 6 months of anticoagulant therapy. For patients with temporary risk factors who have a low risk of recurrence, 3 months of treatment seems to be sufficient. For patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism or permanent risk factors who have a high risk of recurrence, other trials are necessary to assess prolonged therapy beyond 6 months.
Key Words: venous thrombosis • pulmonary embolism • anticoagulants
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Introduction |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionAppendix 1References |
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In the treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE), heparin therapy and the moment at which to introduce oral anticoagulant therapy in the acute phase are well defined.1 2 3 The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of VTE remains a matter of debate, and it is essential to balance the desired effect of the anticoagulants in reducing recurrence against the risk of iatrogenic bleeding complications.4 5
The annual cumulative incidence of recurrence ranges from 4% to 17% in prospective studies6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 and from 4% to 8% in studies published since 1992.6 7 8 9 A recent trial14 showed a high recurrence (27%), but all patients included in that trial had idiopathic VTE and one-third of them had hypercoagulable states.
The estimation of the risk of hemorrhage must not be neglected in practice because major bleeding is a rare but severe event.4 15 The annual incidence of major hemorrhagic complications varies from 0.2% to 3% per patient-year.16 17 The incidence of minor hemorrhage is greater (6% to 14%). This bleeding risk is dependent on the duration of treatment, the intensity or variability of anticoagulation, the occurrence of drug interactions, treatment compliance, the patient’s age, and the presence of comorbid illness.15 18 19
A 6-week regimen of oral anticoagulant therapy is currently recommended for isolated calf deep vein thrombosis (C-DVT),20 and a 3- to 6-month treatment is recommended for proximal DVT (P-DVT) or for pulmonary embolism (PE).1 2 3 4 5 7 The existence of risk factors at the initial episode of thrombosis must be considered. Temporary (transient) risk factors include surgery, trauma, plaster for broken leg, puerperium, and immobilization for medical conditions; permanent (continuous) risk factors include obesity, varicosity, heart failure, bedridden status, malignancy, and congenital or acquired thrombophilia. Idiopathic (spontaneous) VTE is defined as VTE that occurs in the absence of triggering risk factors or a family history of thrombosis.21 A short anticoagulant course is recommended for patients with temporary risk factors, and a long anticoagulant course is recommended for those with permanent risk factors or idiopathic VTE.3 4 7 8 9 14 22
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Methods |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionAppendix 1References |
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The Durée Optimale du Traitement AntiVitamines K (DOTAVK) study was a open-label, randomized, controlled trial in parallel groups that compared different durations of anticoagulation in patients with a first episode of VTE. It was approved by the Lyons local ethics committee.
Eligibility
Inclusion criteria were age >18 years, written
informed consent, and symptomatic C-DVT (thrombus below
popliteal vein), P-DVT, or PE that was confirmed by positive
Doppler ultrasonography or venography (venography was indispensable
if the upper extremity thrombus was not clearly seen by ultrasound
methods). The diagnosis of PE was based on clinical, biological, ECG,
or radiological criteria, and confirmation by perfusion-ventilation
lung scanning was requested. Pulmonary angiography was required
if the lung scan showed a low probability of PE or an absence of DVT on
duplex scan or venography. More recently, thoracic helical computed
tomography was used to diagnosis PE.
Exclusion criteria were pregnancy, breast feeding, previous VTE, vena cava filter implantation, surgical thrombectomy, free-floating thrombus in the inferior vena cava lumen, DVT or PE whose diagnosis did not fulfill the criteria described above, evolutive cancer or malignant hematological disease, known biological thrombophilia, severe PE (defined by an amputation of >50% of vascularization), PE treated by thrombolysis (considered a marker of severe PE), myocardiopathy or other diseases justifying prolonged anticoagulation therapy, and liver insufficiency.
Randomization and Study Treatment
Patients were sequentially randomized at the end of
the heparin therapy using a centralized, computer-generated allocation
schedule in blocks of 4; the schedule was stratified for C-DVT or
P-DVT/PE.
Day 1 of the protocol was the first day when oral anticoagulants were used alone. All patients received fluindione, a vitamin K antagonist with a long half-life that is usually started in the first 5 days after beginning heparin therapy.
During the acute phase of VTE, physicians were free to use either intravenous or subcutaneous unfractionated heparin or 1 or 2 daily injections of low-molecular-weight heparin. The recommended duration of heparin therapy was at least 5 days and until an anticoagulation value within the international normalized ratio (INR) target range had been achieved.
For P-DVT, thrombolytic therapy could be given initially if indicated; for patients with DVT, graduated compression stockings were systematically recommended.
Oral anticoagulation was targeted to an INR of 2.0 to 3.0. INR determinations were repeated daily during the initiation of oral anticoagulants. When the dose of fluindione had been adjusted and heparin stopped, the recommended frequency of testing was 3 times weekly for the first week, twice weekly for the next 2 weeks, once weekly for the next 3 weeks, and subsequently every 2 weeks. The INR value had to be measured quickly if a bleeding complication occurred.
Follow-Up
A 15-month follow-up was requested to obtain a mean
follow-up of 12 months for all patients after withdrawal of
anticoagulants. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1.5, 3, 6, and 15
months after randomization; during visits, the patients were asked
about new symptoms of VTE and possible
hemorrhage.
End Points
Recurrent VTE and hemorrhage (major, minor,
or fatal) were the end points. An independent central adjudication
committee blindly reviewed and validated each end point.
Hemorrhage was defined as major when it required
hospitalization, transfusion, or treatment with blood products or
vitamin K; when intracranial, intraocular, intraarticular, or
retroperitoneal; and/or when the hemoglobin level fell by 
20 g/L. It
was defined as minor in all other cases. Recurrent thromboembolic
events were objectively verified by the same methods as inclusion
criteria. Recurrent DVT was defined as a thrombus in the other leg,
another deep vein of the same leg, or in the same venous system with a
proximal extension at least 5 cm above the original
thrombus.
Statistical Analysis
The incidence of recurrent VTE (equivalence outcome)
and of bleeding (difference outcome) was assessed by (1)
univariate analysis that compared the long
treatment regimen (6 months for P-DVT/PE; 12 weeks for isolated C-DVT)
with the short regimen (3 months for P-DVT/PE; 6 weeks for C-DVT); (2)
a predefined stratification analysis comparing patients with
isolated C-DVT and those with P-DVT/PE; and (3) a predefined subgroup
analysis with variables such as effective oral
anticoagulation, management of heparin treatment before randomization,
and risk factors at inclusion.
A 
2 test or Fisher’s exact
test was performed for dichotomous variables, and a
Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test or
t test was used for ordinal or
quantitative variables. Analyses were performed using
SAS software version 6.12 on a
computer.
On the basis of published
data,10 11 12 13
we assumed in 1992 a 10% per-year incidence of recurrence with
an equivalence interval of 4.5% and an incidence of bleeding (major
and minor) of 5% at 6 weeks, 10% at 12 weeks, and 17.5% at 24 weeks.
Given these assumptions, at least 1500 patients needed to be included
to demonstrate an equivalence for the recurrence end point, and
1800 patients were needed to show a difference for the
hemorrhage end point (both with a 2-tailed test, an 
risk of
0.05, and a ß risk of 0.2). However, the study was interrupted after
the enrollment of 736 patients over 5 years because the Steering
Committee and the Independent Supervisory Committee, unaware of the
results, decided that the slow recruitment rate was not compatible with
its continuation.
For the hemorrhage end point, statistical analysis was performed on an intention-to-treat basis, and for the recurrence end point, it was performed on an intention-to-treat basis and a per-protocol basis.
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Results |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionAppendix 1References |
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Between September 1993 and June 1998 (follow-up was completed in September 1999), 736 patients were randomized.
The baseline characteristics in the 2 treatment groups were
similar (Tables 1
and 2). The inclusion criteria were not
respected for 4 patients. Four other patients were not randomized
according to the correct level of their DVT. A total of 82 patients
received oral anticoagulation for shorter or longer periods than
scheduled for the following reasons: major or fatal hemorrhage
(n=5), death (n=3), surgery (n=8), cancer or biological thrombophilia
discovered during follow-up (n=34), recent atrial fibrillation (n=4),
error or voluntary decision of the patients or the
practitioners (n=27), and recurrence during
treatment (n=1). There were 20 withdrawals (4 in the short and 16 in
the long treatment group) and 62 prolongations of anticoagulant therapy
(30 in the short and 32 in the long treatment group). These patients,
in addition to those wrongly included (n=90), were not considered in
the per-protocol analysis.
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The results are shown in
Table 3. A total of 24 patients died (3.4%), and 22
dropped out (3%). Cancer was discovered in 25 patients
(3.6%).
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For recurrent VTE, we observed equivalence between the
2 treatment groups in both the intention-to-treat and per-protocol
analyses (risk difference was, respectively, -1.0% and
-0.5% in favor of the short duration; 95% CI, respectively, was
-4.7 to 2.7 and -4.6 to 3.6). None of the recurrent thromboembolic
events were fatal. Among the 49 recurrent events, 9 occurred in
patients during treatment; these included bilateral DVT (n=1),
ipsilateral DVT (n=3), contralateral DVT (n=1), and isolated PE (n=4).
Cancer also occurred in 4 of these patients. The remaining 40
thromboembolic events occurred after the withdrawal of anticoagulants
and were distributed between PE (n=13; 3 isolated PE, 6 with
ipsilateral DVT, and 4 with contralateral DVT) and isolated DVT (n=27;
16 ipsilateral, 8 contralateral, and 3 bilateral). The cumulative
incidence of recurrent thromboembolism for each assigned treatment
group is shown in
Figure 1.
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Regarding bleeding complications, there was no significant
difference between the 2 treatment groups
(Table 3
). The one fatal hemorrhage was a massive
hematemesis that occurred in a 64-year old man who was not receiving
excessive anticoagulation (INR=2.3). The major hemorrhages
(n=16) were gastrointestinal (n=5), muscular or subcutaneous hematoma
(n=5), hematuria (n=3), hemoptysis (n=1), epistaxis (n=1), and
intracranial hematoma (n=1). Nine of these patients were excessively
anticoagulated (6 with INR >4.0; 3 with INR between 3.0 and 4.0). The
cumulative incidence of bleeding is shown in
Figure 2.
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For both end points, a stratification analysis
(Table 4) was performed for patients with isolated C-DVT and
with P-DVT or PE (risk difference was, respectively, -1.4% and
-0.6% in favor of the short duration; 95% CI was, respectively,
-6.1 to 3.2 and -5.3 to 4.2). Overall, the recurrence rate
was clearly lower for patients with C-DVT (2.6%) than it was for those
with P-DVT or PE (8.4%).
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A subgroup analysis revealed equivalence for the
recurrence end point and no significant difference for the
hemorrhage end point in each subgroup
(Table 5). Patients with permanent risk factors, idiopathic
VTE, or cancer had a significantly higher risk of recurrence.
Those with temporary risk factors had a lower risk of
recurrence. The quality of initial heparin therapy did not
influence rates of recurrence or bleeding complications. To
assess the efficacy of oral anticoagulant therapy, we determined the
median INR in patients for whom several INR values were available (77%
of patients; n=564). The therapy was said to be effective when the
median INR was 2.0 (n=541) and ineffective when the median INR was
<2.0 (n=23). Treatment efficacy did not influence the incidence of the
2 end points. The quality of long-term anticoagulation was similar in
the 2 treatment groups.
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Discussion |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionAppendix 1References |
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The DOTAVK study is the first controlled trial in which patients with P-DVT and/or PE were randomly assigned to 3 or 6 months of secondary prophylaxis and in which P-DVT and C-DVT were separately assessed. We found equivalence between the 2 treatment regimens (long and short) for the recurrence outcome and no significant increase in bleeding complications in the long regimen, including patients with permanent risk factors or idiopathic VTE. There was a much lower incidence of recurrent events in patients with isolated C-DVT. For patients with P-DVT/PE, our study demonstrates equivalence between 3 and 6 months of treatment.
The principal limitations of our study are the open design and its early interruption. However, it remains the second largest of all randomized studies in this field. Moreover, during the course of the DOTAVK study (planning in 1992, results in 1999), the state of the art changed.
Four randomized studies10 11 12 13 had been published at the time our trial was conceived. They argued in favor of the short treatment regimen (3, 4, or 6 weeks), but they had a low power and only the recurrence end point was analyzed. The validation of either DVT or PE at diagnosis and during follow-up was not always assessed by objective procedures.10 13
Three methodologically stronger studies were subsequently published; they concluded that the duration of oral anticoagulant therapy should be at least 3 months and probably 6 months.7 8 9 The British Thoracic Society trial8 has been criticized because objective confirmation of the initial diagnosis and of recurrences was not always obtained. The soundest trial, the DURation of AntiCoagulation (DURAC) trial,7 found a significant reduction in the risk of recurrent VTE when the duration of oral anticoagulant therapy was extended from 6 weeks to 6 months.
The Long Anticoagulation after First episode of Idiopathic Thrombosis (LAFIT) trial14 demonstrated that patients with a first episode of idiopathic VTE should be treated for longer than 3 months, and the recently reported Warfarin Optimal Duration Italian Trial (WODIT)22 suggested that anticoagulation should be prolonged for >1 year.
In conclusion, our study shows equivalence between the 2 treatment regimens for recurrence (ie, 6 or 12 weeks for isolated C-DVT and 3 or 6 months for P-DVT and/or PE), without a significant increase in bleeding complications. A meta-analysis of all the available evidence summarized above23 suggests that longer therapy could be beneficial, with an acceptable risk of bleeding. In addition, because the number of risk factors and initial conditions influence the risk of recurrence, a tailored duration might be the proper way to manage each case. To design the appropriate tools, new clinical trials are needed that are specifically designed for patients at a high risk of recurrence who could benefit from a long course of treatment (idiopathic VTE and biological thrombophilia), with assessment of a lower level of prolonged anticoagulation. In addition, a meta-analysis on individual data, regrouping the available data from the controlled trials, is also needed. We propose to perform this meta-analysis in an international collaborative project.
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Appendix 1 |
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TopAbstractIntroductionMethodsResultsDiscussionAppendix 1References |
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DOTAVK Study Group
Principal Investigator
Laurent Pinede
Steering Committee
Jean-Pierre Boissel, Marc Dechavanne, Jacques Ninet,
and Jean Pasquier
Event Adjudication Committee
Isabelle Durieu, Patrice Nony, and Christian
Sanson
Independent Supervision and Safety
Committee
Bernard Boneu, Henri Bounameaux, Evelyne Eschwege,
and Gérald Simonneau
Central Data Management Offices (Lyon,
France)
Edouard-Herriot Hospital: Valerie Prost and
Marie-Laure Boncors; Clinical Pharmacology Unit: Magali Herve and
Sylvie Chabaud
Participating Centers
Centers are listed in order of the number of
patients enrolled. CHU Edouard Herriot et l’Antiquaille, Lyon: S.
Demolombe-Ragué, C. Dolmazon, P. Duhaut, C. Gavaud, M.H.
Girard-Madoux, P. Miranda, and J. Ninet; CHU Hôpital Civil,
Strasbourg: P. Desarnauts, J.L. Imbs, J.C. Soskin, and B. Stephan;
Centre Hospitalier, Saint Die: J.L. Bourdon, M.F. Bragard, and F. Vine;
Clinique du Val Fleury, Macon: A. Thivolle; CHU Hautepierre,
Strasbourg: B. Goichot and F. Grunenberger; Centre Hospitalier, Saint
Brieuc: G. Dien and E. Duhamel; CHU Lyon Sud, Pierre-Benite: C. Grange,
R. Levrat, and D. Vital-Durand; CHU Saint Eloi, Montpellier: I. Quere
and C. Janbon; CHU Côte de Nacre, Caen: J.F. Desson; Centre
Hospitalier, Arras: A. Rifai; Centre Hospitalier, Vesoul: D. Debieuvre
and M.F. Maheu; Hôpital Sainte Blandine, Metz: N. Baille and F.
Maurier; Centre Hospitalier, Brignoles: G. Ramos; Centre Hospitalier,
Châlons: J. Grosos; CHU Hotel Dieu, Rennes: J.C. Pony and M.
Laurent; Centre Hospitalier, Blois: P. Friocourt; CHU Hôpital
Civil, Strasbourg: J.C. Weber; Centre Hospitalier, Dole: F. Appfel, P.
Goffette, and D. Magnin; CHU La Meynard, Fort De France: C. Chatot
Henry and G. Sobesky; CHU Gabriel Montpied, Clermont-Ferrand: J.
Schmidt; Clinique du Vert Galant, Tremblay-en-France: O. Talvard;
Clinique Beau Soleil, Montpellier: A. Dubois; Centre Hospitalier,
Soissons: D. Line, J.M. Taupin, and P. Venet; Hôpital Des
Armées Legouest, Metz: D. Verrot; Hôpital Des Armées
Desgenettes, Lyon: A. Flechaire; CHU Saint Louis, Paris: B. Chanu and
D. Farge; Centre Hospitalier, Foix: J. Capdeville; Hôpital La
Croix Saint Simon, Paris: J. Aerts; Centre Hospitalier, Mende: M.
Bourrat; CHU Vandoeuvre, Nancy: A. Grentzinger; CHU Saint André,
Bordeaux: N. Bernard; Clinique MGEN, Maisons Laffitte: Y. Colin; Centre
Hospitalier, Jonsac; D. Rakotoarimanana; Centre Hospitalier
Saint-Joseph, Lyon: J. Boutarin; CHU Michallon, Grenoble: F.
Sarrot-Reynauld and C. Massot; CHU La Robertsau, Strasbourg: B. Zultak;
Centre Hospitalier, Compiègne: R. Cevallos; CHU Hôpital
Civil, Strasbourg: A. Dietemann; Clinique Mutualiste, Lyon: A. Penet;
Clinique du Tonkin, Villeurbanne: C. Jurus; Centre Hospitalier, Nevers:
A. Auperin; Centre Hospitalier, Tarbes: J.A. Silvani; CHU Lariboisiere,
Paris: A.W. Kedra; CHU Saint-Antoine, Paris; T. Desfemmes-Baleyte;
Rennes: G. Guyon; Centre Hospitalier, Antibes: J.M. Chavaillon and C.
Rotomondo; CHU Saint André, Bordeaux: J. Constans and C. Conri ;
Centre Hospitalier, Moulins: G. Siboni; CHU Sabourin, Clermont Ferrand:
D. Caillaud and H. Janicot; Centre Hospitalier, Annemasse: C. Alliot;
CHU Jean Minjoz, Besancon: M. Becker-Schneider and B. DeWazieres;
Centre Hospitalier, Elbeuf: O. Carrara and M. Sibille; Clinique du
Parc, Lyon: F. Bezot; Clinique du Landy, Saint Ouen: M.P. Deleze;
Centre Hospitalier, Thionville: C. Schandel; Le Lion d’Angers: M.
Barre-Bernard and J. Halligon; Centre Hospitalier, Vannes: J.
Broussaud; Centre Hospitalier, Saint Junien: P. Houles; Foix: A. Viard;
Centre Hospitalier, Givors: G. Letanche; Centre Hospitalier, Colombes:
J. Pouchot; Centre Hospitalier, Coulommiers: M. Gatfosse; Centre
Hospitalier, Vesoul: C. Lebrun and J.P. Ory; Centre Hospitalier, Dax:
B. Lahitton; Centre Hospitalier, Bourgoin: M. Fabre; CHU La
Croix-Rousse, Lyon: G. Tremeau and M. Perol; Centre Hospitalier,
Argentan: M. Gofard; Centre Hospitalier, L’aigle: N. Wong-So; Centre
Hospitalier, Langres: M. Martelet; CHU, Nice: E. Ferrari; Centre
Hospitalier, Epinal: J. Velcker; Polyclinique, Rillieux-La-Pape: H.L.
Olivier; Centre Hospitalier, Dinan: M. Barbry; Centre Hospitalier,
Perigueux: S. Lacroix; Figeac: J. Michaud; Centre Hospitalier, Belfort:
M. Feissel; Montelimar: R. Garden; Echirolles: B. Roger; Clinique Saint
Vincent, Besancon: R. Faivre; CHU Ambroise Paré, Boulogne: T.
Hanslik; Centre Hospitalier, La-Seyne-Sur-Mer: J. Beltran; Centre
Hospitalier Saint-Joseph, Lyon: P. Bachet; Hôpital Saint Vincent,
Lille: M. Mahieu; CHU Pitie-Salpetriere, Paris: P. Cacoub; CHU Henri
Gabrielle, Saint-Genis-Laval: G. Rode; CHU, Limoges: T. Boely; Centre
Hospitalier, La-Roche-Sur-Yon: G. Mialet; Centre Hospitalier,
Montreuil-Sur-Mer: N. Petetin; Polyclinique de Picardie, Amiens: E.
Laine; Lens: E. Demullier; Sète: J. Ettori; Centre Hospitalier,
Cahors: M. Farny; Polyclinique des Minguettes, Vénissieux: F.
Vieville; La-Roche-Sur-Yon: J.Y. Boutin; La Garde: P. Caron; CHU
Michallon, Grenoble: B. Imbert; CHU Lyon Sud, Pierre-Benite: P.J.
Souquet; CHU Hôtel Dieu, Lyon: C. Savy and C. Broussolle; Centre
Hospitalier, Privas: M. Lapeyssonnie; Voiron: D. Lebrun; CHU Laennec,
Paris: C. Le-Jeunne and M. Fiszbin; Centre Hospitalier, Meaux: M.
Grivaux; Clinique Médicale, Belloy-En-France: J.F. Robert; Centre
Hospitalier, Senlis: G. Mougeot; Centre Hospitalier, Armentieres: J.Y.
Ketelers; Centre Hospitalier, Allauch: B. Diadema and M. Escande.
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Acknowledgments |
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The DOTAVK study was financially supported by the French Ministry of Health (HCL-PHRC n°93-95.010), Hospices Civils de Lyon, Conseil Régional Rhône-Alpes, and the Association pour la recherche et l’évaluation thérapeutique (APRET).
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Footnotes |
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1 A complete list of investigators and participating centers can be found in the Appendix.
Received December 18, 2000; revision received February 7, 2001; accepted February 26, 2001.
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