Project description:Venous disease is a term that broadly covers both venous thromboembolic disease and chronic venous disease. The basic pathophysiology of venous thromboembolism and chronic venous disease differ as venous thromboembolism results from an imbalance of hemostasis and thrombosis while chronic venous disease occurs in the setting of tissue damage because of prolonged venous hypertension. Both diseases are common and account for significant mortality and morbidity, respectively, and collectively make up a large health care burden. Despite both diseases having well-characterized environmental components, it has been known for decades that family history is an important risk factor, implicating a genetic element to a patient's risk. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of these diseases has greatly benefited from an expansion of population genetic studies from pioneering familial studies to large genome-wide association studies; we now have multiple risk loci for each venous disease. In this review, we will highlight the current state of knowledge on the epidemiology and genetics of venous thromboembolism and chronic venous disease and directions for future research.
Project description:ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate whether genetic variants can identify patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) at an increased risk of bleeding with warfarin.MethodsHokusai-venous thromboembolism (Hokusai VTE), a randomised, multinational, double-blind, non-inferiority trial, evaluated the safety and efficacy of edoxaban versus warfarin in patients with VTE initially treated with heparin. In this subanalysis of Hokusai VTE, patients genotyped for variants in CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genes were divided into three warfarin sensitivity types (normal, sensitive and highly sensitive) based on their genotypes. An exploratory analysis was also conducted comparing normal responders to pooled sensitive responders (ie, sensitive and highly sensitive responders).ResultsThe analysis included 47.7% (3956/8292) of the patients in Hokusai VTE. Among 1978 patients randomised to warfarin, 63.0% (1247) were normal responders, 34.1% (675) were sensitive responders and 2.8% (56) were highly sensitive responders. Compared with normal responders, sensitive and highly sensitive responders had heparin therapy discontinued earlier (p<0.001), had a decreased final weekly warfarin dose (p<0.001), spent more time overanticoagulated (p<0.001) and had an increased bleeding risk with warfarin (sensitive responders HR 1.38 [95% CI 1.11 to 1.71], p=0.0035; highly sensitive responders 1.79 [1.09 to 2.99]; p=0.0252).ConclusionIn this study, CYP2C9 and VKORC1 genotypes identified patients with VTE at increased bleeding risk with warfarin.Trial registration numberNCT00986154.
Project description:Edoxaban is used for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment. Real-life data are lacking about its use in long-term therapy. We aimed to assess the efficacy and the safety of edoxaban for long-term VTE treatment in a real-life setting. Patients with VTE included in the Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) registry, receiving edoxaban 60 or 30 mg daily were prospectively followed up to validate the benefit of using different dosages. The main outcome was the composite of VTE recurrences or major bleeding in patients with or without criteria for dose reduction. Multivariable analysis to identify predictors for the composite outcome was performed. From October 2015 to November 2019, 562 patients received edoxaban for long-term therapy. Most (94%) of the 416 patients not meeting criteria for dose reduction received 60 mg daily, and 92 patients meeting criteria (63%) received 30 mg daily. During treatment, two patients developed recurrent VTE, six had major bleeding and nine died (2 from fatal bleeding). Among patients not meeting criteria for dose reduction, those receiving 30 mg daily had a higher rate of the composite event (hazard ratio (HR) 8.37; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-42.4) and a significant higher mortality rate (HR 31.1; 95% CI 4.63-262) than those receiving 60 mg. Among patients meeting criteria for dose reduction, those receiving 60 mg daily had no events, and a nonsignificantly higher mortality rate (HR 5.04; 95% CI 0.54-133) than those receiving 30 mg daily. In conclusion, edoxaban seems to be effective and safe for long-term VTE treatment in real life. Criteria for dose reduction should be reformulated.
Project description:BackgroundUnprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is rare in pediatrics. Current recommendations for anticoagulation duration after unprovoked VTE differ for pediatric and adult populations.ObjectivesThis single-center, retrospective cohort study aimed to determine the incidence rate of recurrent VTE in children and adolescents with unprovoked VTE, evaluate the potential risk factors for recurrence, and describe the anticoagulation regimens and bleeding in this population.MethodsChildren with an index, unprovoked VTE at the age of 1 to <21 years between 2003 and 2021 were included. The time to recurrent VTE and anticoagulation duration were summarized using Kaplan-Meier estimators. Clinical covariates were assessed for association with recurrence using stratified Kaplan-Meier curves and univariate Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsEighty-five children met the inclusion criteria, and there were 26 recurrent events in 250 person-years of follow-up (incidence rate = 104 [95% CI, 71-153] per 1000 person-years). An age of ≥12 years at index VTE (hazard ratio [HR], 7.56; 95% CI, 1.60-35.83) and inherited thrombophilia (HR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.05-4.95) were significantly associated with recurrent VTE. Female sex had a nonstatistically significant decreased hazard of recurrence (HR, 0.56; 95% CI, 0.25-1.27). Duration of anticoagulation was variable, with a median duration of 274 days (IQR, 101-2357) for outpatient therapeutic anticoagulation. Twelve of the 26 (46%) recurrent events occurred while anticoagulation was prescribed.ConclusionThe incidence rate of recurrent VTE in pediatric patients with a prior unprovoked VTE is high, particularly for adolescents and those with inherited thrombophilia. Therefore, future research should focus on the efficacy of prolonged anticoagulation for this population.
Project description:ObjectiveVenous thromboembolism (VTE) is reported to occur in up to 33% of patients undergoing major vascular surgery. Despite this high incidence, patients inconsistently receive timely VTE chemoprophylaxis. The true incidence of VTE among patients receiving delayed VTE chemoprophylaxis is unknown. We sought to identify the association of VTE chemoprophylaxis timing on VTE risk, postoperative transfusion rates, and 30-day mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing major open vascular surgery.MethodsPatients undergoing major open vascular surgery (open abdominal aortic aneurysm [oAAA] repair, aortofemoral bypass, and lower extremity infrainguinal bypass [LEB]) were identified using the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative (MSQC) between July 2012 and June 2015. The VTE rate was compared between patients receiving early versus delayed VTE chemoprophylaxis. VTE chemoprophylaxis delay was defined as therapy initiation more than 24 hours after surgery. The risk-adjusted association of the chemoprophylaxis timing and VTE development was determined using multivariable logistic regression. Blood transfusion rates, 30-day mortality, and postoperative complications were compared across groups.ResultsA total of 2421 patients underwent major open vascular surgery, including 196 oAAA repair, 259 aortofemoral bypass, and 1966 LEB. The overall incidence of 30-day VTE was 1.40%, ranging from 1.12% for LEB to 3.57% for oAAA repair. Among patients receiving early VTE chemoprophylaxis, the rate of VTE was 0.78% versus 2.26% among those with a delay in VTE chemoprophylaxis (P = .002). When accounting for the preoperative risk of VTE, delayed chemoprophylaxis was associated with a significantly higher risk of VTE (odds ratio, 2.38; 95% confidence interval, 1.12-5.06; P = .024). The early VTE chemoprophylaxis group was associated with a significantly decreased risk of bleeding compared with those with a delay (14.31% vs 18.90%; P = .002). Overall 30-day mortality and postoperative complications were similar with the exception of an associated higher rate of infectious complications in the delayed VTE chemoprophylaxis group, including superficial surgical site infection (6.00% vs 4.06%; P = .028), pneumonia (3.25% vs 1.85%; P = .028), urinary tract infection (2.95% vs 1.57%; P = .020), and severe sepsis (3.05% vs 1.71%; P = .029).ConclusionsAlthough patients undergoing major open vascular surgery have a low risk of VTE at baseline, there is a significantly greater risk of developing VTE among patients who have a delay in the administration of VTE chemoprophylaxis. Postoperative transfusion rates were significantly lower among patients receiving early chemoprophylaxis. There were no differences in the 30-day mortality and postoperative complications, except for infectious complications. Given these findings, surgeons should consider early chemoprophylaxis in the postoperative setting after major open vascular surgery without contraindication.
Project description:BackgroundModern diagnostic strategies for venous thromboembolism (VTE) incorporate pretest probability (PTP; prevalence) assessment. The ability of diagnostic tests to correctly identify or exclude VTE is influenced by VTE prevalence and test accuracy characteristics.ObjectiveThese evidence-based guidelines are intended to support patients, clinicians, and health care professionals in VTE diagnosis. Diagnostic strategies were evaluated for pulmonary embolism (PE), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the lower and upper extremity, and recurrent VTE.MethodsThe American Society of Hematology (ASH) formed a multidisciplinary panel including patient representatives. The McMaster University GRADE Centre completed systematic reviews up to 1 October 2017. The panel prioritized questions and outcomes and used the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach to assess evidence and make recommendations. Test accuracy estimates and VTE population prevalence were used to model expected outcomes in diagnostic pathways. Where modeling was not feasible, management and accuracy studies were used to formulate recommendations.ResultsTen recommendations are presented, by PTP for patients with suspected PE and lower extremity DVT, and for recurrent VTE and upper extremity DVT.ConclusionsFor patients at low (unlikely) VTE risk, using D-dimer as the initial test reduces the need for diagnostic imaging. For patients at high (likely) VTE risk, imaging is warranted. For PE diagnosis, ventilation-perfusion scanning and computed tomography pulmonary angiography are the most validated tests, whereas lower or upper extremity DVT diagnosis uses ultrasonography. Research is needed on new diagnostic modalities and to validate clinical decision rules for patients with suspected recurrent VTE.
Project description:The association between inflammation, infection, and venous thrombosis has long been recognized; yet, only in the last decades have we begun to understand the mechanisms through which the immune and coagulation systems interact and reciprocally regulate one another. These interconnected networks mount an effective response to injury and pathogen invasion, but if unregulated can result in pathological thrombosis and organ damage. Neutrophils, monocytes, and platelets interact with each other and the endothelium in host defense and also play critical roles in the formation of venous thromboembolism. This knowledge has advanced our understanding of both human physiology and pathophysiology, as well as identified mechanisms of anticoagulant resistance and novel therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of thrombosis. In this review, we discuss the contributions of inflammation and infection to venous thromboembolism.
Project description:Venous thromboembolism, comprising deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a common disorder with at least 250 000 new events occurring each year in the United States alone. Treatment of venous thromboembolism includes anticoagulation, which is achieved initially with the use of a parenterally administered agent followed by a more prolonged course of treatment with an oral vitamin K antagonist. The duration of treatment depends on the clinical assessment of the benefit-to-risk ratio of prolonged anticoagulation versus the risk of recurrent events. In this review, we discuss some of the issues that we believe are among the most critical unanswered questions in the management of venous thromboembolism in the present era.
Project description:Venous thromboembolism (VTE; deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) is a well-established cause of morbidity and mortality in the medical and surgical patient populations. Clinical research in the prevention and treatment of VTE has been a dynamic field of study, with investigations into various treatment modalities ranging from mechanical prophylaxis to the direct oral anticoagulants. Aspirin has long been an inexpensive cornerstone of arterial vascular disease therapy, but its role in the primary or secondary prophylaxis of VTE has been debated. Risk-benefit tradeoffs between aspirin and anticoagulants have changed, in part due to advances in surgical technique and postoperative care, and in part due to the development of safe, easy-to-use oral anticoagulants. We review the proposed mechanisms in which aspirin may act on venous thrombosis, the evidence for aspirin use in the primary and secondary prophylaxis of VTE, and the risk of bleeding with aspirin as compared with anticoagulation.