Usefulness of D-Dimer Testing in Predicting Recurrence in Elderly Patients with Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism

Background

Whether post-anticoagulation D-dimer levels are useful in predicting recurrence in elderly patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism is unknown.

Predictors and Causes of Long-Term Mortality in Elderly Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Long-term predictors and causes of death are understudied in elderly patients with acute venous thromboembolism.

Risk of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism: A Danish Nationwide Cohort Study

Purpose

In this study, we aimed to estimate recurrence risk after incident venous thromboembolism, stratified according to unprovoked, provoked, and cancer-related venous thromboembolism in a prospective cohort of inpatients and outpatients receiving routine care.

Incidence of Thrombocytopenia in Hospitalized Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

Purpose

To determine the incidence of heparin-associated thrombocytopenia in patients receiving prophylaxis or treatment for venous thromboembolism.

Methods

We assessed the database of the National Hospital Discharge Survey from 1979 through 2005 and complemented this with a meta-analysis of published literature.

Result

Among 10,554,000 patients discharged from short-stay hospitals throughout the US with venous thromboembolism during the 27 years of study, secondary thrombocytopenia was coded in 38,000 patients (0.36%). From 1979 through 1992, secondary thrombocytopenia was coded in only 0.15% of hospitalized patients with venous thromboembolism. The frequency increased sharply to 0.54% from 1993 through 2005. Secondary thrombocytopenia was rarely diagnosed among 1,446,000 patients aged <40 years and among 77,000 women who had venous thromboembolism with deliveries. Meta-analysis of published literature showed a higher incidence among patients who received unfractionated heparin (UFH) for prophylaxis than those who received low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) for prophylaxis. Treatment resulted in smaller differences of the incidence between UFH and LMWH.

Conclusion

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia is rare among patients aged <40 years and women following delivery. The risk of heparin-associated thrombocytopenia is more duration-related than dose-related, and higher with UFH when used for an extended duration. Our findings and those of the literature suggest that although heparin-associated thrombocytopenia is uncommon, the incidence can be minimized by use of LMWH, particularly if extended prophylaxis or extended treatment is required.     

Decision-Making in the Management of Venous Thromboembolism

Venous thromboembolism comprising deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus is common. Patients with venous thromboembolism may present to a variety of health care providers, and while a significant proportion of patients begin treatment in the hospital, ambulatory management of both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolus is feasible and becoming more common. Initial anticoagulant management, investigation of venous thromboembolism etiology, and decisions about extended anticoagulation require coordinated care by physicians from multiple specialties. Comprehensive management of venous thromboembolism requires coordinated care from the time of presentation in order to expedite diagnosis, initiate timely anticoagulant treatment, determine the need for extended anticoagulation based on risk of bleeding and recurrent thrombosis, and advise on thromboprophylaxis during future high-risk periods for venous thromboembolism. In this review we use case scenarios to provide an operational framework, based on current evidence-based recommendations, for informed decision-making about a number of clinical practice issues that are frequently encountered in the management of venous thromboembolism patients.     

Statins Decrease the Occurrence of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Cancer

Background

Recent data suggest a reduction in the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in select groups of patients who use statins. The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of statin use on the occurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients with solid organ tumor.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective, case-control study reviewing 740 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of solid organ tumor who were admitted to the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia, Penn, between October 2004 and September 2007. Patients treated with anticoagulation therapy before their first admission were excluded. The occurrence of venous thromboembolism, risk factors for venous thromboembolism, and statin use were recorded. Patients who never used statins or had used them for less than 2 months were relegated to the control group.

Results

The mean age of the study population was 65 years, and 52% of the patients were women and 76% were African American. The occurrence of venous thromboembolism was 18% (N = 132), and 26% (N = 194) were receiving statins. Among patients receiving statins, 8% (N = 16) developed a venous thromboembolism compared with 21% (N = 116) in the control group (odds ratio 0.33; 95% confidence interval, 0.19-0.57). A logistic regression analysis including risk factors for venous thromboembolism (metastatic disease, use of chemotherapy, immobilization, smoking, and aspirin use) along with statin use yielded the same results.

Conclusion

This study suggests that the use of statins is associated with a significant reduction in the occurrence of venous thromboembolism. This pleiotropic effect warrants further investigation.     

住院患者静脉血栓栓塞危险因素的分析

目的 通过对住院期间发生静脉血栓栓塞症（Venous thromboembolism，VTE）患者危险因素的分析，探讨VTE发生的高危因素。探索应用Caprini风险评估模型评估住院患者VTE发生风险的有效性。方法 对2012年1月1日至2012年12月31日在煤炭总院及朝阳医院确诊为VTE的住院患者进行研究。287例符合入选条件的被纳入研究。收集患者的一般资料、VTE危险因素、相关实验室检查及影像学检查结果等。分析VTE与各危险因素之间的关系。应用Caprini风险评估模型患者进行VTE风险评估。随访患者出院后VTE复发情况及生存状态。结果 1.287例患者中，92例（32.1％）患者仅患有DVT，93例（32.4％）患者仅患有PTE，102例（35.5％）患者同时患有DVT及PTE。155例为内科患者，132例为外科患者。2.VTE患者危险因素排在前五位的依次是：BMI>25 kg/m2（63.2％），蛋白C或蛋白S缺乏（52.4%），血清同型半胱氨酸升高（50%），长期卧床136例（47.4％），严重肺部疾病132例（46.0％）。3.与内科患者相比，Caprini模型评估外科患者VTE发生风险更为有效，且差异有统计学意义（风险评估分值在内科患者6.68±3.27，外科患者7.84±3.45，P=0.004）。4. 随访中，48例患者复发性VTE，复发率为18.5%。其中极高危患者的复发率最高（29.0％），其次为高危患者（6.5％），低中危患者无VTE复发。生存曲线显示极高危患者VTE复发风险最高，且差异有统计学意义（P=0.021）。结论 1.住院患者VTE的高危因素包括：BMI>25kg/m2，蛋白C或蛋白S缺乏，血清同型半胱氨酸升高，长期卧床，严重肺部疾病。2. Caprini模型评估外科患者VTE发生风险较内科患者更为有效，并且为预测VTE复发风险提供参考。     

Effectiveness and Safety of Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin in Frail Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

Purpose

Frailty predicts poorer outcomes in patients receiving anticoagulation. We assessed the effectiveness and safety of rivaroxaban vs warfarin in frail patients experiencing venous thromboembolism.

Arterial Ischemic Events Are a Major Complication in Cancer Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

Background

Venous thromboembolism is common in patients with malignancies, affecting up to 10% of this patient population. The association between arterial ischemic events and venous thromboembolism also has been established. However, the influence of arterial ischemic events on outcomes in cancer patients with venous thromboembolism has not been fully determined.

Comparison of Sodium and Calcium Heparin in Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism

Abstract: Comparison of sodium and calcium heparin in prevention of venous thromboembolism. J. F. Cade, J. T. Andrews and A. E. Stubbs. Aust. HZ. J. Med., 1982, 12 , pp. 501–504.
The relative efficacy of sodium and calcium heparin in preventing venous thromboembolism and their relative side-effects were studied in 234 high-risk patients in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. The two heparin preparations were from the same batch and in the same concentration, and were given in a dose of 5000 U 12 hourly. Positive leg scans were found in 19% after placebo, 12% after sodium heparin and 8% after calcium heparin. Bruising at the injection site was more common after calcium heparin (66%) than after sodium heparin (53%) or placebo (38%). Pain at the injection site was also more common after calcium heparin (26%) than after sodium heparin (8%) or \ placebo (6%). Changes in the activated partial thromboplastin time were small and did not correlate with leg scan results or bruising. While there was a tendency for calcium heparin to be possibly more effective, it was followed by significantly more local haema toma and pain.     

Association of Anemia with Venous Thromboembolism in Acutely Ill Hospitalized Patients: An APEX Trial Substudy

Background

Anemia is a common finding and independent predictor for adverse outcomes in hospitalized patients with medical illness. It remains unclear whether anemia is a risk factor for venous thromboembolism and whether the presence of anemia can refine risk assessment for prediction of venous thromboembolism, thereby adding incremental utility to a validated model.

Renal Function and Direct Oral Anticoagulant Treatment for Venous Thromboembolism

Because differences in renal function can affect the efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants, prescribing an appropriate dose based on renal function is critical, especially in patient populations with a high incidence of renal impairment. In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and mild or moderate renal impairment, direct oral anticoagulants are associated with a better risk–benefit profile compared with warfarin. However, less is known regarding outcomes in patients with venous thromboembolism and renal impairment. The efficacy and safety of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with venous thromboembolism and renal impairment are primarily derived from prespecified subgroup analyses of the phase 3 clinical trials. We summarize the available data on direct oral anticoagulant use in patients with venous thromboembolism and renal impairment. Clinicians are encouraged to follow study inclusion/exclusion criteria and perform renal dose adjustments based on the Cockcroft–Gault equation using actual body weight when indicated to avoid adverse events.     

Contrasting Associations of Prudent and Western Dietary Patterns with Risk of Developing Venous Thromboembolism

BackgroundPublished studies are inconsistent about whether differences in diet are associated with risk of venous thromboembolism. We studied the association between dietary patterns and incident venous thromboembolism in a large US cohort.MethodsThe Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study followed 14,818 middle-aged males and females for incident venous thromboembolism over an average of 22 years between 1987 and 2015. Trained interviewers assessed dietary intake at visits 1 and 3, using a food frequency questionnaire. We derived 2 dietary pattern scores using principal component analysis and ascertained and verified hospitalized venous thromboembolism. In separate proportional hazards regression analyses, we examined associations of quintiles of the prudent and the Western dietary pattern scores with risk of developing non-cancer-related and total venous thromboembolism, adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle factors, body mass index, and diabetes.ResultsWith 860 total incident venous thromboembolism events, the hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of incident non-cancer-related venous thromboembolism (n = 631) across quintiles of the prudent dietary pattern score were 1 (reference), 1.04 (0.81-1.32), 0.84 (0.65-1.08), 0.70 (0.53-0.91), and 0.88 (0.67-1.15), P_trend = .04. Across quintiles of the Western dietary pattern score, hazard ratios of non-cancer-related venous thromboembolism were 1 (reference), 1.13 (0.87-1.45), 1.20 (0.92-1.56), 1.03 (0.77-1.39), and 1.58 (1.13-2.21), P_trend = .04. Associations were similar for total venous thromboembolism.ConclusionsIn this community-based cohort, a prudent dietary pattern was associated with a lower risk of future venous thromboembolism, whereas a Western dietary pattern was associated with a higher risk.     

Outcome of Patients with Venous Thromboembolism and Factor V Leiden or Prothrombin 20210 Carrier Mutations During the Course of Anticoagulation

Background

Individuals with factor V Leiden or prothrombin G20210A mutations are at a higher risk to develop venous thromboembolism. However, the influence of these polymorphisms on patient outcome during anticoagulant therapy has not been consistently explored.

老年心血管病患者房颤反复发作的预测

目的　为明确老年心血管疾病患者窦性心律时发生阵发性房颤的危险因素并寻找反复心房颤动发作的预测因子。方法　测量 71例有阵发性房颤发作史的老年心血管疾病患者 (PAF组 )及 73例无阵发性房颤发作史的老年心血管疾病患者 (对照组 )窦性心律时的 12导联ECG ,分别测定最大P波时限 (Pmax)及最小P波时限 (Pmin)并计算其P波离散度 (Pd) ,心脏超声测量左房内径 (LAD)和左室射血分数 (LVEF) ,随访PAF组房颤反复发作情况。结果　PAF组的Pd及Pmax分别为 ( 4 7.0 7± 12 .3 5 )ms和 ( 12 1.2 5± 13 .2 4)ms,较对照组明显延长 (P <0 .0 1) ;PAF组反复房颤发作者 ,Pd≥40ms时相对危险度 3 .3 3 ,Pmax≥ 110ms时相对危险度 2 .48。结论　窦性心律时Pd、Pmax增加是预测老年心血管病患者是否发生房颤及房颤反复发作的有效且无创的临床方法     

Venous Thromboembolism Risk in Asian Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Population-Based Nationwide Inception Cohort Study

Background/AimsInflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is associated with the occurrence of venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, to date, there have been few studies on the risk of VTE in Asian IBD patients. We aimed to estimate the incidence of VTE in Asian IBD patients and to determine if IBD is related to increased VTE risk.MethodsWe performed a population-based cohort study between 2004 and 2015 using Korean National Health Insurance data. IBD and VTE were defined by ICD-10 codes. Incidence rates of VTE were calculated among patients with IBD and among age- and sex-matched controls. Hazard ratios were estimated using Cox regression with adjustment for multiple variables. We performed additional analyses stratifying by age, sex, Charlson comorbidity index (CCI) score, and disease type.ResultsAmong the 45,037 patients with IBD (IBD cohort) and 133,019 matched controls (non-IBD cohort) included in our analysis, 411 IBD patients and 641 controls developed VTE. The IBD cohort had a higher incidence rate ratio and risk of VTE than the non-IBD cohort (incidence rate ratio 1.92 and hazard ratio 1.93). Older age, female sex, higher CCI scores, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, use of steroids, and hospitalization were significant risk factors for VTE in patients with IBD.ConclusionsThe IBD patients in this study were approximately two times more likely to develop VTE than the non-IBD individuals. Our findings support the need for thromboprophylaxis in Asian IBD patients with various factors that further increase the risk of VTE.     

Pulmonary Embolectomy in Elderly Patients

Objective

The relation of age to case fatality rate in patients undergoing pulmonary embolectomy has not been reported. In view of the importance of age in the selection of patients who may be candidates for pulmonary embolectomy, we explored the database of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample to determine the impact of age on the case fatality rate.

Methods

Patients with pulmonary embolism who underwent pulmonary embolectomy in short-stay hospitals throughout the United States, 1999-2008, were identified from the Nationwide Inpatient Sample. In-hospital all-cause case fatality rate was assessed according to age.

Results

The proportion of patients who underwent pulmonary embolectomy decreased with age among both stable and unstable patients. Case fatality rate with pulmonary embolectomy in stable patients increased with age beginning at age 51 to 60 years. Among patients aged 51 to 60 years, the case fatality rate was 100 of 575 (17.4%). This rate increased to 60 of 130 (46.2%) among patients aged more than 80 years (P < .0001). The case fatality rate did not correlate with age in unstable patients.

Conclusions

The case fatality rate with pulmonary embolectomy in stable patients increases with age greater than 51 to 60 years and is high among the elderly. The case fatality rate with pulmonary embolectomy in unstable patients does not seem to be related to age.     

Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in the Medical Patient: Controversies and Perspectives

Despite the high morbidity and mortality associated with venous thromboembolism in hospitalized at-risk medical patients, the publication of large-scale studies showing that prophylaxis is effective in this patient group, and the presence of international guidelines, prophylaxis rates in medically ill patients remain suboptimal. Studies show that low-molecular-weight heparins, given once daily, are at least as effective as unfractionated heparin usually given thrice daily with equivalent or improved safety profiles, and that thrice-daily dosing of unfractionated heparin might be more effective than twice-daily dosing. However, the most recent American College of Chest Physicians guidelines do not distinguish between these regimens, and twice-daily unfractionated heparin is still commonly used in the United States. Furthermore, the optimal duration for out-of-hospital and extended prophylaxis for specific patient groups is not established. Finally, there are few data on the use of mechanical methods in this patient group and no established standard of care for prophylaxis of special patient populations, such as obese patients or those with renal insufficiency. Even though prophylaxis entails additional acquisition costs, it can reduce the incidence of venous thromboembolism, which can improve care and decrease overall costs.     

Secular Trends in Occurrence of Acute Venous Thromboembolism: The Worcester VTE Study (1985-2009)

Background

The clinical epidemiology of venous thromboembolism has changed recently because of advances in identification, prophylaxis, and treatment. We sought to describe secular trends in the occurrence of venous thromboembolism among residents of the Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan statistical area.

Methods

Population-based methods were used to monitor trends in event rates of first-time or recurrent venous thromboembolism in 5025 Worcester, Massachusetts, metropolitan statistical area residents who were diagnosed with acute pulmonary embolism or lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis during 9 annual periods between 1985 and 2009. Medical records were reviewed by abstractors and validated by clinicians.

Results

Age- and sex-adjusted annual event rates for first-time venous thromboembolism increased from 73 (95% confidence interval [CI], 64-82) per 100,000 in 1985/1986 to 133 (CI, 122-143) in 2009, primarily because of an increase in pulmonary embolism. The rate of recurrent venous thromboembolism decreased from 39 (CI, 32-45) in 1985/1986 to 19 (CI, 15-23) in 2003, and then increased to 35 (CI, 29-40) in 2009. There was an increasing trend in using noninvasive diagnostic testing, with approximately half of tests being invasive in 1985/1986 and almost all noninvasive by 2009.

Conclusions

Despite advances in identification, prophylaxis, and treatment between 1985 and 2009, the annual event rate of venous thromboembolism has increased and remains high. Although these increases partially may be due to increased sensitivity of diagnostic methods, especially for pulmonary embolism, they also may imply that current prevention and treatment strategies are less than optimal.