Risk factors for venous thromboembolism and prophylaxis in medical inpatients: data from the FADOI ‘‘GEMINI’’ study

Background: Though venous thromboembolism (VTE) frequently occurs in non-surgical setting, epidemiology and risk factors for VTE in unselected medical inpatients have not been extensively studied, and uncertainties remain about the prophylactic strategy in these patients. Materials and methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study we aimed to contemporarily assess the epidemiology of symptomatic VTE in consecutive patients hospitalized in Internal Medicine, to evaluate the impact of potential risk factors, and the attitude of internists towards thromboprophylaxis. A total of 4,846 patients were included, during the period March-September 2006. Results: Symptomatic VTE was registered in 177 (3.65%) patients; of these, 26 cases (0.55%) occurred with onset of symptoms > 48 hours after admission (‘‘hospital-acquired’’ events, primary study end-point). Previous VTE and bed resting were significantly associated with venous thromboembolism, while a trend for increased risk was documented in cancer patients. During hospital stay antithrombotic prophylaxis was globally administered in 41.6% of patients, and in 58.4% of those for which prophylaxis was recommended according to 2004 guidelines by the American College of Chest Physicians. The choice of administering tromboprophylaxis appeared qualitatively adherent to indications from randomized trials and international guidelines, and bed rest was the strongest determinant of the use of prophylaxis. Conclusions: Data from our real-world study confirm that VTE is a quite common finding in patients admitted to Internal Medicine departments, and recommended tromboprophylaxis is still underused, in particular in some patients groups. Further efforts are needed to better define the risk profile and to optimize prophylaxis in the heterogeneous setting of medical patients.

Spinal cord infarction: a rare cause of admission to Internal Medicine Departments but a condition with relevant systemic complications

BACKGROUND Spinal cord infarction is a rare cause of admission to Internal Medicine Departments as it is of infrequent occurrence and it is usually addressed to Neurologic Units. Diagnosis at admission however may be challenging expecially in the elderly because of several co-morbidities and variable presentation. Clinical course is often complicated by autonomic, infective and cardiovascular problems as well as a long stay-in-bed period. Outcome is poor in case of severe motor, autonomic (bladder and bowel) and sensitive impairment at presentation, it’s related to anatomic damage site and extension and it’s worse in case of anterior bilateral infarcts. CLINICAL CASE The authors describe the case of an 81- year-old woman who was admitted to an Internal Medicine Department because of cervical spinal cord infarction. The diagnostic evaluation as well as the management of cardiovascular, infective, rheumatologic and autonomic complications needed skillful internistic competence and a long in-hospital period. MR allowed a correct diagnosis a few hours after presentation, but the pathogenesis was never clearly established. The most invalidating symptoms were loss of bowel control lasting for several weeks during hospitalization and neuropathic pain still present at discharge. As for the outcome, the patient was able to go home after 3 months from admission able to walk with aids, with full bowel and bladder control and no sensitive impairment.

Haemorrhage and intestinal lymphoma

Background: The prevalence of coeliac disease is around 1% in general population but this is often unrecognised. The classical presentation of adult coeliac disease is characterized by diarrhoea and malabsorption syndrome, but atypical presentations are probably more common and are characterized by iron deficiency anaemia, weight loss, fatigue, infertility, arthralgia, peripheral neuropathy and osteoporosis. Unusual are the coagulation disorders (prevalence 20%) and these are due to vitamin K malabsorption (prolonged prothrombin time). Clinical case: A 64-year-old man was admitted to our Department for an extensive spontaneous haematoma of the right leg. He had a history of a small bowel resection for T-cell lymphoma, with a negative follow-up and he didn’t report any personal or familiar history of bleeding. Laboratory tests showed markedly prolonged prothrombin (PT) and partial-thromboplastin time (PTT), corrected by mixing studies, and whereas platelet count and liver tests was normal. A single dose (10 mg) of intravenous vitamin K normalized the PT. Several days before the patient had been exposed to a superwarfarin pesticide, but diagnostic tests for brodifacoum, bromadiolone or difenacoum were negative. Diagnosis of multiple vitamin K-dependent coagulationfactor deficiencies (II, VII, IX, X) due to intestinal malabsorption was made and coeliac disease was detected. Therefore the previous lymphoma diagnosis might be closely related to coeliac disease. Conclusions: A gluten free diet improves quality of life and restores normal nutritional and biochemical status and protects against these complications.

Possible left endoventricular myxoma in a patient with deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs: a case report

Introduction: We describe an unusual case of left ventricular myxoma associated with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Materials and methods: A 79-year-old woman was admitted with bilateral proximal DVT that developed while she was on warfarin. The anticoagulant therapy had been started (after 2 weeks of low-molecular weight heparin) 1 month earlier in a Cardiologic Unit, where the patient had been treated for ‘‘left ventricular thrombosis associated with acute pericarditis’’. After discharge, the patient continued to experience malaise, recurrent dizziness, dyspnea, flushing, and progressively severe leg swelling despite transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) findings of normal left ventricular function. She was finally admitted to our Unit for ultrasound studies for possible DVT. On admission the INR was in the therapeutic range with increased C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombocytopenia, mild anemia, anti-PF4 antibodies, lupus anticoagulant (LAC), a positive direct Coombs test, and mildly increased anti-platelet and anticardiolipin antibody levels. Malignancy, SLE, and inherited thrombophilia were excluded by a broad-spectrum instrumental and laboratory investigation. Since heparin-induced-thrombocytopenia could not be excluded, the warfarin was replaced with fondaparinux (7.5 mg/day). Given the persistence on TTE of a ‘‘small floating mass’’ at the left ventricular apex, we suspected the previously diagnosed thrombosis was actually an unusually located myxoma, and this diagnosis was confirmed by CT and MRI. The patient also had markedly increased serum levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), regarded by many as a marker of cardiac myxoma and the source of the constitutional symptoms and immunologic features (‘‘activity’’) of these lesions. The patient is now well except for recurrent flushing episodes. The IL-6 level is still high although the ESR, CRP, LAC have normalized. Since isolated IL-6 increases are associated with recurrence in PMR patients, we consider our patient at risk for relapse of systemic illness. Results: Three cases of cardiac myxoma associated with DVT have been reported. Myxoma production of IL-6 could explain the extracardiac symptoms and the inflammatory/autoimmune activation that caused the DVT. Discussion: Although histologic confirmation is lacking, the features of this case strongly suggest an atypical-site myxoma, in particular the concordant findings generated by the various diagnostic exams and unchanging nature of the ventricular lesion during follow-up.

Long-term outcomes of patients with cerebral vein thrombosis: a multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Little information is available on the long-term clinical outcome of cerebral vein thrombosis (CVT).

OBJECTIVES AND METHODS

In an international, retrospective cohort study, we assessed the long-term rates of mortality, residual disability and recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a cohort of patients with a first CVT episode.

RESULTS

Seven hundred and six patients (73.7% females) with CVT were included. Patients were followed for a total of 3171 patient-years. Median follow-up was 40 months (range 6, 297 months). At the end of follow-up, 20 patients had died (2.8%). The outcome was generally good: 89.1% of patients had a complete recovery (modified Rankin Score [mRS] 0-1) and 3.8% had a partial recovery and were independent (mRS 2). Eighty-four per cent of patients were treated with oral anticoagulants and the mean treatment duration was 12 months. CVT recurred in 31 patients (4.4%), and 46 patients (6.5%) had a VTE in a different site, for an overall incidence of recurrence of 23.6 events per 1000 patient-years (95% confidence Interval [CI] 17.8, 28.7) and of 35.1 events/1000 patient-years (95% CI, 27.7, 44.4) after anticoagulant therapy withdrawal. A previous VTE was the only significant predictor of recurrence at multivariate analysis (hazard ratio [HR] 2.70; 95% CI 1.25, 5.83).

CONCLUSIONS

The long-term risk of mortality and recurrent VTE appears to be low in patients who survived the acute phase of CVT. A previous VTE history independently predicts recurrent events.

Aspirin for preventing the recurrence of venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

About 20% of patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism have a recurrence within 2 years after the withdrawal of oral anticoagulant therapy. Extending anticoagulation prevents recurrences but is associated with increased bleeding. The benefit of aspirin for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism is unknown.

METHODS

In this multicenter, investigator-initiated, double-blind study, patients with first-ever unprovoked venous thromboembolism who had completed 6 to 18 months of oral anticoagulant treatment were randomly assigned to aspirin, 100 mg daily, or placebo for 2 years, with the option of extending the study treatment. The primary efficacy outcome was recurrence of venous thromboembolism, and major bleeding was the primary safety outcome.

RESULTS

Venous thromboembolism recurred in 28 of the 205 patients who received aspirin and in 43 of the 197 patients who received placebo (6.6% vs. 11.2% per year; hazard ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.36 to 0.93) (median study period, 24.6 months). During a median treatment period of 23.9 months, 23 patients taking aspirin and 39 taking placebo had a recurrence (5.9% vs. 11.0% per year; hazard ratio, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.33 to 0.92). One patient in each treatment group had a major bleeding episode. Adverse events were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Aspirin reduced the risk of recurrence when given to patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism who had discontinued anticoagulant treatment, with no apparent increase in the risk of major bleeding. (Funded by the University of Perugia and others; WARFASA ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00222677.).

Large-vessel involvement in recent-onset giant cell arteritis: a case-control colour-Doppler sonography study

OBJECTIVES

The prevalence of large-vessel vasculitis (LVV) in newly diagnosed GCA is still debated. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of LVV in newly diagnosed GCA using colour-Doppler sonography (CDS) and to compare the clinical and laboratory findings of GCA patients with and without LVV.

METHODS

Sixty-two consecutive patients with new-onset GCA underwent CDS of the epiaortic vessels and of the aorta. The identified patients with LVV were randomly matched (1 : 2 ratio) to GCA patients without LVV.

RESULTS

In 18 (29%) out of 62 patients, CDS showed the characteristic halo sign indicative of vasculitis in at least one vessel examined. Three patients had insufficient documentation and were excluded from the comparative analysis. Compared with patients without LVV, those with LVV were more frequently female (100 vs 73%), less likely to have cranial manifestations (73 vs 97%) and borderline less likely to have jaw claudication (13 vs 43%, P = 0.05). The two groups had similar ages at diagnosis, prevalence of constitutional manifestations and rates of positive temporal artery biopsies.

CONCLUSIONS

LVV evidenced by CDS was found in 29% of patients with newly diagnosed GCA. This prevalence is similar to that found in previous studies with a similar design. GCA patients with LVV had less frequent cranial manifestations. Early diagnosis of LVV in GCA can help tailor treatment accordingly and may prevent vascular complications.

Incidence and predictors of venous thromboembolism in post-acute care patients. A prospective cohort study

Few studies have addressed the topic of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients hospitalised in rehabilitation facilities. This patient population is rapidly growing, and data aimed to better define VTE risk in this setting are needed. Primary aim of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the frequency of symptomatic, objectively confirmed VTE in a cohort of unselected consecutive patients admitted to rehabilitation facilities, after medical diseases or surgery. Further objectives were to assess overall mortality, to identify risk factors for VTE and mortality, and to assess the attitude of physicians towards thromboprophylaxis. A total of 3,039 patients were included in the study, and the median duration of hospitalisation was 26 days. Seventy-two patients (2.4%) had symptomatic VTE. The median time to VTE from admission to the long-term care unit was 13 days. According to multivariable analysis, previous VTE (hazard ratio 5.67, 95% confidence interval 3.30-9.77) and cancer (hazard ratio 2.26, 95% confidence interval 1.36-3.75) were significantly associated to the occurrence of VTE. Overall in-hospital mortality was 15.1%. Age over 75 years, male gender, disability, cancer, and the absence of thromboprophylaxis were significantly associated to an increased risk of death (multivariable analysis). In-hospital antithrombotic prophylaxis was administered to 75.1% of patients, and low-molecular-weight heparin was the most widely used agent. According to our study, patients admitted to rehabilitation facilities remain at substantially increased risk for VTE. Because this applies to the majority of these patients, there is a great need for clinical trials assessing optimal prophylactic strategies.

Oral vitamin K effectively treats international normalised ratio (INR) values in excess of 10. Results of a prospective cohort study

Unanticipated elevation of the INR is common in patients receiving warfarin. We performed a prospective cohort study of 107 warfarin-treated patients with INR values of more than 10 who received a single 2.5 mg dose of oral vitamin K. During the first week, one patient experienced major bleeding, and one died. In the first 90 days after enrolment four patients had major bleeding (3.7%, 1.0% to 9.3%), eight patients (7.5%, 3.3% to 14.2%) died and two had objectively confirmed thromboembolism. Based on our low rate of observed major bleeding we conclude that 2.5 mg of oral vitamin K is a reasonable treatment for patients with INR values of more than 10 who are not actively bleeding.

In-hospital symptomatic venous thromboembolism and antithrombotic prophylaxis in Internal Medicine. Findings from a multicenter, prospective study

Hospitalised medical patients are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), but the incidence of hospitalisation-related VTE in unselected medical inpatients has not been extensively studied, and uncertainties remain about the optimal use of thromboprophylaxis in this setting. Aims of our prospective, observational study were to assess the prevalence of VTE and the incidence of symptomatic, hospitalisation-related events in a cohort of consecutive patients admitted to 27 Internal Medicine Departments, and to evaluate clinical factors associated with the use of thromboprophylaxis. Between March and September 2006, a total of 4,846 patients were included in the study. Symptomatic VTE with onset of symptoms later than 48 hours after admission ("hospital-acquired" events, primary study end-point) occurred in 26 patients (0.55%), while the overall prevalence of VTE (including diagnosis prior to or at admission) was 3.65%. During hospital stay antithrombotic prophylaxis was administered in 41.6% of patients, and in 58.7% of those for whom prophylaxis was recommended according to the 2004 Guidelines of the American College of Chest Physicians. The choice of administering thromboprophylaxis or not appeared qualitatively adherent to indications from randomised clinical trials and international guidelines, and bed rest was the strongest determinant of the use of prophylaxis. Data from our real-world study confirm that VTE is a relevant complication in patients admitted to Internal Medicine Departments, and recommended tromboprophylaxis is still under-used, in particular in some patients groups. Further efforts are needed to better define risk profile and to optimise prophylaxis in the heterogeneous setting of medical inpatients.

Oral vitamin K versus placebo to correct excessive anticoagulation in patients receiving warfarin: a randomized trial

BACKGROUND

Low-dose oral vitamin K decreases the international normalized ratio (INR) in overanticoagulated patients who receive warfarin therapy. Its effects on bleeding events are uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To see whether low-dose oral vitamin K reduces bleeding events over 90 days in patients with warfarin-associated coagulopathy.

DESIGN

Multicenter, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Randomization was computer-generated, and participants were allocated to trial groups by using sequentially numbered study drug containers. Patients, caregivers, and those who assessed outcomes were blinded to treatment assignment.

SETTING

14 anticoagulant therapy clinics in Canada, the United States, and Italy.

PATIENTS

Nonbleeding patients with INR values of 4.5 to 10.0.

INTERVENTION

Oral vitamin K, 1.25 mg (355 patients randomly assigned; 347 analyzed), or matching placebo (369 patients randomly assigned; 365 analyzed).

MEASUREMENTS

Bleeding events (primary outcome), thromboembolism, and death (secondary outcomes).

RESULTS

56 patients (15.8%) in the vitamin K group and 60 patients (16.3%) in the placebo group had at least 1 bleeding complication (absolute difference, -0.5 percentage point [95% CI, -6.1 to 5.1 percentage points]); major bleeding events occurred in 9 patients (2.5%) in the vitamin K group and 4 patients (1.1%) in the placebo group (absolute difference, 1.5 percentage points [CI, -0.8 to 3.7 percentage points]). Thromboembolism occurred in 4 patients (1.1%) in the vitamin K group and 3 patients (0.8%) in the placebo group (absolute difference, 0.3 percentage point [CI, -1.4 to 2.0 percentage points]). Other adverse effects were not assessed. The day after treatment, the INR had decreased by a mean of 1.4 in the placebo group and 2.8 in the vitamin K group (P < 0.001).

LIMITATION

Patients who were actively bleeding were not included, and warfarin dosing after enrollment was not mandated or followed.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose oral vitamin K did not reduce bleeding in warfarin recipients with INRs of 4.5 to 10.0.

FUNDING

Canadian Institutes of Health Research and Italian Ministry of Universities and Research.

1T magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis: comparison with ultrasonography and physical examination of temporal arteries

OBJECTIVE

To assess the usefulness of 1T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of temporal arteries and to compare 1T MRI with duplex ultrasonography (US) and physical examination of temporal arteries for the diagnosis of giant cell arteritis (GCA) in patients with suspected GCA.

METHOD

The superficial temporal arteries of 20 consecutive patients with a suspected diagnosis of GCA were examined using a 1T MRI scanner. Fat-saturated multislice T1-weighted spin-echo images were acquired perpendicularly to the orientation of the vessel. In all cases, MRI results were compared to US and temporal artery examination findings. Temporal artery biopsies were performed in all patients.

RESULTS

Mural contrast enhancement of the temporal arteries on MRI had a sensitivity of only 33.3% and a specificity of 87.5% for the diagnosis of biopsy-proven GCA. Compared with the diagnosis of GCA by the American College of Rheumatology criteria, MRI had a sensitivity and specificity of 27.2% and 88.9%, respectively. Temporal artery abnormalities on physical examination and the presence of a hypoechoic halo on US had a higher sensitivity (66.7% and 77.7%, respectively) and a higher specificity (100% for both) compared to MRI findings.

CONCLUSION

1T MRI is not useful for the diagnosis of GCA because of its low sensitivity. US and physical examination of temporal arteries had a better diagnostic accuracy. However, our data does not exclude a diagnostic role for higher-resolution MRI.

The incidence of venous thromboembolism following gynecologic laparoscopy: a multicenter, prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Information on the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) following laparoscopic procedures is inadequate and there is currently no solid evidence to guide the use of thromboprophylaxis in this setting. Gynecologic laparoscopy is a common procedure, and is frequently performed in low-risk patients. To our knowledge, there are no clinical studies specifically designed to assess the incidence of VTE in this setting.

METHODS

In a prospective cohort study, consecutive patients undergoing gynecologic laparoscopy underwent compression ultrasonography (CUS) and clinical assessment to evaluate the incidence of clinically relevant VTE. CUS was performed 7 +/- 1 and 14 +/- 1 days postoperatively. A subsequent telephone contact was scheduled at 30 and 90 days. No patient received pharmacologic or mechanical prophylaxis. Patients with malignancy or previous VTE were excluded from the study.

RESULTS

We enrolled 266 consecutive patients; mean age was 36.3 years, range: 18-72. The most common indications for laparoscopy were ovarian cysts in 25.6% of patients, endometriosis in 21.0% of patients, unexplained adnexal masses in 12.4% of patients, and infertility in 7.5% of patients. The mean duration of the procedure was 60.5 min (range: 10-300 min). In particular, in 55.6% of patients the duration exceeded 45 min. There were neither episodes of CUS detected DVT (0/247; 0%, 95% CI 0-1.51%) or clinically relevant VTE after follow-up (0/256; 0%, 95% CI 0-1.48%). No patient died of fatal pulmonary embolism (0/266; 0%, 95% CI 0-1.42%).

CONCLUSIONS

Gynecologic laparoscopy in non-cancer patients is a low-risk procedure for postoperative VTE.

Incidence of Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension After a First Episode of Pulmonary Embolism

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the incidence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTPH) after the first episode of objectively confirmed pulmonary embolism (PE).

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study in 12 Italian medical centers.

PATIENTS

Consecutive patients treated with oral anticoagulants for the first episode of PE, either idiopathic or associated with temporary risk factors, were followed up for at least 3 years. Patients were excluded from the study if they had a known persistent risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE).

INTERVENTIONS

At the follow-up visits, patients were evaluated for persistent dyspnea, either at rest or on exertion. All patients who were referred with dyspnea were assessed by transthoracic echocardiography, with evaluation of the systolic and mean pulmonary artery pressures. Patients with evidence of pulmonary hypertension on echocardiography underwent perfusion lung scans and pulmonary angiography to confirm the diagnosis of CTPH.

RESULTS

Overall, 259 patients were included in the study. PE was idiopathic in 135 patients, while it was associated with at least a temporary risk factor for VTE in 124 patients. After an average follow-up period of 46 months, 37 patients were found to have persistent dyspnea that was unexplained in 5 patients. Among these patients, a diagnosis of CTPH was confirmed in two patients with idiopathic PE (0.8% of the overall study population [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.0 to 1.9]; 1.5% of patients with idiopathic PE [95% CI, 0.0 to 3.6]). The diagnosis was made 14 and 22 months, respectively, after the acute PE.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of CTPH observed in this study was about 1%. CTPH was observed in two patients with idiopathic PE.

Clinical experience with retrievable vena cava filters: results of a prospective observational multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Retrievable inferior vena cava (IVC) filters offer the attractive possibility to be definitive or to be removed when they become unnecessary.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and the likelihood to remove the retrievable IVC filter ALN.

METHODS

A total of 30 patients (13 males and 17 females, mean age 57 +/- 15 years) underwent placement of ALN filters. Indications for implantation were acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) with a contraindication to anticoagulation in 26 cases (86%), primary prophylaxis after major trauma in two cases (7%) or before surgery in two patients with very high thromboembolic risk (7%).

RESULTS

The filter was successfully placed in all patients. After a median follow-up of 18.2 months, there were three cases (10%) of trapped emboli within the filter, one case (3%) of asymptomatic migration of the filter toward the heart and two patients (7%) had deep vein thrombosis (DVT) recurrences. ALN retrieval was attempted through transjugular approach in 18 patients (60%) and the maneuver was successful in 14 of them (78%); when the decision of removal was taken more than 3 months after the implantation, the retrieval was possible only in four of eight patients (50%). The median implantation period was 123 days (range: 30-345).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study shows the efficacy of ALN filter; it also demonstrates the feasibility and safety of retrieval after a medium-term period of placement. Removal after 3 months after implantation can be unsuccessful and maximum implantation time requires further studies.

Thrombophilic abnormalities and recurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients treated with standardized anticoagulant treatment

INTRODUCTION

Whether patients with hereditary or acquired thrombophilia have an increased risk for recurrence of venous thromboembolism (deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism) is still controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence of recurrence of venous thromboembolism in patients with and without thrombophilic abnormalities treated with standardized anticoagulant treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Database was from a prospective multicenter randomized study aimed at evaluating the long-term clinical benefit of extending to 1 year the 3-month oral anticoagulant treatment after a first episode of idiopathic proximal deep vein thrombosis. The screening for thrombophilia included antithrombin, protein C, protein S deficiencies, resistance to activated protein C and/or factor V R506Q mutation, the mutation 20210GA of the prothrombin gene, hyperhomocysteinemia and antiphospholipid antibodies. The diagnosis of venous thromboembolism recurrence was done by objective tests and adjudicated by a panel unaware of the results of the thrombophilia screening.

RESULTS

A screening for thrombophilic abnormalities was performed in 195 patients. Twenty of 57 (35.1%) thrombophilic patients experienced a recurrence of venous thromboembolism as compared with 29 of 138 (21.0%) patients without thrombophilia (HR=1.78, 95% CI 1.002-3.140, p=0.046). The difference in VTE recurrence between patients with and without thrombophilia was accounted for by those who received 3 months of oral anticoagulation (HR=3.21, 95% CI 1.349-7.616, p=0.008). No difference between thrombophilic and non-thrombophilic patients was observed in the time interval from the index episode to recurrent venous thromboembolism (29.1+/-23.9 and 30.6+/-19.8 months, respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

Thrombophilic abnormalities are associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism recurrence. The role of thrombophilia in the long-term management of venous thromboembolism should be addressed in prospective management studies.

A prospective study on cardiovascular events after acute pulmonary embolism

AIMS

To evaluate the incidence of cardiovascular events in the long-term clinical course of patients with a first episode of symptomatic, objectively confirmed pulmonary embolism.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Three hundred and sixty patients with a first episode of pulmonary embolism were included in a prospective study: 209 with idiopathic pulmonary embolism and 151 with pulmonary embolism associated with transient risk factors. The study outcomes were cardiovascular events (recurrent venous thrombo-embolism, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, sudden otherwise unexplained death), cardiovascular death, and death due to any cause. The median follow-up was 38 months. Sixty-four patients had at least one cardiovascular event (5.5% patient-year). Recurrent venous thrombo-embolism occurred in 45 patients (3.9% patient-year), acute myocardial infarction in 12 patients (1.0% patient-year), stroke in six patients (0.5% patient-year), and sudden otherwise unexplained death in four patients (0.3% patient-year). A cardiovascular event occurred in 47 patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism (7.5% patient-year) and in 17 patients with pulmonary embolism associated with transient risk factors (3.1% patient-year) (RR 2.0; 95% CI 1.20-3.34; P=0.006). Twenty patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism (3.2% patient-year) and two patients with pulmonary embolism associated with transient risk factors (0.4% patient-year) presented an arterial cardiovascular event (RR 7.2; 95% CI 1.71-30.45; P=0.001). Thirty-three patients died (9.2%). Cardiovascular mortality and cancer mortality accounted for 42.4 and 21.2% of overall mortality, respectively. Idiopathic pulmonary embolism was an independent predictor of cardiovascular events after adjusting for age.

CONCLUSIONS

Cardiovascular events are more common in patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism than in patients with pulmonary embolism associated with transient risk factors. Cardiovascular events are the major cause of death in patients with idiopathic pulmonary embolism.

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene G20210A mutations in Italian patients with Behçet's disease and deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the frequency and type of vascular lesions and to study the association of factor V gene G1691A (Leiden) and prothrombin gene G20210A polymorphisms with venous thrombosis in Italian patients with Behçet's disease (BD).

METHODS

Included were 118 consecutive Italian BD patients followed over a 3-year period (1997-1999) who satisfied the International Study Group criteria for BD. The control group consisted of 132 healthy Italian blood donors. All BD patients and controls were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and allele-specific restriction enzyme techniques for factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene G20210A polymorphisms.

RESULTS

Vascular lesions were observed in 37 (31.4%) patients. The 2 most common lesions were subcutaneous thrombophlebitis (10.2%) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of the legs (22.8%). No significant demographic and clinical differences between patients with and without DVT were present. The distribution of allele and genotype frequencies of prothrombin gene G20210A and factor V Leiden polymorphisms did not differ significantly between BD patients and healthy controls. The frequencies of carriage rates of prothrombin gene G20210A and factor V Leiden polymorphisms in BD patients with and without DVT were similar. However, the frequency of 20210A allele was significantly higher in BD patients with ocular disease than in those without, particularly in the patients with posterior uveitis/retinal vasculitis.

CONCLUSIONS

The frequency and types of vascular lesions in Italian BD patients were similar to those reported in studies from other countries. No association between factor V Leiden mutation and G20210A mutation in the 3'-untranslated region of the prothrombin gene with DVT was found. However, a prothrombin gene G20210A mutation may influence the development and severity of ocular involvement in BD.

Incidence of cancer after a first episode of idiopathic venous thromboembolism treated with 3 months or 1 year of oral anticoagulation

BACKGROUND

A prolonged treatment with oral anticoagulants has been claimed to reduce the incidence of newly diagnosed cancer in the long-term follow-up of patients with venous thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVES

In a multicenter prospective study we assessed the incidence of newly diagnosed clinically overt cancer in patients with a first episode of idiopathic venous thromboembolism (VTE) treated with oral anticoagulants for 3 months or 1 year.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Consecutive patients with an idiopathic venous thromboembolism who had completed 3 months of oral anticoagulant therapy without having a recurrence, bleeding or newly diagnosed cancer were randomized to discontinue oral anticoagulant therapy or to continue it for nine additional months. Idiopathic venous thromboembolism was defined as thrombosis occurring in the absence of known cancer, known thrombophilia, or temporary risk factors for venous thromboembolism. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year after randomization.

RESULTS

A total of 429 patients, 265 patients with DVT and 164 with PE, were followed up for an average of 43.7 months after randomization. A newly diagnosed cancer occurred in 32 patients (7.5%), 13 (6.2%) of the 210 patients treated for 3 months and 19 (8.7%) of the 219 patients treated for 1 year (RR = 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.36-1.41).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of newly diagnosed clinically overt cancer is not reduced in patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism treated with 1-year anticoagulant treatment compared with patients treated for 3 months.

Extended oral anticoagulant therapy after a first episode of pulmonary embolism

BACKGROUND

The optimal duration of oral anticoagulant treatment after a first episode of pulmonary embolism remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the long-term clinical benefit of extending a 3-month course of oral anticoagulant therapy to 6 months (pulmonary embolism associated with temporary risk factors) or to 1 year (idiopathic pulmonary embolism) in patients with a first episode of pulmonary embolism.

DESIGN

Multicenter randomized study with independent, blinded assessment of the outcome events.

SETTING

19 Italian hospitals.

PATIENTS

326 patients who had had 3 months of oral anticoagulant therapy without experiencing recurrence or bleeding.

MEASUREMENTS

The primary study outcome was recurrence of symptomatic, objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism.

RESULTS

Among 165 patients assigned to extended anticoagulant therapy, 15 patients (9.1%) had a recurrence of venous thromboembolism (3.1% per patient-year; average follow-up, 34.9 months), as compared with 18 of 161 patients (11.2%) assigned to discontinue treatment (4.1% per patient-year; average follow-up, 32.7 months); the rate ratio was 0.81 (95% CI, 0.42 to 1.56). All but one of the recurrences occurred after anticoagulant treatment was discontinued. Nineteen recurrences (57.6%) were episodes of pulmonary embolism, two of which were fatal. Three major bleeding episodes were observed during extended anticoagulation (1.8%). Among patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism, 11 of 90 patients assigned to extended anticoagulation and 11 of 91 patients assigned to discontinue treatment experienced a recurrence (relative risk, 0.99 [CI, 0.45 to 2.16]).

CONCLUSION

Patients with pulmonary embolism have a substantial risk for recurrence after discontinuation of oral anticoagulation, regardless of treatment duration. Physicians should try to identify patients who are at high risk for recurrent venous thromboembolism and are therefore potential candidates for indefinite oral anticoagulant therapy.