The impact of inherited thrombophilia on surgery: A factor to consider before transplantation?

How to Deal With Kidney Retransplantation-Second, Third, Fourth, and Beyond

Kidney transplantation is the best health option for patients with end-stage kidney disease. Ideally, a kidney transplant would last for the lifetime of each recipient. However, depending on the age of the recipient and details of the kidney transplant, there may be a need for a second, third, fourth, or even more kidney transplants. In this overview, the outcome of multiple kidney transplants for an individual is presented. Key issues include surgical approach and immunologic concerns. Included in the surgical approach is an analysis of transplant nephrectomy, with indications, timing, and immunologic impact. Allograft thrombosis, whether related to donor or recipient factors merits investigation to prevent it from happening again. Other posttransplant events such as rejection, viral illness (polyomavirus hominis type I), recurrent disease (focal segmental glomerulosclerosis), and posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease may lead to the need for retransplantation. The pediatric recipient is especially likely to need a subsequent kidney transplant. Finally, noncompliance/nonadherence can affect both adults and children. Innovative approaches may reduce the need for retransplantation in the future.

Multidisciplinary Practice Variations of Anti-Thrombotic Strategies for Free Tissue Transfers

Background: Venous thrombosis, the leading cause of free flap failure, may have devastating consequences. Many anti-thrombotic agents and protocols have been described for prophylaxis and treatment of venous thrombosis in free flaps. Methods: National surveys were distributed to microsurgeons (of both Plastics and ENT training) and hematology and thrombosis specialists. Data were collected on routine screening practices, perceived risk factors for flap failure, and pre-, intra-, and post-operative anti-thrombotic strategies. Results: There were 722 surveys distributed with 132 (18%) respondents, consisting of 102 surgeons and 30 hematologists. Sixty-five surgeons and 9 hematologists routinely performed or managed patients with free flaps. The top 3 perceived risk factors for flap failure according to surgeons were medical co-morbidities, past arterial thrombosis, and thrombophilia. Hematologists, however, reported diabetes, smoking, and medical co-morbidities as the most important risk factors. Fifty-four percent of physicians routinely used unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) as a preoperative agent. Surgeons routinely flushed the flap with heparin (37%), used UFH IV (6%), or both (8%) intra-operatively. Surgeons used a range of post-operative agents such as UFH, LMWH, aspirin, and dextran while hematologists preferred LMWH. There was variation of management strategies if flap thrombosis occurred. Different strategies consisted of changing recipient vessels, UFH IV, flushing the flap, adding post-operative agents, or a combination of strategies. Conclusions: There are diverse practice variations in anti-thrombotic strategies for free tissue transfers and a difference in perceived risk factors for flap failure that may affect patient management.

Maxillofacial and oral surgery in patients with thrombophilia: safe territory for the oral surgeon? A single-center retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to analyze patients with thrombophilia who underwent oral and/or maxillofacial surgery at our center.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective analysis of patients with hereditary or acquired thrombophilia who had undergone oral/maxillofacial surgery between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2019. Data regarding demographic and patient characteristics, surgical treatment modalities, antithrombotic therapies, and complications were analyzed.

RESULTS

A total of 76 eligible patients (26 male, 50 female) were included in this study, with a mean follow-up period of 3.8 months (range, 0-51 months). The mean age at time of surgery was 44.7 ± 19.4 years. Seven different hereditary and acquired thrombophilia were identified: factor V Leiden (n = 31; 40.8%), prothrombin G20210A mutation (n = 5; 6.6%), protein C deficiency (n = 4; 5.3%), protein S deficiency (n = 11; 14.5%), antiphospholipid syndrome (n = 10; 13.2%), hyperhomocysteinemia (n = 8; 10.5%), and elevated factor VIII (n = 2; 2.6%). Complications occurred in 9 patients (11.8%) and included postoperative infections (n = 6; 7.9%) and postoperative bleeding (n = 3; 3.9%).

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that oral and/or maxillofacial surgery in patients with a confirmed diagnosis of thrombophilia is not associated with a burden of thrombosis or high complication rates. Furthermore, we formulated a guideline for preoperative antithrombotic therapy for patients with thrombophilia undergoing oral and/or maxillofacial surgery.

Current practice of antithrombotic prophylaxis in pediatric kidney transplantation-Results of an international survey on behalf of the European Society for Paediatric Nephrology

BACKGROUND

Renal graft thrombosis (RGT) is one of the main causes for early graft loss in pediatric kidney transplantation (KTx). Despite the lack of evidence-based recommendations, antithrombotic prophylaxis (aP) is used to prevent RGT.

METHODS

An online survey supported by the European Society for Pediatric Nephrology was developed to investigate the current practice of aP in pediatric KTx recipients <18 years.

RESULTS

A total of 80 pediatric KTx centers from 37 countries participated in the survey. Antithrombotic prophylaxis was performed in 96% of the pediatric renal transplant centers (all/selected patients: 54%/42%). The main overall used drugs were as follows: low-molecular-weight heparin (89%), unfractionated heparin (UFH) (69%), and acetylsalicylic acid (ASS) (55%). Ten different aP management strategies were identified as follows: 51% used a single drug and 48% combined two drugs sequentially. The corresponding centers started aP predominantly within 24 hours after pediatric KTx; 51% preferred UFH for starting aP. In centers switching to a second drug (51%), this change was performed after 10 ± 6 days; of these 57% preferred ASS for maintenance aP. Reported median aP duration was 51 days (range 1-360).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the use of aP in almost all responding pediatric KTx centers, there is no uniform management strategy. Notwithstanding, UFH seems to be the preferred drug for the early post-operative period of pediatric KTx, and ASS for maintenance prophylaxis following pediatric KTx. Prospective studies are needed to further evaluate the benefits and risks of aP, preferably resulting in guidelines for the management in pediatric KTx.

Below-Knee Amputation Resulting from an Arterial Thrombosis from Tourniquet Use in a Patient with Undiagnosed Factor V Leiden: A Case Report

CASE

A 38-year-old woman presented with previously undiagnosed factor V Leiden (FVL), who suffered a complete superficial femoral arterial thrombosis after tourniquet use during the surgical repair of one of her bilateral tibial plafond fractures. This patient's injury eventually resulted in a below-knee amputation.

CONCLUSION

We recommend expanding hypercoagulable screening on patients with risk factors based on a detailed history and physical examination. We also recommend limiting or negating tourniquet use in patients with FVL or other hypercoagulable disorders.

Issues in the Diagnosis and Management of Hereditary Antithrombin Deficiency

Objective: To review insights gained in the past several years about hereditary antithrombin (AT) deficiency and to outline approaches to the management of patients with AT deficiency in the acute and chronic settings. Data Sources: An extensive literature search of Scopus (January 2008-April 2016) was performed for the terms congenital antithrombin deficiency, inherited antithrombin deficiency, or hereditary antithrombin deficiency. Additional references were identified by reviewing literature citations. Study Selection: All relevant English-language case reports, reviews, clinical studies, meeting abstracts, and book chapters assessing hereditary AT deficiency were included. Data Synthesis: AT deficiency significantly increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The risk of VTE is particularly high during pregnancy, the postpartum period, and following major surgery. Effective clinical management includes determination of the appropriate type and duration of antithrombotic therapy (ie, AT replacement for acute situations) while minimizing the risk of bleeding. For persons newly diagnosed with AT deficiency, age, lifestyle, concurrent medical conditions, family history, and personal treatment preferences can be used to individualize patient management. Patients should be informed of the risks associated with hormonal therapy, pregnancy, surgical procedures, and immobility, which further increase the risk of VTE in patients with AT deficiency. Conclusion: AT deficiency poses the highest risk for VTE among the hereditary thrombophilias, often requiring long-term anticoagulation. Undertaking an evaluation for hereditary thrombophilia is controversial; however, a diagnosis of VTE in association with AT deficiency can have management implications. An important treatment option for patients with this disorder in high-risk situations is AT concentrate.

Antiphospholipid syndrome, antiphospholipid antibodies and solid organ transplantation

Antiphospholipid syndrome is considered a high risk factor for any kind of surgery. Considering that all solid organ transplants are critically dependent on the patency of vascular anastomosis, there is much concern about the consequences this pro-thrombotic condition may have on transplantation. Relatively little information is available in the literature assessing the real risk that antiphospholipid syndrome or the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies represent in solid organ transplantation. The aim of this article is to review the literature related to transplantation of solid organs in patients diagnosed with antiphospholipid syndrome or patients with positive antiphospholipid antibodies.

Laboratory referral rates of genetic tests for thrombophilia workup in a major referral center

AIMS

The rate of laboratory referrals for thrombophilia patients' genetic workup was assessed and compared among the medical and surgical specialties and subspecialties at a major tertiary care center in Lebanon.

METHODS

DNA extraction was performed using the PEL-FREEZ extraction kit (PEL-FREEZ; DYNAL) and the Factor V, prothrombin, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase genotypic profiles were done using the FV-PTH-MTHFR StripAssay kit (ViennaLab) that employs a polymerase chain reaction-reverse hybridization method. A total of 2238 referred cases were analyzed.

RESULTS

Around 42.23% of all referred cases turned out to have a thrombosis-associated mutation. Referrals from medical and surgical specialties were almost equal. In the surgical specialty, most referrals came from the department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, while in the medical speciality, most of the workup referrals originated from the Hematology/Oncology physicians. However, low referral rates were reported from the emergency department and family medicine practitioners.

CONCLUSION

Genetic testing for thrombophilia workup is gaining more importance among the different medical and surgical specialties and is worth being introduced into the offered test lists of all established molecular diagnostics laboratories.

[Incidence of thrombophilia and risk of renal vessel thrombosis in kidney transplant recipients]

INTRODUCTION

Kidney transplantation is the optimal treatment of end stage kidney disease. The most common vascular complication in the early postoperative period is thrombosis of the renal artery and vein. These complications usually lead to the loss of the transplanted kidney.

AIM

of our study was to identify those factors which represent an increased risk for thrombotic complication and determine whether routine screening for thrombophilia is justifiable before transplantation. As an illustration to this problem we report a case of successful renal vein recanalisation after thrombosis.

METHODS

We give an overview of the literature about incidence of renal graft thrombosis, hypercoagulable states, predictive value of factor V. Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutations in venous thromboembolism. We discuss those publications that suggest a preoperative screening of transplant candidates for hypercoagulable states and thrombophilia and those that do not think that such screening is reasonable. In our case a 28 year old male patient received a cadaveric kidney. Thrombosis of the renal vein was diagnosed 8 hours after transplantation. Reoperation was performed immediately: venous anastomosis was opened, the thrombus removed. After reoperation the circulation of the kidney recovered, intravenous heparin treatment was introduced immediately.

RESULTS

24 months later the kidney is still functioning well. Postoperative thrombophilia screening showed heterozygosity for factor V Leiden.

CONCLUSION

There are only few publications reporting on successful recanalisation after renal vein thrombosis. In our case rapid diagnosis and immediate operative treatment saved the graft. There is no uniform proposal in the literature whether preoperative screening for thrombophilia is justifiable or not. In our view screening for thrombophilia and thromboprophylaxis is mandatory. Extensive prospective studies should be undertaken to refine the risks and establish the associations of thrombophilia and thromboembolism after kidney transplantation.