Correlates, Trends, and Short-Term Outcomes of Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Risk factors of venous thromboembolism for liver tumors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant complication in liver tumors patients, and understanding the associated risk factors is essential for effective risk assessment, prevention, and management strategies. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify key risk factors and their clinical implications for VTE in liver tumors patients.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of multiple databases was conducted to identify relevant studies. Eligible studies were selected, and odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were extracted and synthesized for meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 11 studies involving 73,652 liver tumors patients and 2049 VTE cases were included. The analysis identified several significant risk factors for VTE in liver tumors patients. Age (≥65 years), male gender, high BMI, diabetes, hepatitis B and C infections, elevated D-dimer and AST levels, reduced albumin levels, and MELD score were all associated with increased VTE risk.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review and meta-analysis revealed several key risk factors for VTE in liver tumors patients, these findings highlight the importance of risk assessment, prevention, and management strategies in this high-risk population. Further research with larger sample sizes and standardized methods is needed to strengthen the existing evidence and validate these findings.

Racial differences in symptomatic postoperative venous thromboembolism rates after major oncologic resection

BACKGROUND

Recent evidence suggests an increased incidence of venous thromboembolism among cancer patients of Black race. This study aimed to determine whether Black patients undergoing major oncologic resection experience increased rates of postoperative venous thromboembolism.

METHODS

A cohort study of patients who underwent major oncologic resection was performed using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (2016-2018). Primary outcome was venous thromboembolism within 30 days of surgery. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to evaluate the independent association of race and venous thromboembolism.

RESULTS

Of 91,707 patients, 67.7% were White, 9.5% Black, and 22.9% other race. Venous thromboembolism rates differed slightly by race: 2.2% among Whites, 2.4% Blacks, and 1.8% other (P = .002). Black patients were older, with higher rates of obesity, diabetes, and smoking. By multivariable logistic regression, risk of venous thromboembolism was lower among patients of other compared with White race (odds ratio 0.83; 95% confidence interval, 0.74-0.94). There was no difference in odds of venous thromboembolism among Black relative to White patients (odds ratio 1.08; 95% confidence interval, 0.93-1.26). When stratified by age, rates of venous thromboembolism were >50% higher among Black patients older than 75 years compared with White patients (odds ratio 1.54; 95% confidence interval, 1.17-2.03).

CONCLUSION

Despite evidence that Black patients with cancer experience higher rates of venous thromboembolism, they do not appear to have an increased risk in the postoperative period.