Long-term recurrence risk after a first venous thromboembolism in men and women under 50 years old: A French prospective cohort

Venous Thromboembolism and Estrogen-Containing Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy

Gender-affirming therapy involves the use of hormones to develop the physical characteristics of the identified gender and suppressing endogenous sex hormone production. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a known risk of exogenous estrogen therapy, and while evidence of VTE risk among transgender women using modern gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) is still emerging, it is thought to affect up to 5% of transgender women. Historically, GAHT was associated with a high risk of VTE; however, modern preparations are less thrombogenic mainly due to significantly lower doses used as well as different preparations. This review presents the available literature regarding the following four topics: (1) risk of VTE among transgender women receiving estradiol GAHT, (2) how the route of administration of estradiol affects the VTE risk, (3) perioperative management of GAHT, (4) VTE risk among adolescents on GAHT. There is a need for large, longitudinal studies of transgender women using GAHT to further characterize VTE risk and how this is affected by factors such as patient age, duration of GAHT use, tobacco use, body mass index, and comorbidities. Future studies in these areas could inform the development of clinical guidelines to improve the care of transgender people.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2023 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Epidemiology and Prevention Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update with review of published literature through the year before writing. The 2023 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort in 2022 by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. The American Heart Association strives to further understand and help heal health problems inflicted by structural racism, a public health crisis that can significantly damage physical and mental health and perpetuate disparities in access to health care, education, income, housing, and several other factors vital to healthy lives. This year's edition includes additional COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) publications, as well as data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population, with an enhanced focus on health equity across several key domains.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Risk of recurrence in women with venous thromboembolism related to estrogen-containing contraceptives: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The risk of recurrence after a venous thromboembolism (VTE) related to estrogen-containing contraceptives is a key driver to guide anticoagulant treatment decisions.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the incidence rate of recurrent VTE after discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment in women with a first episode of VTE related to estrogen-containing contraceptives.

METHODS

Embase, MEDLINE, and the CENTRAL were searched from 1 January 2008 to 27 May 2021 for prospective and retrospective studies reporting on recurrence after a first VTE related to estrogen-containing contraceptives. Risk of bias was assessed using QUIPS tool. Recurrence rates per 100 patient-years were pooled using Knapp-Hartung random-effects meta-analysis. Incidence rates were reported separately based on study follow-up duration (≤1 year, 1-5 years, and >5 years) and for several subgroups.

RESULTS

A total of 4,120 studies were identified, of which 14 were included. The pooled recurrence rate was 1.57 (95%-CI: 1.10-2.23; I2  = 82%) per 100 patient-years. Recurrence rates per 100 patient-years were 2.73 (95%-CI: 0.00-3643; I2  = 80%) for studies with ≤1 year follow-up, 1.35 (95%-CI: 0.68-2.68; I2  = 44%) for studies with 1-5 years follow-up, and 1.42 (95%-CI: 0.84-2.42; I2  = 78%) for studies with >5 years follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Among women with VTE associated with estrogen-containing contraceptives, the risk of recurrence after stopping anticoagulation is low, which favors short-term anticoagulation. Large prospective studies on VTE recurrence rates and risk factors after stopping short-term anticoagulants are needed.

Risk factors for recurrence during a pregnancy following a first venous thromboembolism: A French observational study

BACKGROUND

Women with a previous venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at risk of recurrence during pregnancy.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to assess the incidence rate of recurrent VTE during pregnancy, according to the period of pregnancy, and the clinical parameters associated with recurrence, in a prospective cohort of women of childbearing age after a first VTE.

PATIENTS/METHODS

A total of 189 women aged 15-49 years with a first documented VTE were followed until a subsequent pregnancy of at least 20 weeks' gestation between 2000 and 2020. VTE recurrences during pregnancy were recorded, as were potential clinical risk factors for recurrence.

RESULTS

Recurrent VTE occurred in six women during antepartum: five during the first trimester (incidence rate 106.4 per 1000 women-years) (95% confidence interval [CI] 46.3-226.0); none during the second trimester; and one during the third trimester (incidence rate 27.0 per 1000 women-years [95% CI 4.8-138.2]). During postpartum, recurrences occurred in 11 women (incidence rate 212.8 per 1000 women-years [95% CI 119.9-349.1]). These 17 recurrent VTEs presented as pulmonary embolism ± deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in five patients and isolated DVT in 12. Failure of thromboprophylaxis occurred in two cases (33.3%) antepartum and in 10 cases (90.9%) postpartum. In multivariable analysis, only obesity (defined on prepregnancy body mass index) was associated with recurrent VTE (odds ratio 3.34 [95% CI 1.11-10.05, p = .03]).

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms a high risk of recurrent VTE postpartum, despite thromboprophylaxis, in women with a previous VTE. Only obesity was associated with VTE recurrence during pregnancy, suggesting that low-dose anticoagulation might not be appropriate in obese pregnant women.

Risk stratification for predicting recurrent venous thromboembolism after discontinuation of anticoagulation: a post-hoc analysis of a French prospective multicenter study

BACKGROUND

We aimed to validate and to refine current recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk classification.

METHODS

We performed a post-hoc analysis of a multicentre cohort, including 1,881 patients with a first symptomatic VTE prospectively followed after anticoagulation discontinuation. The primary objective was to validate the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) risk classification in predicting recurrence risk. Secondary objective was to evaluate a refined ISTH classification based on recurrence risk estimate for each individual risk factors.

RESULTS

During a 4.8-year median follow-up after anticoagulation discontinuation, symptomatic recurrent VTE occurred in 230 patients (12.2%). Based on ISTH classification, patients with unprovoked VTE or VTE with minor or major persistent risk factor had a 2-fold increased recurrence risk as compared to those with VTE and major transient risk factor. Recurrence risk was not increased in patients with minor transient factor (Hazard Ratio[HR] 1.31;95%CI0.84-2.06). Individual risk factors analysis identified hormone-related VTE (pregnancy: HR 0.26; 95%CI0.08-0.82; estrogens: HR 0.25; 95%CI0.14-0.47) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (HR 5.84; 95%CI1.82-18.70). After reclassification of these factors as major transient for the former and major persistent for the latter, refined ISTH classification allowed to accurately discriminate between patients at low-risk (i.e., with major transient risk factor) and those at high-risk of recurrence (i.e., without major transient risk factors).

CONCLUSIONS

Among patients who stopped anticoagulation after a first VTE, a refined ISTH classification based on recurrence risk intensity of individual factors allowed to discriminate between patients at low-recurrence risk, including hormonal exposure in women, and patients at high-recurrence risk.

Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics-2022 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association

BACKGROUND

The American Heart Association, in conjunction with the National Institutes of Health, annually reports the most up-to-date statistics related to heart disease, stroke, and cardiovascular risk factors, including core health behaviors (smoking, physical activity, diet, and weight) and health factors (cholesterol, blood pressure, and glucose control) that contribute to cardiovascular health. The Statistical Update presents the latest data on a range of major clinical heart and circulatory disease conditions (including stroke, congenital heart disease, rhythm disorders, subclinical atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, heart failure, valvular disease, venous disease, and peripheral artery disease) and the associated outcomes (including quality of care, procedures, and economic costs).

METHODS

The American Heart Association, through its Statistics Committee, continuously monitors and evaluates sources of data on heart disease and stroke in the United States to provide the most current information available in the annual Statistical Update. The 2022 Statistical Update is the product of a full year's worth of effort by dedicated volunteer clinicians and scientists, committed government professionals, and American Heart Association staff members. This year's edition includes data on the monitoring and benefits of cardiovascular health in the population and an enhanced focus on social determinants of health, adverse pregnancy outcomes, vascular contributions to brain health, and the global burden of cardiovascular disease and healthy life expectancy.

RESULTS

Each of the chapters in the Statistical Update focuses on a different topic related to heart disease and stroke statistics.

CONCLUSIONS

The Statistical Update represents a critical resource for the lay public, policymakers, media professionals, clinicians, health care administrators, researchers, health advocates, and others seeking the best available data on these factors and conditions.

Do Patients with a Family or Personal History of Venous Thromboembolism have an Increased Risk of Recurrence?

BACKGROUND

 A family (FH) and personal history (PH) of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are commonly evaluated risk factors for recurrence. We examined the association between FH/PH of VTE and the risk of recurrence and whether a stronger history status (i.e., both FH/PH vs. no FH/PH) carries an increased recurrence risk.

METHODS

 We prospectively followed 813 patients aged ≥ 65 years with acute VTE from 9 Swiss hospitals. We classified patients into four groups: no FH/PH, FH only, PH only, and both FH/PH. The primary outcome was recurrent VTE during the full observation period. We examined the association between FH/PH status and the time to VTE recurrence using competing risk regression, adjusting for confounders and periods of anticoagulation.

RESULTS

 Of 813 patients with VTE, 59% had no FH/PH, 11% a FH only, 24% a PH only, and 7% had both a FH and PH of VTE. Overall, 105 patients had recurrent VTE during the full observation period. After adjustment, patients with a FH only (subhazard ratio [SHR] 0.8, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4-1.7), PH only (SHR 1.5, 95% CI 0.9-2.5), and both FH/PH (SHR 1.4, 95% CI 0.6-3.1) did not have an increased risk of recurrent VTE compared with those without FH/PH. When we considered the period after the completion of initial anticoagulation only, the results were similar.

CONCLUSION

 Our findings indicate that in patients with acute VTE, a FH and/or PH of VTE does not convey an increased risk of recurrent VTE. In particular, we did not find a "dose-effect" relationship between FH/PH status and VTE recurrence.