Association Between Thrombophilic Gene Mutations and the Risk of Vascular Access Thrombosis in Hemodialysis Patients

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Association between the FV H1299R Variant and the Risk of Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

This study evaluated the association between the H1299R factor V (FV) variant (rs1800595) and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Pubmed (MEDLINE) and Embase (OVID) bibliographic databases were searched from the inception to 31 May 2022 to identify suitable articles according to PRISMA and MOOSE guidelines. We included observational studies, case-control studies, cross-sectional studies, and cohort studies reporting a numerical and well-distinguished Het or Hom status of the H1299R variant obtained through PCR or other biochemical techniques and comparing RPL patients with a healthy control group. The review protocol was registered at PROSPERO (CRD42022330077). Two authors independently screened studies, extracted data, and carried out the risk of bias assessment using the Newcastle Ottawa scale (NOS). A meta-analysis was performed with RevMan software Version 5.4 using an odds ratio (OR) with an M-H, random effect, and 95% CI. We included 13 clinical studies for a total of 1669 RPL patients and 1466 healthy women as a control group. H1299R variant was slightly associated with RPL albeit without significance (OR 1.18, 95% CI: 0.78-1.80, p = 0.44). Subgroup analyses considering H1299R in heterozygosity (OR 1.13, 95% CI: 0.76-1.67, p = 0.56) and in homozygosity (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 0.74-6.01, p = 0.16) revealed a similar trend. Lastly, we evaluated the association between H1299R and RPL based on the number of previous miscarriages (≥2 or ≥3). This comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis sheds light on the specific influence of the H1299R variant in the F5 gene on RPL, constituting valid support for medical care during pregnancy and genetic counseling.

Monitoring the Patient Following Radio-Cephalic Arteriovenous Fistula Creation: Current Perspectives

Autogenous radial–cephalic direct wrist arteriovenous fistula (RC-AVF) in the non-dominant arm is the gold standard for dialysis vascular access. However, the RC-AVF non-maturation rate is significant (≃ 40%) due to an increasingly elderly and comorbid population incidence. A detailed identification of the biological cascade underlying arteriovenous fistula (AVF) maturation could be the key to clinical research aimed at identify the group of patients at risk of primary AVF failure. Currently, careful post-operative monitoring remains the most crucial aspect to overcome the problem of impaired maturation. Up to 80% of patients with immature RC-AVF have problems potentially solvable with early endovascular or surgical correction. Physical examination by experienced practitioners in conjunction with duplex ultrasound examination (DUS) can identify physical signs of non-maturation, understand the underlying cause, and drive for a tailored early planning to treat the complication. New approaches for the early assessment of AVF maturation are under study. Techniques to promote RC-AVF maturation performed through the administration of pre-or peri-operative drugs have missed up to now to prove an efficacy in improving fistula success. The new techniques tested after surgery appear to hold future promise for improving fistula maturation.

Association of FV G1691A Polymorphism but not A4070G With Coronary Artery Disease

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is one of the chief causes of death in the world. Several hypotheses have been promoted as for the origin of the disease, among which are genetic predispositions and/or environmental factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of factor V (FV) gene polymorphisms (Leiden, G1691A [FVL] and HR2 A4070G) and to analyze their association with traditional risk factors in assessing the risk of CAD. Our study population included 200 Tunisian patients with symptomatic CAD and a control group of 300 participants matched for age and sex. All participants were genotyped for the FVL and HR2 polymorphisms. Multivariate logistic regression was applied to analyze independent factors associated with the risk of CAD. Our analysis showed that the FVL A allele frequency (P < 10^–3, odds ratio [OR] = 2.81, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.6-4.9) and GA genotype (P < 10^–3, OR = 4.03, 95% CI = 2.1-7.6) are significantly more prevalent among patients with CAD compared to those controls and may be predisposing to CAD. We further found that the FVL mutation is an independent risk factor whose effect is not modified by other factors (smoking, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and a family history of CAD) in increasing the risk of the disease. However, analysis of FV HR2 variation does not show any statistically significant association with CAD. The FVL polymorphism may be an independent risk factor for CAD. However, further investigations on these polymorphisms and their possible synergisms with traditional risk factors for CAD could help to ascertain better predictability for CAD susceptibility.