Hypercoagulable States: A Review

Myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular mortality among migraine patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

An increasing number of studies have shown an association between migraine and cardiovascular disease, in particular cardio- and cerebro-vascular events.

METHODS

Three electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and Scopus) were searched from inception to May 22, 2021 for prospective cohort studies evaluating the risk of myocardial infarction, stroke and cardiovascular mortality in migraine patients. A random effects meta-analysis model was used to summarize the included studies.

RESULTS

A total of 18 prospective cohort studies were included consisting of 370,050 migraine patients and 1,387,539 controls. Migraine was associated with myocardial infarction (hazard ratio, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.23-1.51; p =  < 0.001), unspecified stroke (hazard ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.07-1.60; p = 0.01), ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 1.35; 95% CI, 1.03-1.78; p = 0.03) and hemorrhagic stroke (hazard ratio, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.07-1.92; p = 0.02). Subgroup analysis of migraine with aura found a further increase in risk of myocardial infarction and both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, as well as improved substantial statistical heterogeneity. Migraine with aura was also associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular mortality (hazard ratio, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.14-1.42; p =  < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Migraine, especially migraine with aura, is associated with myocardial infarction and stroke. Migraine with aura increases the risk of overall cardiovascular mortality.

The prothrombotic state in cancer

Neoplasms result from changes in the mechanisms of growth, differentiation, and cellular death. Cancers are of high clinical relevance due to their prevalence and associated morbidity and mortality. The clinical and biological diversity of cancer depends mainly on cellular origin and degree of differentiation. These changes result from alterations in molecular expression that generate a complex clinical, biochemical, and morphologic phenotype. Although cancer is associated with a hypercoagulable state, few cancers result in a thrombotic event. Many factors influence thrombotic incidence, such as advanced disease, central catheter placement, chemotherapy, neoplasia, and surgery. The pro-coagulant state is associated with anomalies in the vascular wall, blood flow, blood constituents (tissue factor, thrombin), coagulation state, and cell growth factors. Tumor cells perpetuate this phenomenon by releasing tissue factor, inflammatory cytokines, and growth factors. These changes favor cellular activation that gives rise to actions involving coagulation, inflammation, thrombosis, tumor growth, angiogenesis, and tumor metastases. These, in turn, are closely linked to treatment response, tumor aggressiveness, and host survival. Activation of the coagulation cascade is related to these phenomena through molecules that interact in these processes. As such, it is necessary to identify these mediators to facilitate treatment and improve outcomes.

Critical Limb Ischemia Secondary to Antiphospholipid Syndrome in a Pediatric Patient: Case Report and Review

BACKGROUND

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a condition that manifests as venous or arterial thrombosis, as well as complications of pregnancy. APS affecting primarily the arteries is less common when compared to venous complications. We present a case of arterial occlusion resulting in critical limb ischemia (CLI) in a pediatric patient.

METHODS

A 14-year old boy presented with worsening right lower extremity pain and ulcerative lesions of his foot. Laboratory analysis revealed a diagnosis of APS. This case report and review of the literature expands our understanding of arterial manifestations of APS in the pediatric patient.

RESULTS

The patient was discovered to have proximal occlusion of the superficial femoral artery (SFA), the distal popliteal artery, the anterior tibial artery at the mid-calf, and the posterior tibial artery at the ankle. He underwent a common femoral artery to above-knee-popliteal artery bypass with reversed greater saphenous graft. Follow up after over one-year demonstrated an ABI of 1.0 and no evidence of stenosis in the bypass graft on duplex ultrasound (DUS).

CONCLUSIONS

APS is a complex syndrome with a variety of clinical presentations. This case highlights arterial manifestations of APS and reviews the expanding literature to guide improved patient outcomes.

The simultaneous occurrence of both hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis in blood and serum during systemic inflammation, and the roles of iron and fibrin(ogen)

Although the two phenomena are usually studied separately, we summarise a considerable body of literature to the effect that a great many diseases involve (or are accompanied by) both an increased tendency for blood to clot (hypercoagulability) and the resistance of the clots so formed (hypofibrinolysis) to the typical, 'healthy' or physiological lysis. We concentrate here on the terminal stages of fibrin formation from fibrinogen, as catalysed by thrombin. Hypercoagulability goes hand in hand with inflammation, and is strongly influenced by the fibrinogen concentration (and vice versa); this can be mediated via interleukin-6. Poorly liganded iron is a significant feature of inflammatory diseases, and hypofibrinolysis may change as a result of changes in the structure and morphology of the clot, which may be mimicked in vitro, and may be caused in vivo, by the presence of unliganded iron interacting with fibrin(ogen) during clot formation. Many of these phenomena are probably caused by electrostatic changes in the iron-fibrinogen system, though hydroxyl radical (OH˙) formation can also contribute under both acute and (more especially) chronic conditions. Many substances are known to affect the nature of fibrin polymerised from fibrinogen, such that this might be seen as a kind of bellwether for human or plasma health. Overall, our analysis demonstrates the commonalities underpinning a variety of pathologies as seen in both hypercoagulability and hypofibrinolysis, and offers opportunities for both diagnostics and therapies.

Factors associated with ischemic stroke on therapeutic anticoagulation in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

PURPOSE

In this study, we investigated the stroke mechanism and the factors associated with ischemic stroke in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who were on optimal oral anticoagulation with warfarin.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a multicenter case-control study. The cases were consecutive patients with NVAF who developed cerebral infarction or transient ischemic attack (TIA) while on warfarin therapy with an international normalized ratio (INR) ≥2 between January 2007 and December 2011. The controls were patients with NVAF without ischemic stroke who were on warfarin therapy for more than 1 year with a mean INR ≥2 during the same time period. We also determined etiologic mechanisms of stroke in cases.

RESULTS

Among 3569 consecutive patients with cerebral infarction or TIA who had NVAF, 55 (1.5%) patients had INR ≥2 at admission. The most common stroke mechanism was cardioembolism (76.0%). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that smoking and history of previous ischemic stroke were independently associated with cases. High CHADS2 score (≥3) or CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (≥5), in particular, with previous ischemic stroke along with ≥1 point of other components of CHADS₂ score or ≥3 points of other components of CHA₂DS₂-VASc score was a significant predictor for development of ischemic stroke.

CONCLUSION

NVAF patients with high CHADS₂/CHA₂DS₂-VASc scores and a previous ischemic stroke or smoking history are at high risk of stroke despite optimal warfarin treatment. Some other measures to reduce the risk of stroke would be necessary in those specific groups of patients.

Anticoagulant proteins in a population of Mexican mestizo donors

BACKGROUND

To determine the activity of antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC), and protein S (PS), as well as the frequency of deficiencies of these proteins in a population of healthy Mexican mestizo blood donors.

METHODS

AT, PC, and PS were determined from 1,502 plasma samples of healthy blood donors by using commercial kits in a coagulometer 4 STA (Diagnostica Stago, Asnières, France).

RESULTS

A total of 741 women and 761 men were under study. They were divided into age range groups (18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, and 55-64 years). Activity of AT, PC, and PS was determined. For AT, activity values were specific for each age group according to gender when it had to do with PS, as well as when PC was determined. Frequencies of AT, PC, PS, and activated PC resistance activity deficiencies were obtained from reference levels (RLs) and average levels of this study. Differences were found between both frequencies for AT, PC, and PS, and the average levels obtained were used in this study. The frequencies of the activity deficiencies obtained through the values gotten in this population were: AT, 0.6%; PC, 1.06% (which is higher than the one obtained using the RLs described by commercial kits 0.33% and 0.66%, respectively); and PS, 1% (which is less than 4.5%).

CONCLUSIONS

It is necessary to know the characteristics and biological behavior of the coagulation proteins in the Mexican population because the RLs used have been established for populations that are genetically different.

Neuro-ophthalmic disorders in pregnancy

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review discusses evaluation and treatment of neuro-ophthalmic disorders in the pregnant patient.

RECENT FINDINGS

Any neuro-ophthalmic abnormality seen in nonpregnant women can be seen in pregnant women. Pregnancy-specific complications (preeclampsia and eclampsia) cause visual symptoms and can affect the entire visual axis.

SUMMARY

Appropriate evaluation and examination is important to preserve the health and vision of the mother and prevent complications in the fetus. Evaluation should proceed in the same way for a pregnant patient as it would for a nonpregnant patient, with few exceptions. Treatment decisions may be influenced by stage of pregnancy.

Vascular graft thrombosis secondary to activated protein C resistance: a case report and literature review

Hypercoagulability is a well-documented and prominent risk factor for venous thromboembolism. The role of thrombophilia in arterial thrombotic events is less well defined. A 52-year-old male patient with multiple atherogenic risk factors was admitted for non-healing pedal ulcer and absent distal pulses. Based on the clinical presentation, Doppler ultrasound and angiography findings, the patient underwent elective in situ bypass arterial reconstruction. The saphenous vein graft was of satisfactory quality and the procedure went routinely. Acute graft thrombosis on postoperative day 0 was recognized immediately and prompted an emergent surgical revision. No technical errors or anatomical/mechanical causes for failed reconstruction were found and the graft was successfully thrombectomized using a Fogarty balloon-catheter. Graft rethrombosis, however, ensued after several hours. Considering the absence of threatening limb ischemia and the idiopathic recurrent thrombosis, raising suspicion of prothrombotic state, conservative treatment was pursued. Postoperative thrombophilia testing proved positive for activated protein C resistance, mandating introduction of chronic oral anticoagulation. Six months later, the operated extremity is viable. Inexplicable vascular graft thrombosis, particularly if early and recurrent, should raise suspicion of underlying thrombophilia. If confirmed by laboratory testing, long-term secondary antithrombotic prophylaxis may be required.

Recurrent limb pain and migraine: case reports and a clinical review

Recurrent limb pain (RLP) is a well-known entity in childhood. It is considered a precursor of migraine. The temporal relationship of RLP with headache in childhood is lacking in the literature. However, there are many cases with limb pain in a close temporal relationship with migraine headache in adults. We report six female patients with RLP and migraine and delineate the temporal relationship between the two. Three patients had a history of RLP in childhood and developed migraine headache after many years. Conversely, two patients had a long history of migraine headache and later developed RLP. One patient developed RLP and migraine headache at the same age. Isolated limb pain was frequent in all six patients. It was mild to severe, for a few minutes to a few days, and predominantly located in the upper extremities. Only one patient reported allodynia. The patients showed response to preventive measures (all six patients) and abortive therapies (four patients), even in those attacks of RLP that were not associated with headache episodes. We also review the clinical profiles of the patients in whom RLP and migraine were related to each other, and speculate on the possible mechanisms for RLP in the patients with migraine.

Manifestações cutâneas das trombofilias

O escopo deste artigo é revisar os estados de hipercoagulabilidade sangüínea (trombofilias) mais provavelmente encontrados por dermatologista. Seus sinais cutâneos incluem o livedo reticular, necrose cutânea, ulcerações e isquemia digital, púrpura retiforme, além de úlceras nas pernas. Revisamos seu tratamento adequado, bem como ressaltamos as manifestações cutâneas que impõem pesquisa laboratorial de trombofilias e os exames indicados nessas situações.

Plantar vein thrombosis: a rare cause of plantar foot pain

Plantar vein thrombosis is a rare condition, with only a handful of cases reported in the literature. The cause is unknown; however, the disease has been attributed to prior surgery, trauma, and paraneoplastic conditions. We present a case of a 32-year-old female runner with plantar vein thrombosis diagnosed on contrast-enhanced MRI and confirmed on ultrasound. The symptoms resolved with conservative treatment and evaluation revealed the presence of a prothrombin gene mutation and use of oral contraceptive pills. To our knowledge, this is the first case of plantar vein thrombosis diagnosed initially by MRI. Moreover, this case suggests that plantar vein thrombosis should be considered in patients with hypercoagulable states and plantar foot pain.

Increase of classic and nonclassic cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acromegaly

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the prevalence of classic and nonclassic cardiovascular risk factors in patients with acromegaly.

METHODS

Sixty-two patients with acromegaly (50 with active disease and 12 with controlled acromegaly) and 36 healthy persons (the control group) underwent measurement of lipids, fasting plasma glucose, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, Lp(a), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), homocysteine, and variables primarily related to thrombogenesis (fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C, and protein S).

RESULTS

In comparison with control subjects, patients with active acromegaly had significantly higher mean values of fasting plasma glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, Lp(a), HOMA-IR, and fibrinogen as well as lower mean levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and protein S. In both groups, homocysteine, antithrombin III, protein C, and hsCRP levels were similar. Moreover, patients with active acromegaly, in comparison with those who had controlled acromegaly, presented with significantly higher values of fasting plasma glucose, HOMA-IR, triglycerides, VLDL cholesterol, Lp(a), and fibrinogen, whereas hsCRP and protein S were significantly lower. Finally, low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and protein S as well as elevated values of VLDL cholesterol, triglycerides, HOMA-IR, and fasting plasma glucose were more prevalent in patients with active acromegaly than in the other groups.

CONCLUSION

Our findings demonstrate that, in comparison with control subjects and patients with controlled acromegaly, patients with active acromegaly had a higher frequency of classic and nonclassic cardiovascular risk factors. These findings are potentially very important because acromegaly is associated with a 2- to 3-fold increase in mortality rate, predominantly related to cardiovascular disease.

Surgical treatment of ovarian vein thrombosis

Ovarian vein thrombosis is a rare but serious condition that may cause sepsis in the postpartum patient or may be associated with thrombosis of the inferior vena cava or renal vein. A 30-year-old woman presented 2 weeks postpartum with sudden onset of dyspnea and rightsided pleuritic chest pain. She was diagnosed with a large pulmonary embolus and thrombosis of the right ovarian vein. After failure of percutaneous embolization of the right ovarian vein, the patient underwent open surgical excision of the right ovarian vein. The management of ovarian vein thrombosis may involve systemic anticoagulation, antibiotics, thrombolysis, open surgical treatment, or a combination of these.

Coagulation Defects

The present understanding of the coagulation process emphasizes the final common pathway and the proteolytic systems that result in the degradation of formed clots and the prevention of unwanted clot formations, as well as a variety of defense systems that include tissue repair, autoimmune processes, arteriosclerosis, tumor growth, the spread of metastases, and defense systems against micro-organisms. This article discusses diagnosis and management of some of the most common bleeding disorders. The goals are to provide a simple guide on how best to manage patients afflicted with congenital or acquired clotting abnormalities during the perioperative period, present a brief overview of the methods of testing and monitoring the coagulation defects, and discuss the appropriate pharmacologic or blood component therapies for each disease.

The rule of four: a systematic approach to diagnosis of common pediatric hematologic and oncologic disorders

The "Rule of Four" facilitates a rapid and focused approach to the diagnosis of the common hematologic and oncologic disorders encountered in general pediatric practice. This system relies on four recurrent but different clinical entities or laboratory tests relevant to the diagnosis of children with anemia, excessive bleeding or clotting, and common malignancies. For each disorder, there is a discussion of a variety of four lab tests or factors pertinent to a differential diagnosis.