Evaluation of unmet clinical needs in prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism in at-risk patient groups: pregnancy, elderly and obese patients

Primary prevention of cancer-associated venous thrombosis: Rationale and challenges in clinical practice

Cancer-associated venous thrombosis (CAT) is a common, multifactor event known to complicate the course of cancer and jeopardize a patient's prognosis. The current guidelines regarding the prevention of CAT are sometimes considered insufficiently precise about specific situations, or are poorly applied. The expected benefits of thromboprophylaxis are balanced by the risk of major bleeding induced by anticoagulation, which implies a need to accurately identify ambulatory patients at high risk of thrombosis or hemorrhage. The Khorana score is commonly used for this, but is limited by the non-reproducibility of predicted performance across cancer types, and by the fact that antitumor treatment and cardiovascular risks are not included. The COMPASS-CAT score, which includes those two aspects, was found to be a more accurate predictor of venous thromboembolism in patients with lung cancer, and to better distinguish between patients at low or high risk of thrombosis. The frailty of patients with cancer is also a major issue, and should be taken into account when thromboprophylaxis is considered. According to current guidelines, CAT prophylaxis should be considered for hospitalized patients, those for whom surgery is scheduled, or those with pancreatic cancers. In ambulatory patients, decisions should be made according to patient, cancer and antitumoral treatment characteristics. Low molecular weight heparin is the gold standard of CAT prophylaxis. Despite increased risks of bleeding or drug-drug interactions in cancer patients, direct oral anticoagulants could be alternate options for high-risk ambulatory patients that should be accompanied by a careful global analysis of benefits, harms, and patient preferences.

Use of the RCOG risk assessment model and biomarkers to evaluate the risk of postpartum venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and the puerperium. The vast majority of VTE occurs after childbirth. China has not yet established standard risk assessment model for postpartum venous thromboembolism (VTE), the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCOG) risk assessment model (RAM) is commonly used in clinic at present. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the validity of the RCOG RAM in the Chinese population and try to formulate a local risk assessment model by combining with other biomarkers for VTE prophylaxis.

METHODS

The retrospective study was conducted from January 2019 to December 2021at Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital which has approximately 30,000 births annually, and the incidence of VTE, differences between RCOG-recommended risk factors, and other biological indicators from medical records were evaluated.

RESULTS

The study included VTE (n = 146) and non-VTE(n = 413) women who examined by imaging for suspicion of postpartum VTE. There was no statistical difference in the incidence rate of postpartum VTE between the low-score group (23.8%) and the high-score group (28%) after stratification by RCOG RAM. However, we found that cesarean section (in the low-score group), white blood cell (WBC) ≥ 8.64*10^9/L (in the high-score group), low-density lipoprotein(LDL) ≥ 2.70 mmol/L, and D-dimer ≥ 3.04 mg/L (in both groups) were highly associated with postpartum VTE. Subsequently, the validity of the RCOG RAM combined with biomarkers as a model for the risk assessment of VTE was estimated and the results showed that this model has good accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study indicated that the RCOG RAM was not the best strategy for predicting postpartum VTE. Combined with some biomarkers (including the value of LDL and D-Dimer, and WBC count), the RCOG RAM is more efficient when identifying high-risk groups of postpartum VTE in the Chinese population.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

This purely observational study does not require registration based on ICMJE guidelines.

A retrospective study on the use of low-molecular-weight heparin for prevention of pregnancy-related recurrent venous thromboembolism and obstetrical complications

BACKGROUND

The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased during pregnancy and it is further increased together with pregnancy complications in women with personal history of VTE and thrombophilia abnormalities. It is unclear how the use of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) may prevent such complications.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the potential benefits and risks of the use of LMWH for prevention of pregnancy-related VTE and obstetrical complications in the first pregnancy after a previous VTE.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study includes fertile women referred to the Thrombosis Center from January 2000 to September 2018 for a thrombophilia work-up, after having had at least one previous VTE and one pregnancy thereafter. Data on pregnancy-related recurrent VTE, pregnancy outcomes and the use of LMWH were collected.

RESULTS

Among 208 women, no thrombosis or major bleeding was recorded in 138 pregnancies conducted with LMWH, whereas 10 VTE (14%) were recorded in 70 pregnancies conducted without. Nine women (90%) with recurrent VTE had had a previous hormone-related event. The incidence of miscarriage was lower in pregnancies with LMWH than in those without (11% vs. 26%, relative risk 0.4, 95% confidence interval: 0.2-0.8), whereas late obstetrical complications and terminations were similar in the two groups. The prevalence of terminations was doubled in women with thrombophilia (12%) than in those without (6%).

CONCLUSIONS

LMWH prophylaxis during pregnancy appears to be effective and safe for the prevention of recurrent VTE and may reduce the incidence of miscarriage.

The Pattern of Heparin Dosing as Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis in Adult Underweight Patients Admitted to Critical Care Units at a Tertiary Hospital

BACKGROUND

 Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the causes of hospital-related deaths in critically ill patients. Guidelines recommended VTE prophylaxis with standardized, fixed doses for most patients. The underweight population has limited data to guide the appropriate drug and dosing regimen.

OBJECTIVE

 The aim of this study was to describe the pattern of VTE prophylaxis dose regimens for underweighted critically ill adult patients and the prevalence of associated VTE and bleeding.

METHODS

 This study is a retrospective cohort study, conducted at the King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It included all critical patients admitted to the intensive care units (ICUs) and were above 14 years old with weight less than 50 kg or body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 kg/m² or less, and were on heparin as VTE prophylaxis for more than 72 h from January 2016 until January 2020.

RESULTS

 After screening 270 patients, only 40 patients were included in this study according to our inclusion and exclusion criteria. Only six patients (15%) received VTE prophylaxis as an adjusted dose of heparin 2500 U Q12, while the rest of the patients were taking standard dosing of heparin; 5000 U Q12 was given to 21 (52.50%) patients, and 5000 U Q8 was given to 13 (32.50%) patients. None of the adjusted doses developed any complications such as VTE or bleeding. There was no significant difference compared with the standard dose group.

CONCLUSIONS

 In this study, we described the pattern of heparin doses as VTE prophylaxis in underweight patients. We also compared the standard dosing and adjusted dosage of VTE prophylaxis on underweight patients and any complications. There was no significant difference in the complications outcome or benefits between the two groups.

Good practice statements for antithrombotic therapy in the management of COVID-19: Guidance from the SSC of the ISTH

Despite the emergence of high quality randomized trial data with the use of antithrombotic agents to reduce the risk of thromboembolism, end-organ failure, and possibly mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), questions still remain as to optimal patient selection for these strategies, the use of antithrombotics in outpatient settings and in-hospital settings (including critical care units), thromboprophylaxis in special patient populations, and the management of acute thrombosis in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. In October 2021, the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) formed a multidisciplinary and international panel of content experts, two patient representatives, and a methodologist to develop recommendations on treatment with anticoagulants and antiplatelet agents for COVID-19 patients. The ISTH Guideline panel discussed additional topics to be well suited to a non-Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) for Good Practice Statements (GPS) to support good clinical care in the antithrombotic management of COVID-19 patients in various clinical settings. The GPS panel agreed on 17 GPS: 3 in the outpatient (pre-hospital) setting, 12 in the hospital setting both in non-critical care (ward) as well as intensive care unit settings, and 2 in the immediate post-hospital discharge setting based on limited evidence or expert opinion that supports net clinical benefit in enacting the statements provided. The antithrombotic therapies discussed in these GPS should be available in low- and middle-income countries.

Assessment of Saudi Women's Adherence and Experience with Venous Thromboembolism Prophylaxis after Cesarean Section Delivery Using Telemedicine Technology

Background

Telemedicine technology is widely used especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. It can be used to give medical advice as well as follow up with the patients at home in the outpatient setting. Low molecular weight heparin, such as enoxaparin, decreases the risk of venous thromboembolism after cesarean delivery.

Objective

assessing postcesarean women's adherence and experience to enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis regimens in the outpatient setting via telephone calls.

Methods

prospective cohort study was conducted in the Maternity and Children Hospital (MCH). Postcesarean women were interviewed at the postnatal ward in the MCH. The participants were followed up for 10 days of the delivery to assess their adherence to and experience with enoxaparin thromboprophylaxis. Suboptimal adherence was defined as the missing of one or more doses of enoxaparin.

Results

170 women participated in this study. The majority of them (78.8%) were fully adherent to enoxaparin while 21.2% missed at least one dose. The most-reported causes for suboptimal adherence were perceived lack of necessity (44.4%), forget to take the injection (30.6%), feeling of high load going to the primary care unit to take injection (27.8%), and fear of injection (11.1%).

Conclusion

Telemedicine technology could be used to assess patients' adherence. The study results showed that the majority of participants were fully adherent to postcesarean enoxaparin but more than 20% of the participants were suboptimal adherent. Proper patient education techniques could influence patients' adherence and potentially decrease the risk of DVT in those populations.

How can Secondary Thromboprophylaxis in High-Risk Pregnant Patients be Improved?

Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is suggested for thromboprophylaxis in pregnant women with previous venous thromboembolism (VTE). Anyway, there is only limited amount of studies evaluating the effect of LMWH on hemostatic parameters during pregnancy of patients with previous VTE and the need of secondary thromboprophylaxis. We therefore provide results of prospective and longitudinal assessment of changes in hemostasis in high-risk pregnant women at four times during pregnancy (T1–T4) and one time after the postpartum period (T5) used for individualized modification of thromboprophylaxis. In this study, the results of coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) and protein S (PS) activity, ProC Global ratio and anti-Xa activity were evaluated. Despite the thromboprophylaxis, an increased predisposition to thromboembolic complications was detected (significant increase in FVIII activity and decrease in PS function, ProC Global ratio not normalized even after the postpartum period – p < .0001 between controls and T5 for PS and ProC Global). These results indicate that hemostasis may not be restored even 6 to 8 weeks after delivery and pose the question when is it safe to withdraw the anticoagulant thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients with prior VTE.

Missed opportunities for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis during pregnancy and the postpartum period: evidence from mainland China in 2019

Background

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has become one of the leading causes of maternal mortality. Thromboprophylaxis is recommended for the prevention of this condition; however, its use appears to be insufficient. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to identify the missed opportunities for VTE prophylaxis in hospitals that provide maternal healthcare in mainland China.

Methods

In this cross-sectional survey-based study, we collected case data on pregnant and puerperal women with deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary thromboembolism from January 1st to December 31st, 2019. Demographics, obstetric information, VTE risk assessment scores, and prophylaxis-related information were recorded. Thromboprophylaxis included mobilization, mechanical methods, and treatment with anticoagulants.

Results

Data corresponding to a total of 106 cases from 26 hospitals across China were collected, and 100 (94.3%) cases, 75 cases involving deep vein thrombosis and 25 cases involving pulmonary thromboembolism, were included in the final analysis. VTE occurred in 80% of the patients at the postpartum stage, while 20 patients developed the disease during the antenatal stage. Cesarean section, advanced maternal age, and obesity were the most common risk factors related to VTE during the postpartum stage, while a previous VTE-related history was a prominent risk factor among antenatal cases. Up to 75% of the patients had one or more missed opportunities for prophylaxis. The lack of the implementation of mechanical methods (60.8% vs. 24.5%, P < 0.001) and anticoagulant treatment (61.1% vs. 48.7%, P < 0.001) were more common in general hospitals compared to those of specialized hospitals. In women assessed as high-risk, anticoagulant treatment was lacking in 41 (54.7%) cases. More importantly, the lack of the implementation of mechanical methods was more common among women assessed as low-risk (56.0% vs. 38.7%, P < 0.001). Among the antenatal cases, the lack of treatment with anticoagulants (100.0% vs. 48.5%, P < 0.001) and implementation of mechanical methods (70.0% vs. 36.7%, P < 0.001) was highlighted. In addition, the lack of early mobilization was much more prominent among the PTE cases (10.5% vs. 37.5%, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

At least one prophylactic opportunity was missed in most of the enrolled Chinese women with VTE during the course of their maternal healthcare. Missed prophylactic opportunities varied with the type of hospitals, risk assessment, onset timing and disease type. Further efforts from patients, healthcare systems, and healthcare providers are needed for improving the implementation of preventative strategies.

North American Physician Practice Patterns in the Management of Anticoagulation in Pregnancy

Background: During pregnancy and in the postpartum period women are at increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) owing to hypercoagulability and mechanical issues, as well as nonpregnancy conditions including inherited and acquired thrombophilia. Although guidelines exist for the use of thromboprophylaxis in this setting, there are differences in the specifics of the recommendations among expert societies. We assessed the current practice patterns of North American providers in the prevention of pregnancy-associated VTE in women with thrombophilia. Methods: A survey was created and distributed with case studies and questions addressing VTE prevention during the antepartum and postpartum periods. Results: Surveys were completed by 28% of adult providers queried, with broad geographic representation. There was consistent use of a prophylactic dose of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) ante- and postpartum for individuals with low-risk thrombophilia and past estrogen-provoked VTE but a lack of a consensus of anticoagulant (AC) use and dose in individuals with higher risk thrombophilia. There was variability in the dose selection and monitoring of AC when using induction versus spontaneous labor, with 47% of providers switching from LMWH to unfractionated heparin for those not having a scheduled delivery, and there were differences in the duration of postpartum prophylaxis based upon delivery mode. Conclusion: In this survey of North American experienced specialists' responses to a variety of commonly encountered scenarios of thrombophilia and pregnancy and the management of AC were not always consistent with published guidelines.

Acute Splenic Artery Thrombosis and Infarction Associated with COVID-19 Disease

Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) is a viral illness caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). It emerged in Wuhan, China, in December 2019 and has caused a widespread global pandemic. The symptoms of COVID-19 can vary from mild upper respiratory symptoms to severe pneumonia with hypoxemic respiratory failure. Multiple studies and reports have reported a hypercoagulable state associated with this disease, and various recommendations have emerged to guide the use of anticoagulants for prophylaxis. We are reporting a case of symptomatic acute splenic thrombosis causing splenic infarction in a patient suffering from a severe case of COVID-19 and despite the use of an intermediate dose of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). The patient was treated with full-dose anticoagulation and was eventually discharged home on a direct oral anticoagulant.

Predictive Factors of Deep Vein Thrombosis in Gynecologic Cancer Survivors with Lower Extremity Edema: A Single-Center and Retrospective Study

This study was conducted to examine predictive factors of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in gynecologic cancer survivors with lower extremity edema (LEE). In the current single-center, retrospective study, there was a total of 315 eligible patients, including 80 patients with DVT and 235 without DVT. They were therefore divided into two groups: the DVT group (n = 80) and the non-DVT group (n = 235). Then, baseline and clinical characteristics of the patients were compared between the two groups. In our study, distant organ metastasis, advanced stage, lymphadectomy, and amount of intraoperative blood loss had a positive predictive value for the occurrence of DVT in gynecologic cancer survivors presenting LEE. In conclusion, our results indicate that it is necessary to consider the possibility of LEE arising from DVT in gynecologic cancer survivors with advanced-stage cancer, distant organ metastasis, lymphadectomy, and intraoperative blood loss over 1500 mL.