Association between cardiovascular risk-factors and venous thromboembolism in a large longitudinal study of French women

Background

Previous studies have shown conflicting results regarding the influence of cardiovascular risk-factors on venous thromboembolism. This study aimed to determine if these risk-factors, i.e. physical activity, smoking, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and diabetes, were associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism, and to determine if these associations were confounded by BMI.

Methods

We used data from the E3N cohort study, a French prospective population-based study initiated in 1990, consisting of 98,995 women born between 1925 and 1950. From the women in the study we included those who did not have prevalent arterial disease or venous thromboembolism at baseline; thus 91,707 women were included in the study. Venous thromboembolism cases were self-reported during follow-up, and verified via specific mailings to medical practitioners or via drug reimbursements for anti-thrombotic medications. Hypertension, diabetes and dyslipidaemia were self-reported validated against drug reimbursements or specific questionnaires. Physical activity, and smoking were based on self-reports. Cox-models, adjusted for BMI and other potential risk-factors were used to determine hazard ratios for incident venous thromboembolism.

Results

During 1,897,960 person-years (PY), 1, 649 first incident episodes of thrombosis were identified at an incidence rate of 0.9 per 1000 PY. This included 505 cases of pulmonary embolism and 1144 cases of deep vein thrombosis with no evidence of pulmonary embolism. Hypertension, dyslipidaemia, diabetes, smoking and physical activity were not associated with the overall risk of thrombosis after adjustment for BMI.

Conclusions

Traditional cardiovascular risk factors were not associated with the risk of venous thromboembolism after adjustment for BMI. Hypertension, dyslipidaemia and diabetes may not be risk-factors for venous thromboembolism.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12959-021-00310-w.

Right ventricular dysfunction parallels left ventricular functional involvement in women with breast cancer experiencing subclinical cardiotoxicity

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Background

Cancer therapy related cardiac toxicity disease (CRCTD) of the left ventricle (LV)can influence the outcome of oncologic patients. Little is known on CRCTD related right ventricular (RV)dysfunction even though RV involvement has been proven to be a remarkable prognosticator in heart failure.

Purpose

To analyse parallel changes in LV and RV function occurring during the course of cancer therapy in women affected by breast cancer by using both standard and speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods

Fifty Her-2 positive breast cancer women (age = 53.6 ± 11.7 years) underwent sequential cancer therapy protocol including anthracycline (ANT) epirubicine + cyclophosphamide (4 cycles) followed by a total amount of 18 cycles with trastuzumab (TRZ) + paclitaxel. A complete echo-Doppler exam, including LV and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS)as well as RV septal and free wall longitudinal strain (SLS and FWLS respectively) assessment, was performed at baseline, after ANT end and after TRZ completion. Patients with overt heart failure and LV ejection fraction < 50%, coronary artery disease,atrial fibrillation, hemodinamically significant valve disease and inadequate echo were excluded. Overt CRCTD was defined according guidelines and both subclinical LV and RV CRCTD as a LV and RV GLS drop from baseline >15%.

Results

None of the patients experienced overt CTCRD but 6 patients (14%) showed subclinical LV dysfunction and 33 (66%) had a significant drop of RV longitudinal function.The comparison of standard echo-Doppler exam at baseline and after ANT and TRZ completion did not show significant changes of LV and RV systolic and diastolic parameters. Conversely, a progressive significant reduction of RV GLS (p < 0.002 after TRZ), SLS and FWLS and, with a lower extent, of LV GLS (p < 0.02 after TRZ) was observed after ANT and TRZ completion (Figure). Percentage reduction in RV GLS (DRV GLS) from baseline to ANT end correlated with LV GLS both at EC end (r=-0.40, p = 0.006) and after TRZ completion (r=-0.62, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Detrimental cardiac effects of cancer therapy involve both LV and RV systolic longitudinal function. Progressive RV dysfunction is evident through ANT and TRZ treatment. Early RV dysfunction parallels LV involvement and predicts subsequent LV subclinical dysfunction. A comprehensive LV and RV longitudinal function assessment might better predict the onset of CRCTD in breast cancer patients.

Abstract Figure.

Impact of diastolic blood pressure on speckle tracking derived myocardial work components in a population of normotensive and untreated hypertensive patients

Background

Arterial hypertension deeply influences left ventricular (LV) mechanics and global longitudinal strain (GLS). The effect of blood pressure (BP), in particular systolic BP burden, on speckle tracking derived myocardial work (MW) was demonstrated in both hypertensive and healthy subjects.

Purpose

Aim of our study was to evaluate the impact of diastolic BP (DBP) on MW components in a population of newly-diagnosed, never treated hypertensive patients and healthy subjects.

Methods

The study population included 105 newly-diagnosed, never treated hypertensive patients (M/F= 62/43; age=46.1±13.0 years, BP=145.1±10/89.8±7.4 mmHg), and 105 healthy normotensive subjects (BP=121.6±9.8/73.7±7.4mmHg), matched for age and sex. All participants underwent standard echo exam, including GLS evaluation (in absolute value). Cuff BP was employed as a surrogate of LV peak pressure for the assessment of global work index (GWI), global constructive work (GCW), global wasted work (GWW) and global work efficiency (GWE). Exclusion criteria were diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, overt heart failure, valve heart disease, primary cardiomyopathies, atrial fibrillation and inadequate echo imaging. The study population was divided into two groups according to DBP threshold of normalcy defined by 2018 ESH/ESC guidelines: the first group including individuals with normal DBP (n=135, DBP<90mmHg) and the second group including patients with abnormal DBP (n=75, DBP ≥90 mmHg).

Results

The two groups were comparable for sex prevalence, age and heart rate. Body mass index (BMI), systolic and mean BP were higher in the group with abnormal DBP (all p<0.0001). Among echo data, no significant intergroup difference was found in LV mass index, relative wall thickness, ejection fraction and diastolic parameters. GLS was lower in patients with abnormal DBP (20.4±1.9 vs. 22.1±2.1%, p<0.0001). GWI (2443.0±403.1 vs. 2277.3±359.6 mmHg%, p<0.002), GCW (2733.5±406.0 vs. 2556.9±405.6 mmHg%, p=0.003) and GWW (112.8±84.4 vs. 76.8±45.1 mmHg%, p<0.0001) were significantly higher in patients with abnormal DBP, whereas GWE (95.3±2.8 vs. 96.2±1.7%, p<0.002) was lower in this group. In the pooled population, DBP was positively related to GWI, GCW (both r=0.30, p<0.0001) and GWW (r=0.26, p<0.0001), while negatively correlated with GLS (r=−0.37, p<0.0001) and GWE (r=−0.21, p<0.002). By separate multiple linear regression analyses, GWI (β=0.45, p<0.0001), GCW (β=0.47, p<0.0001), GWW (β=0.20, p=0.007) and GWE (β=−0.15, p<0.05) were all independently associated with DBP, after adjusting for male sex, age, BMI, heart rate, GLS and E/e' ratio.

Conclusions

In a population of untreated hypertensive patients and healthy subjects, increased DBP affects longitudinal function and MW. In particular, elevated diastolic BP induces an increase of wasted work which is only partially balanced by the increased constructive work, thus provoking a clear reduced efficiency of myocardial mechanics.

Figure 1

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

Right ventricular dysfunction parallels left ventricular functional involvement in women with breast cancer experiencing subclinical cardiotoxicity

Background

Cancer therapy related cardiac toxicity disease (CRCTD) of the left ventricle (LV)can influence the outcome of oncologic patients. Little is known on CRCTD related right ventricular (RV)dysfunction even though RV involvement has been proven to be a remarkable prognosticator in heart failure.

Purpose

To analyse parallel changes in LV and RV function occurring during the course of cancer therapy in women affected by breast cancer by using both standard and speckle tracking echocardiography.

Methods

Fifty Her-2 positive breast cancer women (age = 53.6±11.7 years) underwent sequential cancer therapy protocol including anthracycline (ANT) epirubicine + cyclophosphamide (4 cycles) followed by a total amount of 18 cycles with trastuzumab (TRZ) + paclitaxel. A complete echo-Doppler exam, including LV and RV global longitudinal strain (GLS)as well as RV septal and free wall longitudinal strain (SLS and FWLS respectively) assessment, was performed at baseline, after ANT end and after TRZ completion. Patients with overt heart failure and LV ejection fraction <50%, coronary artery disease,atrial fibrillation, hemodinamically significant valve disease and inadequate echo were excluded. Overt CRCTD was defined according guidelines and both subclinical LV and RV CRCTD as a LV and RV GLS drop from baseline >15%.

Results

None of the patients experienced overt CTCRD but 6 patients (14%) showed subclinical LV dysfunction and 33 (66%) had a significant drop of RV longitudinal function.The comparison of standard echo-Doppler exam at baseline and after ANT and TRZ completion did not show significant changes of LV and RV systolic and diastolic parameters. Conversely, a progressive significant reduction of RV GLS (p<0.002 after TRZ), SLS and FWLS and, with a lower extent, of LV GLS (p<0.02 after TRZ) was observed after ANT and TRZ completion (Figure). Percentage reduction in RV GLS (DRV GLS) from baseline to ANT end correlated with LV GLS both at EC end (r=−0.40, p=0.006) and after TRZ completion (r=−0.62, p<0.0001).

Conclusions

Detrimental cardiac effects of cancer therapy involve both LV and RV systolic longitudinal function. Progressive RV dysfunction is evident through ANT and TRZ treatment. Early RV dysfunction parallels LV involvement and predicts subsequent LV subclinical dysfunction. A comprehensive LV and RV longitudinal function assessment might better predict the onset of CRCTD in breast cancer patients.

LV and RV strain during cancer therapy

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: None

1033 Prominent longitudinal strain involvement of left ventricular basal segments in native hypertensive patients without clear-cut hypertrophy

Background

Left ventricular (LV) global longitudinal strain (GLS) is able to detect an early subclinical dysfunction and it has been demonstrated to be a prognosticator in arterial hypertension. Information of regional longitudinal strain (LS) pattern has not been investigated in this clinical setting.

Purpose

We analyzed regional LV patterns of LS and base-to-apex behaviour of LS in newly diagnosed and never-treated hypertensive patients (HTN) without clear-cut LV hypertrophy (LVH).

Methods

166 HTN (M/F = 107/59; age 43.9 ± 14.3 years, blood pressure [BP] = 146.5± 10.7/90.1 ± 7.5 mmHg) and a control group of 94 healthy subjects (M/F = 58/36; age 41.2 ± 15.0 years) underwent standard echo-Doppler exam, including speckle tracking quantification of regional LS and GLS (considered in absolute values). The average LS of six basal (BLS), six middle (MLS), and six apical (ALS) segments and relative regional strain ratio - RRSR = [ALS/(BLS + MLS)] - were also computed. Exclusion criteria were LVH (LV mass index ≥45 g/m^2.7 in females and ≥49 g/m^2.7 in males), diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, overt heart failure, hemodynamically significant valve heart disease, primary cardiomyopathies, atrial fibrillation and inadequate echo imaging.

Results

The two groups were comparable for sex, age, heart rate and LV ejection fraction (EF). Body mass index (BMI), systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP) and mean BP (MBP) (all p < 0.0001), LV mass index (p = 0.03), relative wall thickness (RWT) (p < 0.02) and E/e’ ratio (p < 0.01) were higher, and GLS lower (21.6 ± 2.0 vs. 22.2 ± 2.1%, p < 0.02) in HTN. By analyzing regional LS, BLS (18.2 ± 2.1% vs. 19.2 ± 2.1%, p < 0.0001) and MLS (20.7 ± 2.0 vs. 21.4 ± 2.1%, p = 0.007) resulted significantly lower in HTN, without significant difference in ALS (26.0 ± 3.6 vs. 25.9 ± 3.8%, p = 0.98). Accordingly, RRSR was higher in HTN (0.67 ± 0.09 vs. 0.64 ± 0.09, p < 0.01). Even after excluding patients with LV concentric remodeling (RWT > 0.42) (n = 34), BLS (p < 0.0001) and MLS (p < 0.002) were again lower and RRSR (p < 0.01) higher in HTN than in controls. In the pooled population, BLS negatively correlated with SBP (r=-0.22), DBP (r=-0.25) and MBP (r=-0.26) (Figure) (all p < 0.0001). By a multiple linear regression analysis, after adjusting for age, sex, BMI and RWT, the association between BLS and MBP remained significant (β coefficient=-0.23, p < 0.0001), with an additional significant impact of male sex (β=-0.33, p < 0.0001) (cumulative R²=0.18, SEE = 1.9%, p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Besides normal LV EF, GLS is lower in HTN. LS dysfunction involves basal and, with a lower extent, middle myocardial segments, with a compensation of apical segments. RRSR appears to be significantly higher in HTN. These results are even confirmed in hypertensive patients with normal LV geometry. The association of BLS and BP appears to be independent on several confounders. Regional LS pattern might be useful to detect very early LV systolic abnormalities in arterial hypertension.

Abstract 1033 Figure. Relation between MBP and BLS

Venous thromboembolism risk in relation to use of different types of postmenopausal hormone therapy in a large prospective study

BACKGROUND

Current use of menopausal hormone therapy (HT) increases the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and the formulations used may affect risk.

METHODS

A total of 1,058,259 postmenopausal UK women were followed by record linkage to routinely collected National Health Service hospital admission and death records. HT use and risk of VTE was examined using Cox regression to estimate relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

RESULTS

During 3.3 million years of follow-up, 2200 women had an incident VTE, diagnosed, on average, 1.5 years after last reporting HT use. RRs in current vs. never users at last reporting varied by HT formulation: the risk was significantly greater for oral estrogen-progestin than oral estrogen-only therapy (RR = 2.07 [95%CI, 1.86-2.31] vs. 1.42 [1.21-1.66]), with no increased risk with transdermal estrogen-only therapy (0.82 [0.64-1.06]). Among users of oral estrogen-progestin, the risk from HT varied by progestin type, with significantly greater risks for preparations containing medroxyprogesterone acetate than other progestins (2.67 [2.25-3.17] vs. 1.91 [1.69-2.17]; Pheterogeneity = 0.0007). Current users of oral HT at last reporting had twice the risk of VTE in the first 2 years after starting HT than later (Pheterogeneity = 0.0006). Associations were similar for deep vein thrombosis with and without pulmonary embolism. Over 5 years, 1 in 660 who had never used HT were admitted to hospital for (or died from) pulmonary embolism, compared with 1 in 475 current users of oral estrogen-only HT,1 in 390 users of estrogen-progestin HT containing norethisterone/norgestrel, and 1 in 250 users of estrogen-progestin HT containing medroxyprogesterone acetate.

CONCLUSIONS

The risk of VTE varied considerably by HT formulation, being greatest in users of oral estrogen-progestin HT, especially formulations containing medroxyprogesterone acetate.

Protein S inherited qualitative deficiency: novel mutations and phenotypic influence

BACKGROUND

Only a few mutations associated with qualitative protein S deficiency have already been described. Sensitivity and specificity for type II PROS1 mutations of commercially available reagents for measuring Protein S (PS) activity are not well established. Whether these mutations are significant risk factors for thrombosis remains an unresolved question.

METHODS

In order to address the first point, we present and discuss the results of PROS1 analysis performed in the 30 probands with type II PS-inherited deficiency suspicion and 35 relatives, studied in our laboratory between 2000 and 2008. In order to investigate the influence of type II mutations on the coagulability level, thrombin generation tests were performed on plasma from 102 PROS1 type II, type I/III or PS Herleen mutation heterozygous carriers and controls.

RESULTS

Mutations (12 novel, six already described) which probably explain the qualitative phenotype, were found in 27 (90%) out of the 30 probands studied. In relatives, 78% of heterozygotes presented with a type II phenotype. An APC resistance phenotype was documented in type II and type I/III defects heterozygous carriers; however, the effect of type II was milder than the effect of type I/III PS mutations.

CONCLUSIONS

A PS functional assay (Staclot PS, Stago) was efficient in screening for PROS1 type II defects, particularly in probands. A significant positive influence of type II mutations on ex vivo thrombin generation was demonstrated. However, whether these mutations increase the risk of venous thromboembolism requires further investigation.

Obesity and risk of venous thromboembolism among postmenopausal women: differential impact of hormone therapy by route of estrogen administration. The ESTHER Study

BACKGROUND

Oral estrogen use and elevated body mass index (BMI) increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Recent data suggest that transdermal estrogen might be safe with respect to thrombotic risk. However, the impact of transdermal estrogen on the association between overweight (25 kg m(-2) < BMI < or = 30 kg m(-2)) or obesity (BMI >30 kg m(-2)) and VTE risk has not been investigated.

METHODS

We carried a multicenter case-control study of VTE among postmenopausal women aged 45-70 years, between 1999 and 2005, in France. Case population consisted of women with a first documented idiopathic VTE. We recruited 191 hospital cases matched with 416 hospital controls and 62 outpatient cases matched with 181 community controls.

RESULTS

The odds ratio (OR) for VTE was 2.5 [95% confidence interval (CI):1.7-3.7] for overweight and 3.9 (95% CI: 2.2-6.9) for obesity. Oral, not transdermal, estrogen was associated with an increased VTE risk (OR = 4.5; 95% CI: 2.6-7.7 and OR = 1.1; 95% CI: 0.7-1.7, respectively). Compared with non-users with normal weight, the combination of oral estrogen use and overweight or obesity further enhanced VTE risk (OR = 10.2; 95% CI: 3.5-30.2 and OR = 20.6; 95% CI: 4.8-88.1, respectively). However, transdermal users with increased BMI had similar risk as non-users with increased BMI (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.5-5.8 and OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.7-4.5 respectively for overweight; OR = 5.4; 95% CI: 2.1-14.1 and OR = 4.0; 95% CI: 2.1-7.8 respectively for obesity).

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to oral estrogen, transdermal estrogen does not confer an additional risk of idiopathic VTE in women with increased BMI. The safety of transdermal estrogen on thrombotic risk has to be confirmed.

Anomalous LO phonon lifetime in AlAs

The temperature dependence of the frequencies and linewidths of the Raman-active longitudinal optical (LO) phonons in GaAs and AlAs have been measured. The low-temperature lifetime of the LO phonon in AlAs is found to be 9.7 ps, very close to the corresponding GaAs value of 9.5 ps. This contradicts early theoretical predictions. The agreement between theory and experiment can be restored when the accidental degeneracy between the AlAs LO phonon frequency and a feature in the two-phonon density of states is taken into account.

["Pseudomonas aeruginosa" in the hospital of Avellino, and the presence of colonies in the obstetric, pediatric and neonatal wards. A microbiological study of the environment and of hygienic and prophylactic measures (author's transl)]

We observed two episodes of Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonisation taking place in a Hospital. This organism was isolated in a pure culture from the faeces of 41 newborn children, many patients and from a large part on the obstetrics and pediatry division's staff. The AA. investigated the ways of spreading of this germ which caused both in the adults and the babies, no sign of illness. Biotypes one causing the first episode and the other related to the second one were isolated them showed a wide spectrum of resistance to several antibiotics and they of disappeared after accurate measures of hygiene concerning persons and places were adopted.