Reversible coronary microvascular dysfunction: a common pathogenetic mechanism in Apical Ballooning or Tako-Tsubo Syndrome

AIMS

To study coronary microvascular dysfunction as possible pathogenetic mechanism in Apical Ballooning Syndrome (ABS).

METHODS AND RESULTS

Fifteen ABS patients (all women, 68 +/- 14 years) underwent myocardial contrast echocardiography at baseline during adenosine infusion (140 microg/kg/min) and at 1-month follow-up and compared with a group of anterior ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients with similar clinical characteristics. Myocardial perfusion was assessed by contrast score index (CSI) and endocardial length of contrast defect (contrast defect length, CDL), whereas myocardial dysfunction by wall motion score index (WMSI), endocardial length of contractile dysfunction (wall motion defect length, WMDL), and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). At baseline, no difference in myocardial perfusion and dysfunction were present between the two groups. During adenosine challenge, while no changes were observed in STEMI group, in ABS patients CSI, CDL, WMSI, and WMDL significantly decreased compared with baseline (P < 0.001 vs. baseline for all parameters) and LVEF significantly increased (P = 0.01 vs. baseline). At 1-month follow-up, myocardial perfusion and dysfunction completely recovered in ABS patients (P < 0.001 vs. baseline for all parameters), whereas no significant changes were observed in STEMI group.

CONCLUSION

Our data strongly suggest that in ABS, irrespectively of its underlying aetiology, acute and reversible coronary microvascular vasoconstriction could represent a common pathophysiological mechanism.

Venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19: Systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) may complicate the course of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the incidence of VTE in patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched up to 24th June 2020 for studies that evaluated the incidence of VTE, including pulmonary embolism (PE) and/or deep vein thrombosis (DVT), in patients with COVID-19. Pooled proportions with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) and prediction intervals (PI) were calculated by random-effect meta-analysis.

RESULTS

3487 patients from 30 studies were included. Based on very low-quality evidence due to heterogeneity and risk of bias, the incidence of VTE was 26% (95% PI, 6%-66%). PE with or without DVT occurred in 12% of patients (95% PI, 2%-46%) and DVT alone in 14% (95% PI, 1%-75%). Studies using standard algorithms for clinically suspected VTE reported PE in 13% of patients (95% PI, 2%-57%) and DVT in 6% (95% PI, 0%-60%), compared to 11% (95% PI, 2%-46%) and 24% (95% PI, 2%-85%) in studies using other diagnostic strategies or patient sampling. In patients admitted to intensive care units, VTE occurred in 24% (95% PI, 5%-66%), PE in 19% (95% PI, 6%-47%), and DVT alone in 7% (95% PI, 0%-69%). Corresponding values in general wards were respectively 9% (95% PI, 0%-94%), 4% (95% PI, 0%-100%), and 7% (95% CI, 1%-49%).

CONCLUSIONS

VTE represents a frequent complication in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and often occurs as PE. The threshold for clinical suspicion should be low to trigger prompt diagnostic testing.

Incidence of deep vein thrombosis among non-ICU patients hospitalized for COVID-19 despite pharmacological thromboprophylaxis

BACKGROUND

A remarkably high incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been reported among critically ill patients with COVID-19 assisted in the intensive care unit (ICU). However, VTE burden among non-ICU patients hospitalized for COVID-19 that receive guideline-recommended thromboprophylaxis is unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the incidence of VTE among non-ICU patients hospitalized for COVID-19 that receive pharmacological thromboprophylaxis.

METHODS

We performed a systematic screening for the diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) by lower limb vein compression ultrasonography (CUS) in consecutive non-ICU patients hospitalized for COVID-19, independent of the presence of signs or symptoms of DVT. All patients were receiving pharmacological thromboprophylaxis with either enoxaparin or fondaparinux.

RESULTS

The population that we screened consisted of 84 consecutive patients, with a mean age of 67.6 ± 13.5 years and a mean Padua Prediction Score of 5.1 ± 1.6. Seventy-two patients (85.7%) had respiratory insufficiency, required oxygen supplementation, and had reduced mobility or were bedridden. In this cohort, we found 10 cases of DVT, with an incidence of 11.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.98-18.82). Of these, 2 were proximal DVT (incidence rate 2.4%, 95% CI -0.87-5.67) and 8 were distal DVT (incidence rate 9.5%, 95% CI 3.23-5.77). Significant differences between subjects with and without DVT were D-dimer > 3000 µg/L (P < .05), current or previous cancer (P < .05), and need of high flow nasal oxygen therapy and/or non-invasive ventilation (P < .01).

CONCLUSIONS

DVT may occur among non-ICU patients hospitalized for COVID-19, despite guideline-recommended thromboprophylaxis.

Risk of intracranial bleeding in patients with primary brain cancer receiving therapeutic anticoagulation for venous thromboembolism: A meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is common in glioma patients. Also, spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is frequently observed in subjects with primary brain tumors. Thus, the management of anticoagulant therapy for VTE is challenging and controversial in these patients. We performed a meta-analysis to clarify the risk of ICH in glioma patients treated with anticoagulant therapy for VTE compared to glioma patients without VTE.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, Scopus, and EMBASE databases between January 1980 and January 2019 without language restrictions. Summary statistics for ICH were obtained by calculating the odds ratio (OR) using a random effects model, and heterogeneity across studies was estimated by the I² statistic. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to evaluate the quality of studies.

RESULTS

A total of 368 studies were initially identified. Of these, 346 were excluded after title review. The remaining 22 studies were reviewed in detail. According to the PICO criteria, 15 studies were excluded. Finally, 7 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The OR for ICH in glioma patients receiving therapeutic anticoagulation for VTE versus those who did not receive anticoagulation was 3.66 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.84-7.29; I²  = 31%).

CONCLUSIONS

This meta-analysis demonstrates that anticoagulation for VTE increases the risk of ICH in subjects with malignant brain tumors. Future studies are warranted to fully understand the best medical treatment of VTE in glioma patients.

Anticoagulant treatment for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Data on anticoagulant treatment for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) are largely derived from studies on usual site venous thromboembolism (VTE).

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy for UEDVT.

PATIENTS/METHODS

A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE was conducted for studies including patients with UEDVT. Primary outcomes were recurrent VTE and major bleeding. Secondary outcomes included clinically-relevant non-major bleeding and all-cause mortality. Summary estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by random-effect meta-analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 1473 patients from 11 prospective and nine retrospective studies were included. Sixty percent of patients had an indwelling catheter and 56.1% had cancer. Anticoagulant treatment consisted of direct oral anticoagulants, low molecular weight heparin followed by vitamin K antagonists, and low molecular weight heparin alone in 45.1%, 35.0%, and 19.9% of patients, respectively. During a median follow-up of 13 months, recurrent VTE occurred in 3% of patients (95% CI: 2-4; 21/1334 patients), major bleeding in 3% (95% CI: 2%-5%; 29/1235 patients), clinically-relevant non-major bleeding in 4% (95% CI: 3-6; 40/1075 patients), and all-cause mortality in 9% (95% CI: 5-15; 108/1084 patients). Rates of these outcomes were not significantly different between patients with or without cancer, patients with or without an indwelling catheter, and among those receiving different anticoagulant treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with UEDVT, anticoagulant treatment is associated with a low risk of recurrent VTE and a nonnegligible risk of major bleeding.

Polycythemia vera

The diagnostic approach to a patient with polycythemia has been greatly simplified by the introduction of new genetic testing in addition to traditional tests, such as measurement of red cell mass and serum erythropoietin (Epo) level. Clonal erythrocytosis, which is the diagnostic feature of polycythemia vera (PV), is almost always associated with a JAK2 mutation (JAK2V617F or exon 12). Therefore, in a patient with acquired erythrocytosis, it is reasonable to begin the diagnostic work-up with JAK2 mutation analysis to distinguish PV from secondary erythrocytosis. The clinical course of PV is marked by a high incidence of thrombotic complications that represent the main cause of morbidity and mortality in these patients. Blood hyperviscosity as well as platelet and leukocyte quantitative, and qualitative abnormalities play a major role in the pathogenesis of thrombophilia. Prevention of vascular events and minimizing the risk of disease transition into acute leukaemia are the main targets of the whole PV treatment strategy. This can rely on the use of low-dose aspirin in most patients, while the choice of the optimal cytoreductive strategy is based on the individual vascular risk. Phlebotomy is still the preferred treatment in subjects at low risk, while hydroxyurea or pipobroman is usually administered to most elderly subjects or subjects with a previous vascular history. The use of pegylated interferon, imatinib, and JAK2 inhibitors is currently being evaluated.

High-dose versus low-dose venous thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Hospitalized COVID-19 patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Standard doses of anticoagulant prophylaxis may not be sufficiently effective for the prevention of VTE. The objective of this systematic-review and meta-analysis was to compare the efficacy and safety of high-dose versus low-dose thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up to October 2021 for randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing high-dose with low-dose thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized adult patients with COVID-19. The primary efficacy outcome was the occurrence of VTE and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 5470 patients from 9 RCTs were included. Four trials included critically ill patients, four non-critically ill patients, and one included both. VTE occurred in 2.9% of patients on high-dose and in 5.7% of patients on low-dose thromboprophylaxis (relative risk [RR] 0.53; 95% confidence intervals [CIs], 0.41-0.69; I² = 0%; number needed to treat for an additional beneficial outcome, 22). Major bleeding occurred in 2.5% and 1.4% of patients, respectively (RR 1.78; 95% CI, 1.20-2.66; I² = 0%; number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome, 100). All-cause mortality did not differ between groups (RR 0.97; 95% CI, 0.75-1.26; I² = 47%). The risk of VTE was significantly reduced by high-dose thromboprophylaxis in non-critically ill (RR 0.54; 95% CI, 0.35-0.86; I² = 0%), but not in critically ill patients (RR 0.69; 95% CI, 0.39-1.21; I² = 36%).

DISCUSSION

In hospitalized patients with COVID-19, high-dose thromboprophylaxis is more effective than low-dose for the prevention of VTE but increases the risk of major bleeding.

Controversies in venous thromboembolism: the unique case of isolated distal deep vein thrombosis

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents the third leading cause of cardiovascular mortality, and it is the main cause of preventable mortality in hospitalized patients. Among VTE, there is the unique case of isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT), which still lacks an agreement in terms of optimal therapeutic strategy. Although most IDDVTs are self-limiting and associated with a very low risk of embolic complications, still not all IDDVTs can be safely identified as stable. Lack of strong scientific evidence, fear of thromboembolic complications, and risk of bleeding upon initiation of anticoagulant treatment result in very heterogeneous therapeutic strategies among physicians. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the literature, highlight the many controversial issues regarding IDDVTs, and call for a consensus of experts aimed to shed new light on the gray areas of IDDVT management and therapy.

Microparticles Produced by Activated Platelets Carry a Potent and Functionally Active Angiogenic Signal in Subjects with Crohn's Disease

Microparticles (MPs) are submicron vesicles shed from various cell types upon activation, stimulation, and death. Activated platelets are an important source of circulating MPs in subjects with inflammatory diseases, including Crohn’s disease (CD). Angiogenesis is a hallmark of inflammation in CD and plays an active role in sustaining disease progression, while targeting angiogenesis may be an effective approach to block colitis. In this study, we analyzed the angiogenic content of the MPs produced by activated platelets in subjects with CD. We also evaluated whether the angiogenic signal carried by these MPs was functionally active, or able to induce angiogenesis. We found that, in subjects with CD, MPs produced by activated platelets contain significantly higher levels of angiogenic mRNAs, such as epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor-α (PDGFα), fibroblast growth factor (FGF-2), and angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1), compared to MPs isolated from control subjects. They also contain significantly higher levels of prototypical angiogenic proteins, including vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1, endoglin, endothelin-1, pentraxin 3, platelet factor-4, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases-1 (TIMP-1), and thrombospondin 1. The protein content of these MPs is functionally active, since it has the ability to induce a robust angiogenic process in an endothelial cell/interstitial cell co-culture in vitro assay. Our results reveal a potential novel mechanism through which the angiogenic signal is delivered in subjects with CD, with potentially important clinical and therapeutic implications.

Microparticles Carrying Sonic Hedgehog Are Increased in Humans with Peripheral Artery Disease

Sonic hedgehog (Shh) is a prototypical angiogenic agent with a crucial role in the regulation of angiogenesis. Experimental studies have shown that Shh is upregulated in response to ischemia. Also, Shh may be found on the surface of circulating microparticles (MPs) and MPs bearing Shh (Shh + MPs) have shown the ability to contribute to reparative neovascularization after ischemic injury in mice. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that, in humans with peripheral artery disease (PAD), there is increased number of circulating Shh + MPs. This was done by assessing the number of Shh + MPs in plasma of patients with PAD and control subjects without PAD. We found significantly higher number of Shh + MPs in plasma of subjects with PAD, compared to controls, while the global number of MPs—produced either by endothelial cells, platelets, leukocytes, and erythrocytes—was not different between PAD patients and controls. We also found a significant association between the number of Shh + MPs and the number of collateral vessels in the ischemic limbs of PAD patients. Interestingly, the concentration of Shh protein unbound to MPs—which was measured in MP-depleted plasma—was not different between subjects with PAD and the controls, indicating that, in the setting of PAD, the call for Shh recapitulation does not lead to secretion of protein into the blood but to binding of the protein to the membrane of MPs. These findings provide novel information on Shh signaling during ischemia in humans, with potentially important biological and clinical implications.

Sonic hedgehog is expressed in human brain arteriovenous malformations and induces arteriovenous malformations in vivo

Abnormalities in arterial versus venous endothelial cell identity and dysregulation of angiogenesis are deemed important in the pathophysiology of brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs). The Sonic hedgehog (Shh) pathway is crucial for both angiogenesis and arterial versus venous differentiation of endothelial cells, through its dual role on the vascular endothelial growth factor/Notch signaling and the nuclear orphan receptor COUP-TFII. In this study, we show that Shh, Gli1 (the main transcription factor of the Shh pathway), and COUP-TFII (a target of the non-canonical Shh pathway) are aberrantly expressed in human brain AVMs. We also show that implantation of pellets containing Shh in the cornea of Efnb2/LacZ mice induces growth of distinct arteries and veins, interconnected by complex sets of arteriovenous shunts, without an interposed capillary bed, as seen in AVMs. We also demonstrate that injection in the rat brain of a plasmid containing the human Shh gene induces the growth of tangles of tortuous and dilated vessels, in part positive and in part negative for the arterial marker αSMA, with direct connections between αSMA-positive and -negative vessels. In summary, we show that the Shh pathway is active in human brain AVMs and that Shh-induced angiogenesis has characteristics reminiscent of those seen in AVMs in humans.

Antithrombotic treatment for retinal vein occlusion: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Retinal vein occlusion (RVO) represents a common thrombotic disorder.

OBJECTIVES

In this meta-analysis, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in RVO.

METHODS

MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched up to December 2021 for observational studies and randomized controlled trials including patients with RVO. Efficacy outcomes were best-corrected visual acuity improvement, recurrent RVO, fluorescein angiography improvement, cardiovascular events, and safety outcomes were major bleeding and intraocular bleeding.

RESULTS

A total of 1422 patients (15 studies) were included. Antiplatelet therapy was administered to 477 patients (13 studies), anticoagulant therapy to 312 patients (12 studies), and 609 (7 studies) patients received no antithrombotic treatment. The treatment duration ranged between 0.5 and 3 months. The median follow-up duration was 12 months. Best-corrected visual acuity improvement was reported in 58% of the patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 45%-69%) overall, 64% (95% CI, 58%-71%) in those on anticoagulant therapy, and 33% (95% CI, 21%-47%) in those on antiplatelet therapy. The rates of recurrent RVO was 11% (95% CI, 7%-17%), 7% (95% CI, 2%-19%), and 15% (95% CI, 8%-28%), respectively. The rate of recurrent RVO in untreated patients was 9% (95% CI, 6%-14%). The rate of major bleeding was 5% (95% CI, 3%-9%) overall, 4% (95% CI, 2%-9%) in those on anticoagulant therapy, and 7% (95% CI, 2%-23%) in those on antiplatelet therapy.

CONCLUSION

Anticoagulant therapy was associated with higher visual acuity improvement and fewer recurrent RVO events than antiplatelet therapy, at the cost of an acceptable proportion of bleeding complications.

Safety of antithrombotic therapy in subjects with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia: prospective data from a multidisciplinary working group

Subjects with the rare autosomal dominant disease Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) may develop medical conditions that require antithrombotic therapy (AT). However, safety of AT is uncertain in these patients and the only data currently available derive from retrospective analyses of registries and/or databases. At the HHT Centre of the ‘Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS’ (Rome, Italy), a prospective study is currently ongoing to evaluate the safety of AT in subjects affected by HHT. The study is enrolling subjects with a definite diagnosis of HHT who receive an AT prescription by one of the physicians of the HHT Centre. The primary outcome is the number of hemorrhagic events, distinguished in major, clinically relevant non-major (CRNM), and minor bleedings, according to the criteria of the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH). Another primary outcome is worsening of epistaxis upon initiation of AT, assessed using the internationally accepted Epistaxis Severity Score (ESS). Additional outcomes are changes in hemoglobin levels and changes in the need of blood transfusion after initiation of AT. Here, we present the results of an interim analysis, conducted on the 12 HHT subjects that have been enrolled so far. After a mean follow-up of 6.5 ± 0.8 months, no major bleedings, no CRNM bleedings, and no minor bleedings different from epistaxis were recorded. Worsening of epistaxis upon initiation of AT was documented only in one patient, but did not require discontinuation of AT. There were no significant changes in the mean ESS measured before and after initiation of AT. There were no significant changes in hemoglobin levels and need for blood transfusion after initiation of AT. Although preliminary, these are the first prospective data on the safety of AT in HHT patients. Our interim analysis suggests that, when prescribed by experienced physicians in a multidisciplinary setting, AT is well tolerated by HHT patients. More patients and a longer follow-up are needed to confirm these findings.

Differences in Clinical Presentation, Rate of Pulmonary Embolism, and Risk Factors Among Patients With Deep Vein Thrombosis in Unusual Sites

Unusual site deep vein thrombosis (USDVT) is an uncommon form of venous thromboembolism with heterogeneous signs and symptoms, unknown rate of pulmonary embolism (PE), and poorly defined risk factors. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 107 consecutive cases of USDVTs, discharged from our University Hospital over a period of 2 years. Patients were classified based on the site of thrombosis and distinguished between patients with cerebral vein thrombosis, jugular vein thrombosis, thrombosis of the deep veins of the upper extremities, and abdominal vein thrombosis. We found statistically significant differences between groups in terms of age (P < .0001) and gender distribution (P < .05). We also found that the rate of symptomatic patients was significantly different between groups (P < .0001). Another interesting finding was the significant difference between groups in terms of rate of PE (P < .01). Finally, we found statistically significant differences between groups in terms of risk factors for thrombosis, in particular cancer (P < .01). Unprovoked cases were differently distributed among groups (P < .0001). This study highlights differences between patients with USDVT, which depend on the site of thrombosis, and provides data which might be useful in clinical practice.

Pulmonary Embolism in COVID-19 Patients: Which Diagnostic Algorithm Should We Use?

Introduction: Although pulmonary embolism (PE) is a frequent complication of the clinical course of COVID-19, there is a lack of explicit indications regarding the best algorithm for diagnosing PE in these patients. In particular, it is not clear how to identify subjects who should undergo computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), rather than simply X-ray and/or high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) of the chest.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed COVID-19 patients who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) of our University hospital with acute respiratory failure, or that developed acute respiratory failure during hospital stay, to determine how many of them had a theoretical indication to undergo CTPA for suspected PE according to current guidelines. Next, we looked for differences between patients who underwent CTPA and those who only underwent X-ray and/or HRCT of the chest. Finally, we determined whether patients with a confirmed diagnosis of PE had specific characteristics that made them different from those with a CTPA negative for PE.

Results: Out of 93 subjects with COVID-19 and acute respiratory failure, 73 (78.4%) had an indication to undergo CTPA according to the revised Geneva and Wells scores and the PERC rule-out criteria, and 54 (58%) according to the YEARS algorithm. However, in contrast with these indications, only 28 patients (30.1%) underwent CTPA. Of note, they were not clinically different from those who underwent X-ray and/or HRCT of the chest. Among the 28 subjects who underwent CTPA, there were 10 cases of PE (35.7%). They were not clinically different from those with CTPA negative for PE.

Conclusions: COVID-19 patients with acute respiratory failure undergo CTPA, X-ray of the chest, or HRCT without an established criterion. Nonetheless, when CTPA is performed, the diagnosis of PE is anything but rare. Validated tools for identifying COVID-19 patients who require CTPA for suspected PE are urgently needed.

Antithrombotic therapy and intracranial bleeding in subjects with sporadic brain arteriovenous malformations: preliminary results from a retrospective study

Whether antithrombotic treatment is safe and/or affects the risk of intracranial bleeding in subjects with sporadic brain arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is unknown. We conducted a retrospective analysis on the use of antithrombotics among patients affected by brain AVMs in follow-up at our institution. Attention was paid to the type of antithrombotic drug (either antiplatelets or anticoagulants), current or past use, dosage, and duration of treatment. Several clinical and angioarchitectural features of brain AVMs were also taken into consideration. The association between the use of antithrombotics and haemorrhagic onset was analyzed. A total of 77 patients were included in this study. Among them, ten patients were taking antithrombotic drugs at the time of AVM diagnosis. The rate of haemorrhagic onset was not significantly different between subjects who were and were not taking antithrombotic drugs (40 vs 55.2%, p = ns). Among the many clinical and angioarchitectural features analyzed, the only parameter that showed a statistically significant association with haemorrhagic onset was the size of the nidus. Patients who took antithrombotic treatments after being diagnosed with a brain AVM did not show an increased rate of intracranial haemorrhage over time considering a mean follow-up 4 years. In our study, antithrombotic treatment was not associated with increased intracranial bleeding among subjects with brain AVMs. In the presence of a strong clinical indication, antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications should not be denied a priori to patients with brain AVMs. Studies on larger populations are necessary to confirm these data.

A Single Center Retrospective Cohort Study Comparing Different Anticoagulants for the Treatment of Catheter-Related Thrombosis of the Upper Extremities in Women With Gynecologic and Breast Cancer

Background

Catheter-related thrombosis (CRT) of the upper extremities is a frequent complication among cancer patients that carry a central venous catheter (CVC) and may lead to pulmonary embolism (PE) and loss of CVC function. Despite its clinical impact, no anticoagulant treatment scheme has been rigorously evaluated in these patients. In addition, there is no proven evidence that direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are efficacious and safe in this setting because cancer patients with CRT of the upper extremities were not included in the clinical trials that led to the approval of DOACs for the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods

We performed a single center retrospective cohort study on women with gynecologic or breast cancer treated with either low-molecular-weight heparin, fondaparinux, or DOACs for CRT of the upper extremities. Only patients who received anticoagulation at the proper therapeutic dose and for at least 3 months were included in the analysis. Effectiveness was evaluated in terms of preservation of line function, residual thrombosis, and recurrence of VTE (including PE). Safety was evaluated in terms of death, major bleeding (MB), and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB).

Results

We identified 74 women who fulfilled the criteria to be included in the analysis. Of these, 31 (41.9%) had been treated with fondaparinux, 21 (28.4%) with enoxaparin, and 22 (29.7%) with the DOAC edoxaban. We found no differences between patients treated with the three different therapeutic approaches, in terms of preservation of line function, incidence of residual thrombosis, and VTE recurrence (including PE). Safety was similar as well, with no MBs recorded in any treatment group.

Conclusion

These results, although retrospective and based on a relatively small sample size, indicate that, in women with gynecologic or breast cancer, CRT of the upper extremities may be treated with similar effectiveness and safety with fondaparinux, enoxaparin, and edoxaban. Further studies are needed to substantiate these findings.

Acute Right Ventricular Heart Failure: An Uncommon Case of Thyrotoxicosis

Right ventricular failure can be secondary to right ventricular ischemia, pulmonary or tricuspid valvular disease, myocardial shunts, cardiomyopathy, acute and chronic pulmonary hypertension, myocarditis and pericardial disease and it generally carries a poor prognosis. Thyrotoxicosis is a clinical state resulting from high thyroid hormone action in tissues generally due to high thyroid hormone levels. The association between severe hyperthyroidism and high-output heart failure is well-known. Less widespread is the concept that hyperthyroid patients, irrespective of coexisting diseases and through mechanisms not fully elucidated, are at higher risk for pulmonary hypertension and right heart failure, both reversible with the achievement of euthyroidism and associated with a good prognosis. We describe the case of a 44-year-old woman with right ventricular failure and moderate pulmonary hypertension in the setting of thyrotoxicosis, which resolved rapidly after antithyroid treatment. The potential mechanisms underlying this condition will also be discussed.

Distribution of Cerebrovascular Phenotypes According to Variants of the ENG and ACVRL1 Genes in Subjects with Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) is an autosomal dominant disorder caused, in more than 80% of cases, by mutations of either the endoglin (ENG) or the activin A receptor-like type 1 (ACVRL1) gene. Several hundred variants have been identified in these HHT-causing genes, including deletions, missense and nonsense mutations, splice defects, duplications, and insertions. In this study, we have analyzed retrospectively collected images of magnetic resonance angiographies (MRA) of the brain of HHT patients, followed at the HHT Center of our University Hospital, and looked for the distribution of cerebrovascular phenotypes according to specific gene variants. We found that cerebrovascular malformations were heterogeneous among HHT patients, with phenotypes that ranged from classical arteriovenous malformations (AVM) to intracranial aneurysms (IA), developmental venous anomalies (DVA), and cavernous angiomas (CA). There was also wide heterogeneity among the variants of the ENG and ACVRL1 genes, which included known pathogenic variants, variants of unknown significance, variants pending classification, and variants which had not been previously reported. The percentage of patients with cerebrovascular malformations was significantly higher among subjects with ENG variants than ACVRL1 variants (25.0% vs. 13.1%, p < 0.05). The prevalence of neurovascular anomalies was different among subjects with different gene variants, with an incidence that ranged from 3.3% among subjects with the c.1231C > T, c.200G > A, or c.1120C > T missense mutations of the ACVRL1 gene, to 75.0% among subjects with the c.1435C > T missense mutation of the ACVRL1 gene. Further studies and larger sample sizes are required to confirm these findings.

Prevalence of pulmonary embolism on hospital admission in COVID-19 patients: is there a role for pre-test probability scores and home treatment?

We read with interest the research letter recently authored by Jevnikaret al. [1] about the prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the time of hospital admission. In this prospective multicentre study, all consecutive adult outpatients that were hospitalised with a diagnosis of COVID-19 in three tertiary French hospitals between 15 April and 23 May 2020 underwent computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Only patients with contraindications to the examination (mainly due to contraindication for iodinated contrast administration) were excluded. The strength of this study is that it finally provides precise information regarding the actual prevalence of PE in hospitalised COVID-19 patients. Over the past year, we have been bombarded almost daily with a seemingly infinite amount of data on the increased rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in COVID-19 patients, but all the studies available so far had the insurmountable flaw that CTPA was performed only in a minority of cases and mainly in patients with clinical suspicion of PE [2]. Another flaw of such previous studies was that CTPA was performed at various time-points during hospitalisation and, therefore, it was not possible to establish whether PE was an actual complication of COVID-19 or a consequence of the hospitalisation itself. In this scenario, the report of Jevnikaret al. [1] finally allows us to claim with substantiation that the prevalence of PE is high even at time of hospital admission in patients with COVID-19.

Further confirmation that COVID-19 patients are at high risk of venous thromboembolismhttps://bit.ly/2OfPR5A