Should the presence of an antiphospholipid antibody affect the duration of anticoagulant treatment in patients with venous thromboembolism?

Hematology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
pp. 681-683 ◽  
Author(s):  
David A. Garcia ◽  
Wendy Lim

Abstract A 44-year-old otherwise healthy woman has completed 3 months of anticoagulation therapy for a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism. At the time of diagnosis and before the initiation of anticoagulation, she was found to have an elevated IgG anticardiolipin antibody (ACLA), which was measured at 42 IgG phospholipid (GPL) units (reference range, < 15 GPL units) with negative lupus anticoagulant (LAC) testing. Should this laboratory finding affect the recommended duration of anticoagulant therapy?

Hematology ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 (1) ◽  
pp. 471-477 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giancarlo Agnelli ◽  
Cecilia Becattini

Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has a variable recurrence rate after the discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment. Therefore, the duration of anticoagulation therapy after a first VTE should be tailored to the estimated risk for recurrence. Anticoagulant therapy should be discontinued after the initial 3 to 6 months in those patients who had the first episode in association with temporary risk factors. The duration of anticoagulant therapy in patients who had a first episode of cancer-associated VTE should be reassessed over time based on the persistence of cancer and anticancer therapy. After 3 to 6 months of anticoagulant treatment for VTE, patients with a first unprovoked event and an estimated low risk for bleeding complications should be evaluated for indefinite treatment on an individualized basis. New oral anticoagulants have been evaluated for the extended treatment of VTE. Large phase 3 studies have shown that dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban are effective and safe in this indication. These agents do not require monitoring for dose adjustment and could make extended treatment more feasible and acceptable to patients.


Hematology ◽  
2008 ◽  
Vol 2008 (1) ◽  
pp. 252-258 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henri Bounameaux ◽  
Arnaud Perrier

Abstract Treatment of acute deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism-often denominated together as venous thromboembolism (VTE)- consists of parenteral administration of heparin (usually low-molecular-weight heparin or alternatively unfractionated heparin or fondaparinux) overlapped and followed by oral vitamin K antagonists that are administered for a certain period (usually 3 to 12 months). Recommended or suggested durations differ according to guidelines. Practically, the clinical decision in an individual patient depends upon the estimated risks of VTE recurrence and treatment-induced bleeding. The risk of VTE recurrence is higher in idiopathic events (about 10% per year during the first two years and 3% per year thereafter) (odds ratio of 2.4, compared to secondary events); in male subjects (at least before the age of 60, with an odds ratio of 2–4); in patients with persistently elevated D-dimer level (odds ratio of 2.3, compared with normal level); and during the first two years after discontinuation of treatment. The annual risk of major bleeding on anticoagulant treatment vary largely in observational studies with figures of 2% to 29%, depending on the patient characteristics. The case-fatality rate is 8% (DVT), 12% (PE) for recurrent VTE, and about 10% for major bleed. These figures do not support long-term anticoagulant therapy, except in those patients exhibiting a very high risk of recurrence and/or a very low risk of bleeding. New therapeutic aspects might impact on the duration of anticoagulant therapy after a venous thromboembolic event. They include the possibility of pursuing anticoagulant treatment at a reduced INR after an initial period with an INR 2-3, and the advent of new, more specific and orally active anticoagulants. These features might modify the risk-benefit balance of extending anticoagulant therapy beyond the usual, limited duration.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 348-366
Author(s):  
G. G. Taradin ◽  
G. A. Ignatenko ◽  
N. T. Vatutin ◽  
I. V. Kanisheva

The presented review concerns contemporary views on specific aspects of anticoagulant and thrombolytic treatment of venous thromboembolism and mostly of acute pulmonary embolism. Modern classifications of patients with acute pulmonary embolism, based on early mortality risk and severity of thromboembolic event, are reproduced. The importance of multidisciplinary approach to the management of patients with pulmonary embolism with the assistance of cardiologist, intensive care specialist, pulmonologist, thoracic and cardiovascular surgeon, aimed at the management of pulmonary embolism at all stages: from clinical suspicion to the selection and performing of any medical intervention, is emphasized. Anticoagulant treatment with the demonstration of results of major trials, devoted to efficacy and safety evaluation of anticoagulants, is highlighted in details. Moreover, characteristics, basic dosage and dosage scheme of direct (new) oral anticoagulants, including apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, edoxaban and betrixaban are described in the article. In particular, the management of patients with bleeding complications of anticoagulant treatment and its application in cancer patients, who often have venous thromboembolism, is described. Additionally, modern approaches to systemic thrombolysis with intravenous streptokinase, urokinase and tissue plasminogen activators are presented in this review. The indications, contraindications, results of clinical trials devoted to various regimens of thrombolytic therapy, including treatment of pulmonary embolism by lower doses of fibrinolytic agents, are described.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
metin kaya gürgöze ◽  
Aslıhan Kara ◽  
Mehmet yusuf sarı ◽  
İlknur Çalık ◽  
Saadet Akarsu

Abstract Background: Although pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) -like lesions have been rarely described in adults with the antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), the occurrence of PG as a preceding manifestation of APS in children with SLE has not been reported until. We present a young girl with SLE and APS who developed progressive extstensive ulcerations that were consistent with PG.Case presentation: A 14-year-old girl with a 2-year history of SLE was admitted to our department, complaining painful crusted ulcerations on her legs. Skin biopsy was reported as PG. However, she did not respond to immunosuppressive therapy administered. When her skin biopsy findings is reassessed in keeping with the positive anticardiolipin antibody results, superficial small vessel microthrombosis was observed. Diagnosis of APS and PG developing secondary to SLE were made. It was resulted in marked clinical improvement with anticoagulation therapy in addition to immunosuppressives as is recommended in APS. Conclusions: Based in clinical, pathological and response to proposed treatment, we can state that PG -like lesions in children with SLE could be considered as a secondary form of APS.


2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 806-812 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah M Anderson ◽  
Bradley Beck ◽  
Susan Sterud ◽  
Robin Lockhorst ◽  
Surachat Ngorsuraches

Background Lenalidomide and pomalidomide are two immunomodulatory medications with the potential to improve outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma; however, a black box warning for venous thromboembolism exists. Purpose The purpose of this study was to assess overall adherence to guideline recommendations for anticoagulation therapy with lenalidomide and pomalidomide in multiple myeloma patients. Methods This retrospective study at an ambulatory oncology clinic utilized chart reviews from the calendar years 2013–2016. The primary endpoint was prescription of appropriate anticoagulation upon initiation of therapy based on a list of predetermined risk factors. Secondary endpoints included incidence of deep venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, and major bleed; initial anticoagulant prescribed; and whether or not anticoagulation was prescribed for another disease state. Results A total of 130 patients met inclusion criteria: 70.8% (n = 92) and 29.2% (n = 38) were prescribed lenalidomide and pomalidomide, respectively. A total risk score of two was most common (n = 54, 41.5%). Aspirin 81 mg oral tablet was prescribed most often (n = 53, 40.8%), followed by no anticoagulation (n = 30, 23.1%). Overall, 27 patients (20.8%) were prescribed anticoagulation in accordance with National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. Incidence of deep venous thromboembolism was the most common adverse event (n = 4, 3.1%), followed by major bleed (n = 1, 0.8%). No reports of pulmonary embolism, myocardial infarction, or stroke were documented. Conclusions Overall, a disparity exists between appropriate prescribing of prophylactic anticoagulation and current practice guidelines. However, documentation of thromboembolic events was lower than recorded in previously published literature.


2010 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susan E. Conway ◽  
Todd R. Marcy

Clinical practice guidelines currently suggest extended anticoagulation therapy for primary and secondary prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The optimal duration of anticoagulation has been an active area of clinical investigation for patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries and those diagnosed with a first episode of unprovoked VTE. Practice guidelines, VTE incidence, clinical predictors/mediators, and clinical trial evidence is reviewed to help pharmacists and other health care providers make an informed, patient-specific decision on the optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy. Extended anticoagulation up to 5 weeks following orthopedic surgery for primary VTE prevention and indefinitely following a first episode of unprovoked VTE for secondary VTE prevention should be considered only if the risk of bleeding is not high and the cost and burden of anticoagulation is acceptable to the patient. The optimal duration of anticoagulation therapy for primary or secondary prevention of VTE should include the health care provider and patient making a decision based on evaluation of individual benefits, risks, and preferences.


2017 ◽  
Vol 49 (5) ◽  
pp. 1601980 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raffaele Pesavento ◽  
Lucia Filippi ◽  
Antonio Palla ◽  
Adriana Visonà ◽  
Carlo Bova ◽  
...  

The impact of residual pulmonary obstruction on the outcome of patients with pulmonary embolism is uncertain.We recruited 647 consecutive symptomatic patients with a first episode of pulmonary embolism, with or without concomitant deep venous thrombosis. They received conventional anticoagulation, were assessed for residual pulmonary obstruction through perfusion lung scanning after 6 months and then were followed up for up to 3 years. Recurrent venous thromboembolism and chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension were assessed according to widely accepted criteria.Residual pulmonary obstruction was detected in 324 patients (50.1%, 95% CI 46.2–54.0%). Patients with residual pulmonary obstruction were more likely to be older and to have an unprovoked episode. After a 3-year follow-up, recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension developed in 34 out of the 324 patients (10.5%) with residual pulmonary obstruction and in 15 out of the 323 patients (4.6%) without residual pulmonary obstruction, leading to an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.26 (95% CI 1.23–4.16).Residual pulmonary obstruction, as detected with perfusion lung scanning at 6 months after a first episode of pulmonary embolism, is an independent predictor of recurrent venous thromboembolism and/or chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y Yamashita ◽  
T Morimoto ◽  
T Makiyama ◽  
K Ono ◽  
T Kimura

Abstract Background/Introduction The medical systems of hospitals often differs between on weekends and weekdays. These differences could lead different clinical outcomes for patients with acute medical conditions that require complex treatment strategies. However, the effect of the time of diagnosis on clinical outcomes in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), including pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombosis (DVT), is still controversial. Purpose We sought to evaluate the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with VTE comparing on weekends and weekdays in a large observational database of VTE in Japan. Methods The COMMAND VTE Registry is a multicenter registry enrolling 3027 consecutive patients with acute symptomatic VTE objectively confirmed by imaging examination or by autopsy among 29 centers in Japan between January 2010 and August 2014. In the current analysis, diagnosis on weekends was defined as diagnosis during the period from 00:00 hours on Saturday to 24:00 on Sunday. All other times were defined as weekdays. We divided the entire cohort into 2 groups; diagnosis on weekends and diagnosis on weekdays groups, and we compared the clinical characteristics, management strategies and 30-day outcomes between the 2 groups. Results The current study population consisted of 337 patients diagnosed on weekends and 2690 patients diagnosed on weekdays. The median days from onset to diagnosis were shorter in the patients diagnosed on weekends than in those diagnosed on weekdays (2 days vs. 4 days, P&lt;0.001). The patients diagnosed on weekends presented with PE more frequently (72% vs. 55%, P&lt;0.001), and they showed more severe condition for PE with a higher simplified pulmonary embolism severity index score. The vast majority of PE patients were diagnosed by contrast-enhanced computed tomography in both groups (97% vs. 97%, P=0.67). The patients diagnosed on weekends more often received initial parenteral anticoagulation therapy and thrombolysis than those diagnosed on weekdays. The cumulative 30-day incidence of all-cause death was not significantly different between the 2 groups among PE patients (diagnosis on weekends: 6.2% vs. diagnosis on weekdays: 6.5%, P=0.87), as well as among DVT patients (0.0% vs. 1.5%, P=0.24) (Figure). After adjusting the confounders, the risk of diagnosis on weekends relative to diagnosis on weekdays for all-cause death among PE patients was still insignificant (adjusted HR: 0.76; 95% CI: 0.42–1.28). The most frequent cause of deaths was fatal PE in both groups among PE patients. The risks for recurrent VTE and major bleeding at 30 days were not significantly different between the 2 groups among PE patients nor DVT patients. Conclusions The VTE patients diagnosed on weekends presented with PE more frequently, and they showed more severe condition for PE, although the risks for short-term mortality were not significantly different between patients diagnosed on weekends and weekdays. Kaplan-Meier curves for all-cause death Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Research Institute for Production Development, Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation


2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn L. Butler ◽  
George Velmahos

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas in the intensive care unit (ICU). Immobility, inflammatory states, and trauma uniquely predispose surgical ICU patients to deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Concurrently, the risks of perioperative and traumatic bleeding complicate management of VTE, with anticoagulation contraindicated in many scenarios. This review surveys the latest evidence in the diagnosis and management of VTE among critically ill surgical patients. It discusses evidence-based guidelines regarding diagnostic imaging, anticoagulation, prophylaxis, inferior vena cava filters, non–vitamin K oral anticoagulants, and surgical and catheter-based therapies. The review also examines the special challenges encountered when treating multisystem trauma patients.  Key words: anticoagulation therapy, deep vein thrombosis, pharmacoprophylaxis, pulmonary embolism, venous thromboembolism  


Hematology ◽  
2004 ◽  
Vol 2004 (1) ◽  
pp. 424-438 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey I. Weitz ◽  
Saskia Middeldorp ◽  
William Geerts ◽  
John A. Heit

Abstract Venous thromboembolism, which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is the result of an imbalance among procoagulant, anticoagulant and profibrinolytic processes. This imbalance reflects a complex interplay between genetic and environmental or acquired risk factors. Genetic thrombophilic defects influence the risk of a first episode of thrombosis. How these defects influence the risk of recurrence in patients whose first episode of venous thromboembolism was unprovoked is less certain. Thus, when anticoagulants are stopped, patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism have a risk of recurrence of at least 7% to 10% per year, even in the absence of an underlying thrombophilic defect. Consequently, there is a trend toward longer durations of anticoagulation therapy for these patients, which is problematic given the limitation of existing anticoagulants. This chapter provides an overview of the thrombophilic defects and how they influence the risk of venous thromboembolism. The chapter also details advances in anticoagulant therapy, focusing on new inhibitors of factor Xa and thrombin. In Section I, Dr. Saskia Middeldorp describes the various thrombophilic defects and reviews their relative importance in the pathogenesis of a first episode of venous thromboembolism. She then discusses the influence of these defects on the risk of recurrent thrombotic events in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism and in those whose thrombosis occurred in association with a known risk factor, such as surgery. In Section II, Dr. William Geerts reviews the pharmacology of new parenteral and oral factor Xa inhibitors and describes the results of the Phase II and III clinical trials with these agents. He then provides perspective on the potential advantages and drawbacks of these drugs for the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism. In Section III, Dr. John Heit focuses on direct thrombin inhibitors. He discusses their mechanism of action and compares and contrasts their pharmacological profiles prior to describing the results of Phase II and III clinical trials. Dr. Heit then provides perspective on the potential advantages and limitations of these drugs relative to existing anticoagulants.


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