Endogenous Thrombin Potential (ETP) for Assessing the Risk of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism.
Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a multifactorial chronic disease. The number and severity of risk factors determine the risk of recurrence. A laboratory method that measures the overall thrombophilia is required. In a prospective cohort study, we measured ETP in 778 patients with a first unprovoked VTE. Patients were followed after discontinuation of anticoagulants for an average of 49 months. The study endpoint was recurrent symptomatic VTE. ETP was determined by a commercially available (research use only) assay (Dade Behring, Marburg, Germany) in platelet poor plasma by use of a chromogenic substrate and automatic registration as well as computer assisted calculation of thrombin generation over time. Patients with recurrence had higher ETP than those without recurrence (104.2% ± 15.4% vs. 101.4% ±14.2%. Patients with ETP ≥ 100% had an almost two-fold higher relative risk (RR) of recurrence than patients with lower levels (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0 – 2.5). At 4 years, the cumulative probability of recurrence was 14.4% in patients with ETP ≥ 100% and 6.1% in those with lower levels (p = 0.05). Patients with ETP ≥ 100% had higher clotting factor levels (Table). ETP was significantly increased in heterozygous carriers of factor II G20210A as compared with patients with wild type factor II (128% ± 18% vs. 100 ± 12%, p < 0.001). Patients with a first unprovoked VTE and an ETP ≥ 100% have an increased risk of recurrence. Table Characteristics of 778 Patients with VTE ETP < 100% ETP ≥ 100% p-value Men, no. (%) 160 (42%) 174 (44%) n.s. Age at first VTE (yrs) 46 ± 17 47 ± 14 n.s. Factor V Leiden, no. (%) 124 (32%) 108 (28%) n.s. Factor II G20210A, no. (%) 4 (1%) 49 (13%) < 0.001 Factor VIII (IU/dL) 162 ± 46 168 ± 45 0.09 Factor IX (IU/dL) 113 ± 24 123 ± 27 < 0.001 Factor XI (IU/dL) 102 ± 21 110 ± 24 < 0.001