The impact of graduated compression stockings on calf-vein deformation and blood velocity in patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty

Objectives This study was designed to explore venous deformation of the lower extremities and the changes in venous hemodynamics in supine position before and after wearing graduated elastic stockings in patients awaiting total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Method The leg veins of 21 elderly patients awaiting TKA were imaged in the supine position with and without knee-length graduated compression stockings (GCS) according to a fixed protocol. Measured parameters including the lateromedial (LM) diameter, anteroposterior (AP) diameter, and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the great saphenous vein (GSV), gastrocnemius vein (GV), soleus vein (SV), posterior tibial vein (PTV), fibular vein (FV), and anterior tibial vein (ATV). In addition, the mean and maximum velocities of the popliteal vein (PV) and superficial femoral vein (FSV) were measured. Results GCS-related compression was observed for all the measured veins. Maximal reduction was observed for the GV and SV, whereas the GSV exhibited the lowest degree of GCS-related compression. The mean cross-sectional area reduction values associated with GCS were 33.1 ± 41.2 % for the GSV, 94.8 ± 11.1 % for the GV, and 85.6 ± 20.3 % for the SV, while the mean reduction of anteroposterior diameter was 18.1 ± 34.5 % for the GSV, 89.0 ± 22.5 % for the GV, and 72.9 ± 35.1 % for the SV, and the mean reduction of the lateromedial diameter was 25.9 ± 36.4 % for the GSV, 89.6 ± 19.6 % for the GV, 78.2 ± 28.3 % for the SV. No significant GCS-related changes in blood velocity in the superficial femoral veins or popliteal veins were detected. Conclusions For elderly patients awaiting TKA, knee-length GCS can significantly reduce calf vein dilation while at rest in the supine position, with the greatest reductions being observed for the soleus and gastrocnemius veins. These data might help provide a theoretical basis for the GCS in reducing incidence of deep vein thrombosis in patients undergoing TKA.

Calf Vein Thrombosis Comparison of Outcomes for Axial and Muscular Venous Thrombosis

Background The objective of this study was to characterize clinical features and outcomes among patients with calf deep vein thrombosis (DVT) limited to the muscular veins compared with axial veins. Methods Consecutive patients with ultrasound confirmed acute DVT involving the calf veins (January 1, 2016–August 1, 2018) were identified from the Gonda Vascular Center ultrasound database. Patients were divided into axial or muscular groups based on thrombus location. Demographics, management, and outcomes were compared. Results Over the study period, there were 647 patients with calf DVT equally distributed between axial (n = 321) and muscular (n = 326) locations. Within these groups, peroneal and soleal veins were most commonly involved. Nearly all cases were provoked (97%). Synchronous pulmonary embolism (PE) were more common for axial (30.8%) compared to muscular groups (20.2%; p = 0.001); nearly one-third had no pulmonary symptoms. Anticoagulation for a median of 3 months was initiated for 85.5% of both groups. Venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence was more common in the axial group (15.9% vs. 7.1%, p = 0.0015) including more frequent DVT propagation (9.4% vs. 3.1%; p = 0.0017) and PE (3.4% vs. 0.6%; p = 0.0168). Major bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, and mortality rates did not differ between groups. Withholding anticoagulation led to more frequent thrombus propagation in the axial group (3.4% vs. 0.9%; p = 0.029). Conclusion Several important features distinguish muscular from axial DVT. Axial DVT are more likely to have an associated PE and are more likely to experience recurrent VTE, particularly if anticoagulation is withheld.

Prostate Cancer-Associated Trousseau´S Syndrome Versus Asymptomatic Isolated Muscular Calf Vein Thrombosis as the Origin of Acute Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer patients have a four to sevenfold increased risk of VTE compared with non-cancer patients and approximately 20% -30% of all VTE occurs in patients with cancer. Incidence of VTE varies with cancer type and is the highest among patients with metastatic-stage disease. Assessing risk of VTE in the patients with cancer and risk stratification tools as the Khorana score may predict VTE. The highest risk is associated with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, brain, and lung and some hematologic malignancies, whereas lower risks are associated with breast and prostate cancer. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for prostate cancer is 3.25(2,56 - 4,13) and for pancreas 15.56 (10.50-23.0). We give a case report with a quite perplexing undertaking, where a submassive acute pulmonary embolism (PE) originated from an asymptomatic calf vein thrombosis or intertwined with the Trousseau´s syndrome. Essential Section: One of the authors (A.T) was unexpected faced with the diagnosis of poorly differentiated prostate cancer. There were no signs of the disease, the PSA level was normal. As a retired medical oncologist, he had to care for many patients with prostate cancer and had now to cope with this cancer. To make the matter worse he suffered after the radical prostatectomy a submassive asymptomatic pulmonary embolism. Clinically there were no signs if a deep venous thrombosis. The coincidence of both events without clinical signs of a thrombosis could be caused by the Trousseau´s syndrome. Prostasomes extracellular vesicles synthesizes by prostate cancer cells and secreted into body fluids are prothrombotic by virtue of the expression of polyphosphate-activated coagulation factor XII.

Cancer-Associated Thrombosis: Anatomic Distribution of the Index Event Is Not a Reliable Predictor of Recurrence Risk

Introduction: Cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) is a common complication of cancer, associated with significant morbidity and mortality. While incidence varies with cancer type, stage, chemotherapy, and other factors, estimates are that up to 20% of cancer patients will experience at least one venous thromboembolic (VTE) episode. VTE consist of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE), and there is a spectrum of vascular involvement. DVTs are classified as proximal (popliteal vein or above) and PE may be subsegmental, segmental, lobar, main, or saddle embolism. Our standard approach has been to treat all DVTs and all PEs in cancer patients, regardless of the size of the involved vessel. However, it is not clear if the risk of recurrent VTE in a patient with a "small" subsegmental PE, or a calf vein DVT, is comparable to that of an individual with a larger vascular involvement. In this study, we characterized the largest vessel involved in the initial VTE episode, and the relationship with recurrent VTE. Methods: All patients at MSKCC with CAT are monitored within an existing Quality Assessment initiative. From 1/1/2014 through 10/31/2016, 1072 patients with CAT were treated with rivaroxaban (Riva). (The overall outcomes of this cohort are the subject of a separate abstract.) In this study we compared the rate of recurrent VTE in patients with a distal (calf) DVT with proximal DVT, and PE. We designated the most proximal, or largest thrombosed vessel. As patients with a PE do not routinely undergo Doppler leg ultrasound, we are unable to differentiate PE with a DVT from those without. We also analyzed if the PE was unilateral or bilateral. We used competing risk endpoints for the purpose of this analysis, including recurrent VTE, major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major bleeding leading to discontinuation of Riva, and death. Results: In the Table, we present the data on the relationship of the initial VTE and the risk of recurrence. The majority of CAT events (55%) were PE. There were no significant differences in the rates of recurrent VTE between patients with a PE, a distal DVT or proximal DVT. Within patients with a PE as the index VTE event, there was no significant association between the risk of recurrent VTE and the size of the PE. A subsegmental PE as an index event was associated with a comparable rate of recurrent VTE when compared with segmental and more proximal vessel involvement. The only meaningful trend towards a higher rate of recurrent VTE was in patients whose index event was a bilateral PE, compared with unilateral, although this association did not reach statistical significance. Conclusions: The goal of this Quality Assessment initiative was to evaluate the risk of recurrent VTE in cancer patients to determine if distal DVT's or subsegmental PEs had a significantly lower rate of recurrence than other VTE episodes. Our analysis indicated that the risk of recurrent VTE is not related to the size of the index thrombosed vessel. Within PE, from large, proximal index events through to subsegmental PE, the risk of recurrent VTE is comparable. Similarly, there was only a trend towards lower risk of recurrent VTE in patients with an index distal DVT, versus proximal DVT. But this association was not statistically significant, with overlapping 95% confidence intervals. The one parameter that appeared to have the strongest prediction of recurrent VTE was patients with bilateral PE, versus unilateral. However, this too was only a trend, not statistically significant, and was not one of the parameters within our initial hypotheses. We were unable to identify any subgroup of index VTE, based on vessels involved, that had a significantly lower rate of recurrent VTE while on anticoagulation. Within cancer patients, a subsegmental PE or a distal, calf vein DVT are associated with a risk of recurrent VTE comparable to thrombosis of larger vessels. Table Table. Disclosures Soff: Janssen: Research Funding; Amgen: Research Funding. Mantha:Janssen: Research Funding; GLG: Consultancy; Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP: Consultancy.