VTE;

Is there an association between Covid-19 and subsequent development of hypertension?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Although far from definite, emerging evidence suggests that adults with recently diagnosed Covid-19 are at increased risk of newly-diagnosed hypertension following the acute infection.1-4

A retrospective cohort study involving a large national healthcare data base of the Department of Veterans Affairs found that, at a median follow-up of 126 days, Covid-19 survivors had an excess burden of newly-diagnosed hypertension (15/1000 patients) and were at higher risk of initiation of antihypertensive drugs compared to controls.2

Another retrospective cohort study involving over 80,000 adults 65 years or older (median follow-up 56 days) found an increased risk of newly-diagnosed hypertension (O.R. 4.4; 95% C.I. 2.27-6.37) in the Covid-19 group. 3  Even in a younger population (18-65 years of age), the same investigators found a significant increase (81%; 95% C.I. 10-196%) in the risk of newly diagnosed hypertension in the Covid-19 group compared to that of the control cohort. 4  

Despite the inherent limitations in these retrospective studies, a cause-and-effect relationship between Covid-19 and subsequent diagnosis of hypertension is plausible given the known affinity of SARS-CoV-2 for ACE2 receptors and endothelial cells. 5   Of interest, hyperreninemia associated with reduced glomerular filtration rate has been reported in some patients with Covid-19 requiring prolonged intensive care. 6

Bonus Pearl: Did you know that Covid-19 survivors have also been reported to have an increased risk of stroke, transient ischemic attack, ischemic heart disease, pericarditis, myocarditis, heart failure, dysrhythmia, and thromboembolic disease, independently of pre-existing hypertension and other cardiovascular risk factors? 7

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References

  1. Shibata S, Kobayashi K, Tanaka M, et al. Covid-19 pandemic and hypertension: an updated report from the Japanese Society of Hypertension project team on Covid-19. Hypertens Res 2022 Dec 23:1-12. COVID-19 pandemic and hypertension: an updated report from the Japanese Society of Hypertension project team on COVID-19 – PMC (nih.gov)
  2. Al-Aly Z, Xie Y, Bowe B. High-dimensional characterization of post-acute sequelae of Covid-19. Nature 2021;594:259-64. High-dimensional characterization of post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 – PubMed (nih.gov)
  3. Daugherty SE, Guo Y, Health K, et al. Risk of clinical sequelae after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study. BMJ 2021;373:n1098. Risk of clinical sequelae after the acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study | The BMJ
  4. Guney C, Akar F. Epithelial and endothelial expressions of ACE2:SARS-CoV-2 Entry Routes.  J Pharm Pharm Sci 2021;24:84-98 Epithelial and Endothelial Expressions of ACE2: SARS-CoV-2 Entry Routes – PubMed (nih.gov)
  5. Cohen K, Ren S, Health K, et al. Risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae among adults aged 65 years and older during the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study. BBMJ 2022;376:e068414. Risk of persistent and new clinical sequelae among adults aged 65 years and older during the post-acute phase of SARS-CoV-2 infection: retrospective cohort study – PubMed (nih.gov) 
  6. Hulstom M, von Seth M, Frithiof R. Hyperreninemia and low total body water may contribute to acute kidney injury in coronavirus disease 2019 patients in intensive care. J Hypertens 2020 May 28. Hyperreninemia and low total body water may contribute to acute kidney injury in corona virus disease 2019 patients in intensive care – PMC (nih.gov)
  7. Xie Y, Xu E, Bowe B, et al. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of Covid-19. Nat med 2022;28:583-90. Long-term cardiovascular outcomes of COVID-19 – PMC (nih.gov)

 

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Mercy Hospital-St. Louis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University, their affiliate academic healthcare centers, or its contributors. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

Is there an association between Covid-19 and subsequent development of hypertension?

What’s the connection between traumatic rib fractures and pulmonary embolism?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , Leave a comment

Pulmonary embolism (PE) may be a complication of traumatic rib fractures but not necessarily associated with the number of ribs involved.1,2 PE or venous thromboembolism (VTE) is likely related at least in part to the hypercoagulable state that often follows traumatic injury.3

Diagnosis of PE may be challenging because chest pain and shortness of breath attributed to rib fractures can also be a manifestation of PE. Nevertheless, we should consider PE in any patient with chest pain following rib fracture who has hypoxemia or has other risk factors for this complication (eg, obesity, hospitalization, malignancy, history of prior VTE, postoperative state, estrogen use, heart failure, COPD).4 In a retrospective study of 548 patients with traumatic rib fracture, 1.1% were diagnosed with PE.1 The true incidence of PE in patients with rib fracture is unclear, however.

Hypercoagulability following rib fracture likely contributes to the risk of PE. A prospective cohort study of patients admitted to ICU following trauma (97% blunt), found a high prevalence of hypercoagulability (62% on day 1 and 26% on day 4) based on thrombelastography analysis. Women were more hypercoagulable than men early after injury.  Among those classified as hypercoagulable, 10% developed VTE.3

Bonus Pearl: Did you know that in patients with blunt chest trauma, age >65 y and 3 or more rib fractures are associated with increased risk of mortality?

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References

  1. Sirmali M, Turut H, Topcu S, et al. A comprehensive analysis of traumatic rib fractures: morbidity, mortality and management. Eur J Cardio-Thoracic Surg 2003;24:133-138.
  2. Flagel BT, Luchette FA, Reed R, et al. Half-a-dozen ribs: The breakpoint for mortality. Surgery 2005;138:717-25.
  3. Schreiber MA, Differding J, Thorborg P, et al. Hypercoagulability is most prevalent early after injury and in female patients. J Trauma 2005;58:475-81.
  4. Belohlavek J, Vytrych V, Linhart A. Pulmonary embolism, part I: Epidemiology, risk factors and risk stratification, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism. Exp Clin Cardiol 2013;18:129-138.
  5. Battle CE, Hutchings H, Evans PA. Risk factors that predict mortality in patients with blunt chest wall trauma: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Injury 2012;43:8-17. 

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Mercy Hospital-St. Louis, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University, their affiliate academic healthcare centers, or its contributors. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

What’s the connection between traumatic rib fractures and pulmonary embolism?

Is my patient with varicose veins at higher risk of venous thromboembolism?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Although varicose veins are common and usually not associated with serious health complications, increasing scientific evidence suggests that they are associated with increased risk of subsequent incident deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). 1-3

A 2018 retrospective cohort study involving patients with the diagnosis of varicose veins and controls (>200,000 subjects each) based on claims data from Taiwan found a higher incidence rate of DVT among cases (hazard ratio [HR] 5.3, 95%C.I. 5.1-5.6). Increased risk of DVT with varicose veins was reported in all age groups but decreased with increasing age.  The HR was higher within the first year of the diagnosis of varicose veins. 1

In the same study, the incidence of PE was higher among participants with varicose veins (HR 1.7 95% C.I. 1.5-1.9).  Again, the association did not significantly differ by age.1  Other smaller studies have found similar association between DVT and varicose veins. 2,3

Although these studies at best demonstrate an association (not necessarily a cause and effect relationship) between varicose veins and venous thromboembolism, several possible explanations have been posited. Animal studies have demonstrated higher concentrations of macrophages, monocytes, neutrophils, lymphocytes, and matrix metalloproteinases in venous valves exposed to high pressure for prolonged periods.  The resultant inflammatory state in patients with varicose veins may in turn promote a prothrombotic state contributing to venous thromboembolism. 1,4

Bonus Pearl: Did you know that nearly 1 of 4  adults in the United States have been reported to have varicose veins?

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References

  1. Chang SL, Huang YL, Lee MC, et al. Association of varicose veins with incident venous thromboembolism and peripheral artery disease. JAMA 208;319:807-817. https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/2673551
  2. Muller-Buhl U, Leutgeb R, et al. Varicose veins are a risk factor for deep venous thrombosis in general practice patients. Vasa 2012;41:360-65. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22915533/
  3. Engbers MJ, Karasu A, Blom JW, et al. Clinical features of venous insufficiency and the risk of venous thrombosis in older people. Br J Haematol 2015;171:417-23. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26221838/
  4. Riva N, Donadini MP, Ageno W. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of venous thromboembolism: similarities with atherothrombosis and the role of inflammation. Thromb Haemost 2015;113:1176-1183. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25472800/

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Mercy Hospital-St. Louis or its affiliate healthcare centers, Mass General Hospital, Harvard Medical School or its affiliated institutions. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

Is my patient with varicose veins at higher risk of venous thromboembolism?

Is intermittent pneumatic compression effective in reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis in non-surgical hospitalized patients at high risk of major bleed?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

The weight of the evidence to date suggests that intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC) is effective in reducing the risk of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients with stroke. 1,2 Whether IPC is also effective in non-surgical hospitalized patients without stroke at high risk of DVT and major bleed needs further studies.

A 2013 multicenter randomized trial (CLOTS 3) involving over 2,000 immobile hospitalized patients post-stroke found a significantly lower risk of DVT in proximal veins or any symptomatic DVT in the proximal veins within 30 days of randomization (8.5% vs 12.1%; absolute reduction risk 3.6%, 95% C.I. 1.4-5.8). Of note, the rate of concurrent heparin or low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis was similar between the 2 groups (17%). 1

A meta-analysis including the CLOTS 3 study and 2 other smaller trials 2 in patients with stroke found a risk reduction for proximal DVT (O.R. 0.66, 95% C.I 0.52-0.84) with nearly significant reduction in deaths by the end of the treatment period (O.R. 0.81, 95% 0.65-1.01).1

Although IPC may also be effective in non-surgical hospitalized patients without stroke but at high risk of DVT and bleed, proper trials in this patient population is lacking. In fact, the 2012 American College of Chest Physicians guidelines on antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis classifies use of IPC in preventing DVT’s in non-surgical acutely ill hospitalized patients as category 2C recommendation (weak, low quality evidence). 3

The patient population and methodology of above studies should be distinguished from those of a 2019 published trial involving only critically ill patients—all receiving pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis—which reported no reduction in the incidence of proximal lower-limb DVT with the addition of IPC. 4

 

Bonus Pearl: Did you know that venous thromboembolism has been reported in up to 42% of hospitalized patients who have had a stroke? 1

 

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References

  1. Dennis M, Sandercock P, Reid J, et al. Effectiveness of intermittent pneumatic compression in reduction of risk of deep vein thrombosis in patients who have had a stroke (CLOTS 3): a multicenter randomized controlled trial. Lancet 2013;382:516-24. https://www.thelancet.com/cms/10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61050-8/attachment/1a0438d2-86eb-4da1-8bdb-92c0aec18b8d/mmc1.pdf
  2. Naccarato M, Chiodo Grandi F, Dennis M, et al. Physical methods for preventing deep vein thrombosis in stroke. Cochrance Database Syst Rev 2010;8:CD001922. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001922.pub3/full
  3. Guyatt GH, Akl EA, Crowther M, et al. Executive summary: Antithrombotic therapy and prevention of thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines. CHEST 2012;141 (suppl):7S-47S. http://www.sphcs.org/workfiles/CardiacVascular/7S-full.pdf
  4. Arabi YM, Al-Hameed F, Burns KEA, et al. Adjunctive intermittent pneumatic compression for venous thromboprophylaxis. N Engl J Med 2019;380:1305-15. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30779530/

 

 

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University, its affiliate academic healthcare centers, or its contributors. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

Is intermittent pneumatic compression effective in reducing the risk of deep vein thrombosis in non-surgical hospitalized patients at high risk of major bleed?

What’s the evidence that patients with Covid-19 are at high risk of blood clots?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 Comment

Although we often think of it as a respiratory disease, emerging evidence suggests that Covid-19, particularly when severe,  is also associated with high risk of thrombotic events, including pulmonary embolism, venous thrombosis, and arterial thrombotic events.1

A Chinese study found that ICU patients with severe Covid-19 had a venous thromboembolism (VTE) incidence of 25%, with disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) found in the majority of fatal cases.2

A prospective Dutch study involving critically ill ICU patients with Covid-19 reported VTE in 27% and arterial thrombotic events in another 3.7%, despite standard VTE prophylaxis.3 The authors suggested the use of “high prophylactic doses” of anticoagulants in these patients due to concern over hypercoagulability.

An ICU French study also found high frequency of thrombotic complications in Covid-19 patients with ARDS, with 11.7% of patients having pulmonary embolism vs 2.1% in non-Covid-19 patients with ARDS. As with the Dutch study, thrombotic complications occurred despite standard prophylactic anticoagulation.4

Postmortem studies have also shown marked changes in lung microvasculature with the presence of microthrombi, with some calling it “pulmonary intravascular coagulopathy” to distinguish it from DIC.1

A NEJM letter reported 5 Covid-19 patients less than 50 years of age who presented with large vessel stroke symptoms without an alternative explanation.5 Of interest, 2 of these patients had no other symptoms suggestive of Covid-19.  A pre-print article from China reported an acute stroke incidence of 5% in hospitalized patients with Covid-19.6

The finding of a hypercoagulable state in patients with severe Covid-19 is not surprising given the frequent association of this infection with a high inflammatory state and the well-known capability of SARS-CoV-2 to attack the endothelial surfaces of blood vessels. High inflammatory state can promote activation of blood coagulation through release of inflammatory cytokines (eg, IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-alpha).1

Perhaps even more intriguing is the finding of extremely high levels of factor VIII found in some Covid-19 patients which could make them hypercoagulable.7 This phenomenon should be suspected when a patient appears to be resistant to anticoagulation by heparin based on aPTT but not based on anti-Xa assay.7

 Bonus pearl: Did you know that the overall incidence of VTE is lowest among Asians-Pacific islanders, followed by Hispanics and Caucasians, with highest rate among African-Americans? 1 ,8

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References

  1. Fogarty H, Townsend L, Cheallaigh CN, et al. COVID-19 coagulopathy in Caucasian patients. Br J Haematol 2020, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/bjh.16749
  2. Cui S, Chen S, Li X, et al. Huang C, Wang Y, Li X, et al. Prevalence of venous thromboembolism in patients with severe novel coronavirus pneumonia. J Thromb Haematol 2020, April 9. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/jth.14830
  3. Klok FA, Kruip MJHA, van der Meer NJM, et al. Incidence of thrombotic complications in critically ill ICU patients with COVID-19. Thromb Res 2020. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0049384820301201?via%3Dihub
  4. Helms J, Tacquard C, Severac F, et al. High risk of thrombosis in patients in severe SARS-CoV-2 infection: a multicenter prospective cohort study. Intensive Care Med 2020; https://www.esicm.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/863_author_proof.pdf
  5. Oxley TJ, Mocco J, Majidie S, et al. Large-vessel stroke as a presenting feature of Covid-19 in the young. N Engl J Med. 2020, April 28. https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2009787?query=featured_home
  6. Li Y, Wang M. Acute cerebrovascular disease following COVID-19: A single center, retrospective, observational study. 2020. https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3550025
  7. Beun R, Kusadasi N, Sikma M, et al. Thromboembolic events and apparent heparin resistance in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Int J Lab Hematol 2020, April 20. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijlh.13230
  8. White RH, Keenan CR. Effects of race and ethnicity on the incidence of venous thromboembolism. Thromb Res 2009;123 Suppl 4:S11-S17. doi:10.1016/S0049-3848(09)70136-7

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University, its affiliate academic healthcare centers, or its contributors. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

What’s the evidence that patients with Covid-19 are at high risk of blood clots?

Should I consider a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for my patient with pancreatic cancer and pulmonary embolism?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Classically, anticoagulant (AC) of choice in active malignancy with venous thromboembolism (VTE) has been low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) (eg, enoxaparin) because of trials showing its superiority over warfarin. But now the pendulum is swinging toward DOACs as an alternative mode of treatment.

A 2018 trial found that oral edoxaban (an Xa inhibitor) was noninferior to subcutaneous dalteparin (a LMWH) with the composite outcome of recurrent VTE or major bleeding.1 Overall, recurrent VTE was significantly lower in edoxaban (7.9% vs 11.3%) but had higher major bleeding (6.9% vs 4.05). Of note, edoxaban was initiated after 5 days of treatment with LMWH.

More recently, the 2020 Caravaggio trial, showed non-inferiority of apixaban (at a dose of 10 mg twice daily for the first 7 days, followed by 5 mg twice daily) to dalteparin with recurrent VTE of 5.6% in the apixaban group vs 7.9% in the dalteparin.2 There was no significant difference in rates of major bleeding (3.8% vs 4%). A prior small study, the ADAM-VTE trial, compared apixaban to dalteparin in patients with malignancy and VTE.3 Apixaban had significantly lower VTE recurrence rates (0.7% to 6.3%) and non-significant lower major bleeding (0% vs 1.4%, p=0.138) consistent with the newer and larger trial. Of note, this trial excluded patients with brain tumor and had few patients with upper GI or hematologic malignancy.  

In addition, a pilot study, the SELECT-D trial, compared rivaroxaban to dalteparin.4 Rivaroxaban had significantly lower VTE recurrence (4% vs 11%), without a significant increase in major bleeding (6% vs 4%), but had an increased number of clinically relevant non-major bleeds (13% vs 4%), particularly in cancers of the upper GI tract.

Although decision regarding use of DOACs in patients with malignancy should be made on case-by-case basis, they are increasingly considered for treatment of VTE in this patient population with the strongest evidence supporting apixaban or the initial use of LMWH for 5 days followed by edoxaban.  

Contributed by Sean Mendez MD, Mass General Hospital, Boston, MA.

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References:  

  1. Raskob GE, van Es N, Verhamme P, Carrier M, Di Nisio M, Garcia D, Grosso MA, Kakkar AK, Kovacs MJ, Mercuri MF, Meyer G, Segers A, Shi M, Wang TF, Yeo E, Zhang G, Zwicker JI, Weitz JI, Büller HR. Edoxaban for the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism. N Engl J Med. 2018 Feb 15;378(7):615-624. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1711948. Epub 2017 Dec 12. PubMed PMID: 29231094.
  2. McBane Ii R, Loprinzi CL, Ashrani A, Perez-Botero J, Leon Ferre RA, Henkin S, Lenz CJ, Le-Rademacher JG, Wysokinski WE. Apixaban and dalteparin in active malignancy associated venous thromboembolism. The ADAM VTE Trial. Thromb Haemost. 2017 Oct 5;117(10):1952-1961. doi: 10.1160/TH17-03-0193. Epub 2017 Aug 24. PubMed PMID: 28837207.
  3. Agnelli G, Becattini C, Meyer G, Muñoz A, Huisman MV, Connors JM, Cohen A, Bauersachs R, Brenner B, Torbicki A, Sueiro MR, Lambert C, Gussoni G, Campanini M, Fontanella A, Vescovo G, Verso M. Apixaban for the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Cancer. N Engl J Med. 2020 Mar 29;. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1915103. [Epub ahead of print] PubMed PMID: 32223112.
  4. Young AM, Marshall A, Thirlwall J, Chapman O, Lokare A, Hill C, Hale D, Dunn JA, Lyman GH, Hutchinson C, MacCallum P, Kakkar A, Hobbs FDR, Petrou S, Dale J, Poole CJ, Maraveyas A, Levine M. Comparison of an Oral Factor Xa Inhibitor With Low Molecular Weight Heparin in Patients With Cancer With Venous Thromboembolism: Results of a Randomized Trial (SELECT-D). J Clin Oncol. 2018 Jul 10;36(20):2017-2023. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2018.78.8034. Epub 2018 May 10. PubMed PMID: 29746227.

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University, its affiliate academic healthcare centers, or its contributors. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

Should I consider a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) for my patient with pancreatic cancer and pulmonary embolism?

My bed-bound, debilitated patient is being transferred to a long-term facility (LTF). Should I continue the venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis she has been receiving in the hospital?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

There are no randomized-controlled studies that examine the effectiveness of VTE prophylaxis in debilitated patients following discharge from the hospital, and currently  the literature does not recommend prophylaxis for chronic immobility as a single risk factor for VTE (1). However, given the expected morbidity, potential mortality and hospital readmission associated with VTE,  prophylaxis should be considered in residents of LTFs with the following comorbidities (2):

  • Acute exacerbation of congestive heart failure
  • Acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
  • Acute infection (e. g. pneumonia, urosepsis, skin and soft tissue infections, infectious diarrhea)
  • Acute exacerbation of inflammatory/autoimmune diseases
  • Active malignancy
  • Immobility and prior VTE

 

Unless contraindicated, patients should receive prophylactic doses of unfractionated heparin, enoxaparin, or other approved drugs. Mechanical VTE prophylaxis should be used only when the risk of bleeding is considered unacceptably high or when there are drug intolerances or adverse effects.

The need for VTE prophylaxis should be reassessed regularly taking into account patient’s overall health status, mobility, drug tolerance and goals of care.

 

References

  1. Pai M, Douketis JD. Preventing venous thromboembolism in long-term care residents: Cautious advice based on limited data. Cleveland Clin J Med 2010;77: 123-130.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20124270    
  2. Robinson Am. Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis for chronically immobilized long-term care residents. Ann Long-Term Care 2013;10:30. https://www.managedhealthcareconnect.com/article/venous-thromboembolism-prophylaxis-chronically-immobilized-long-term-care-residents
My bed-bound, debilitated patient is being transferred to a long-term facility (LTF). Should I continue the venous thromboembolism (VTE) prophylaxis she has been receiving in the hospital?

What is the role of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients who undergo hip or knee arthroplasties?

FA Manian MD, MPH, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

DOACs (eg, rivaroxaban, apixaban,and dabigatran) are increasingly considered for use after hip and knee arthroplasties due to their demonstrated efficacy against VTE prophylaxis and an acceptable safety profile. 

In a meta-analysis involving 16 trials in over 38,000 patients, when compared to enoxaparin, the risk of symptomatic VTE appeared to be significantly lower with rivaroxaban (relative risk 0.48, 95% C.I. 0.3-0.75), and similar with dabigatran and apixaban (1).

In the same study, compared to enoxaparin, the relative risk of clinically relevant bleeding was significantly higher with rivaroxaban (1.25, 95% C.I. 1.1-1.5), similar with dabigatran , but lower with apixaban (0.82, 95% C.I. 0.7-0.98) (1). The authors concluded that new anticoagulants did not differ significantly for efficacy and safety.

Of course, the decision to use a DOAC vs enoxaparin should be made on an individual basis taking into account a variety of factors,  such as patient preferences, cost, comorbidities, patient compliance with medications, etc…  

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 Reference

1.  Gomez-Outes, Suarez-Gea L, Vargas-Castrillon E.  Dabigatran, rivaroxaban, or apixaban versus enoxaparin for thromboprophylaxis after total hip or knee replacement: systematic review, meta-analysis, and indirect treatment. BMJ 2012;344:e3675. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22700784/ 

 

Disclosures: The listed questions and answers are solely the responsibility of the author and do not necessarily represent the official views of Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Catalyst, Harvard University, its affiliate academic healthcare centers, or its contributors. Although every effort has been made to provide accurate information, the author is far from being perfect. The reader is urged to verify the content of the material with other sources as deemed appropriate and exercise clinical judgment in the interpretation and application of the information provided herein. No responsibility for an adverse outcome or guarantees for a favorable clinical result is assumed by the author. Thank you!

What is the role of direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) agents in preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients who undergo hip or knee arthroplasties?