ABSTRACT

In the context of a significant increase in obesity rates, quantifying the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) is an essential component of accurate clinical risk assessment. This observational study is the first to explore this association by clinician-defined cause of the PE. We demonstrate that the association between BMI and PE is driven by patients with otherwise 'unprovoked' PE where there is a strong positive correlation with odds ratios equivalent to well-recognised major risk factors such as cancer, pregnancy and surgery. We make a case for the inclusion of BMI in risk-prediction tools.

PMID:37306131 | DOI:10.52964/AMJA.0937

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy, reasons for interrupting treatment: a systematic review of the literature

Pleura Peritoneum. 2023 Apr 19;8(2):45-53. doi: 10.1515/pp-2023-0004. eCollection 2023 Jun.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: Pressurized intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy (PIPAC) gives encouraging results in the treatment of peritoneal metastasis (PM). The current recommendations require at least 3 sessions of PIPAC. However, some patients do not complete the full treatment course and stop after only 1 or 2 procedures, hence the limited benefit. A literature review was performed, with search terms including "PIPAC" and "pressurised intraperitoneal aerosol chemotherapy."

CONTENT: Only articles describing the causes for premature termination of the PIPAC treatment were analysed. The systematic search identified 26 published clinical articles related to PIPAC and reporting causes for stopping PIPAC.

SUMMARY: The series range from 11 to 144 patients, with a total of 1352 patients treated with PIPAC for various tumours. A total of 3088 PIPAC treatments were performed. The median number of PIPAC treatments per patient was 2.1, the median PCI score at the time of the first PIPAC was 19 and the number of patients who did not complete the recommended 3 sessions of PIPAC was 714 (52.8%). Disease progression was the main reason for early termination of the PIPAC treatment (49.1%). The other causes were death, patients' wishes, adverse events, conversion to curative cytoreductive surgery and other medical reasons (embolism, pulmonary infection, etc…).

OUTLOOK: Further investigations are necessary to better understand the causes for interrupting PIPAC treatment and also improving the selection of patients who are most likely to benefit from PIPAC.

PMID:37304159 | PMC:PMC10249753 | DOI:10.1515/pp-2023-0004

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Risk of admission to hospital with arterial or venous thromboembolism among patients diagnosed in the ambulatory setting with covid-19 compared with influenza: retrospective cohort study

BMJ Med. 2023 Jun 6;2(1):e000421. doi: 10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000421. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To measure the 90 day risk of arterial thromboembolism and venous thromboembolism among patients diagnosed with covid-19 in the ambulatory (ie, outpatient, emergency department, or institutional) setting during periods before and during covid-19 vaccine availability and compare results to patients with ambulatory diagnosed influenza.

DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING: Four integrated health systems and two national health insurers in the US Food and Drug Administration's Sentinel System.

PARTICIPANTS: Patients with ambulatory diagnosed covid-19 when vaccines were unavailable in the US (period 1, 1 April-30 November 2020; n=272 065) and when vaccines were available in the US (period 2, 1 December 2020-31 May 2021; n=342 103), and patients with ambulatory diagnosed influenza (1 October 2018-30 April 2019; n=118 618).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Arterial thromboembolism (hospital diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke) and venous thromboembolism (hospital diagnosis of acute deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism) within 90 days after ambulatory covid-19 or influenza diagnosis. We developed propensity scores to account for differences between the cohorts and used weighted Cox regression to estimate adjusted hazard ratios of outcomes with 95% confidence intervals for covid-19 during periods 1 and 2 versus influenza.

RESULTS: 90 day absolute risk of arterial thromboembolism with covid-19 was 1.01% (95% confidence interval 0.97% to 1.05%) during period 1, 1.06% (1.03% to 1.10%) during period 2, and with influenza was 0.45% (0.41% to 0.49%). The risk of arterial thromboembolism was higher for patients with covid-19 during period 1 (adjusted hazard ratio 1.53 (95% confidence interval 1.38 to 1.69)) and period 2 (1.69 (1.53 to 1.86)) than for patients with influenza. 90 day absolute risk of venous thromboembolism with covid-19 was 0.73% (0.70% to 0.77%) during period 1, 0.88% (0.84 to 0.91%) during period 2, and with influenza was 0.18% (0.16% to 0.21%). Risk of venous thromboembolism was higher with covid-19 during period 1 (adjusted hazard ratio 2.86 (2.46 to 3.32)) and period 2 (3.56 (3.08 to 4.12)) than with influenza.

CONCLUSIONS: Patients diagnosed with covid-19 in the ambulatory setting had a higher 90 day risk of admission to hospital with arterial thromboembolism and venous thromboembolism both before and after covid-19 vaccine availability compared with patients with influenza.

PMID:37303490 | PMC:PMC10254785 | DOI:10.1136/bmjmed-2022-000421

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Plasma thiol levels and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene c.665C > T and c.1286A > C variants affect fibrin clot properties in Polish venous thromboembolic patients

Mol Genet Metab. 2023 Jun 2;139(3):107623. doi: 10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107623. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Aminothiols, including cysteine (Cys) and glutathione (GSH) in relation to fibrin clot phenotype were not investigated in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants. We aimed to explore the associations between MTHFR variants and plasma oxidative stress indicators including aminothiols as well as fibrin clot properties with plasma oxidative status and fibrin clot properties in this group of patients.

METHODS: In 387 VTE patients the MTHFR c.665C > T and c.1286A > C variants were genotyped, together with chromatographic separation of plasma thiols. We also determined nitrotyrosine levels and fibrin clot properties, including clot permeability (Ks), lysis time (CLT), and fibrin fibers thickness.

RESULTS: There were 193 patients with MTHFR c.665C > T (49.9%) and 214 (55.3%) with c.1286A > C variants. Both allele carriers with total homocysteine (tHcy) levels >15 μM (n = 71, 18.3%), compared to patients with tHcy ≤15 μM had 11.5% and 12.5% higher Cys levels, 20.6% and 34.3% higher GSH levels as well as 28.1% and 57.4% increased nitrotyrosine levels, respectively (all P < 0.05). The MTHFR c.665C > T carriers with tHcy levels >15 μM compared to tHcy ≤15 μM had 39.4% reduced Ks and 9% reduced fibrin fibers thickness (both P < 0.05) with no differences in CLT. In the MTHFR c.1286A > C carriers with tHcy levels >15 μM, Ks was decreased by 44.5%, CLT prolonged by 46.1%, and fibrin fibers thickness was reduced by 14.5% compared to patients with tHcy ≤15 μM (all P < 0.05). Nitrotyrosine levels in MTHFR variants carriers correlated with Ks (r = -0.38, P < 0.05) and fibrin fibers diameter (r = -0.50, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that patients with MTHFR variants and tHcy >15 μM are characterized by elevated Cys and nitrotyrosine levels associated with prothrombotic fibrin clot properties.

PMID:37302269 | DOI:10.1016/j.ymgme.2023.107623

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Adult breast, lung, pancreatic, upper and lower gastrointestinal cancer patients with hospitalized venous thromboembolism in the national French hospital discharge database

BMC Cancer. 2023 Jun 10;23(1):531. doi: 10.1186/s12885-023-10877-4.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and cancer are strongly associated. In France, evidence on patients with pancreatic, upper GI [gastrointestinal], lower GI, lung, or breast cancer-associated VTE and their hospital management is limited. The aims of this study were to provide data on the number of hospitalized VTE events among cancer patients, the patients' characteristics, and their hospital management to estimate the burden of disease and the hospital burden of cancer-related VTE and to provide guidance on research.

METHODS: This longitudinal, observational, and retrospective study was based on the comprehensive hospital discharge database (PMSI). Adult patients (≥ 18 years old) hospitalized with a cancer of interest in 2016 and hospitalized (within 2 years with VTE (captured a as a principal, related, or significant associated diagnosis) were included in the study.

RESULTS: We identified 340,946 cancer patients, of which 7.2% (24,433 patients) were hospitalized with VTE. The proportions of hospitalized VTE were 14.6% (3,237) for patients with pancreatic cancer, 11.2% (8,339) for lung cancer, 9.9% (2,232) for upper GI cancer, 6.7% (7,011) for lower GI cancer, and 3.1% (3,614) for breast cancer. Around two thirds of cancer patients with a hospitalized VTE had active cancer (with metastases and/or receiving chemotherapy during the six months prior to the index date): from 62% of patients with pancreatic cancer to 72% with breast cancer. Around a third of patients were admitted to the hospital through the emergency room, up to 3% of patients stayed in an intensive care unit. The average length of stay ranged from 10 (breast cancer) to 15 days (upper GI cancer). Nine (lower GI cancer) to 18% (pancreatic cancer) of patients died during the VTE hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS: The burden of cancer-associated VTE is substantial, both in terms of the number of patients affected and in the hospital use. These findings offer guidance on future research on VTE prophylaxis in a very high-risk population, particularly in patients with active cancer.

PMID:37301828 | DOI:10.1186/s12885-023-10877-4

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Validation of the CoVID-TE model as a tool to predict thrombosis, bleeding, and mortality in the oncology patient with Sars-Cov-2 infection: a study by the SEOM cancer and thrombosis group

Clin Transl Oncol. 2023 Jun 10. doi: 10.1007/s12094-023-03233-2. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The CoVID-TE model was developed with the aim of predicting venous thrombotic events (VTE) in cancer patients with Sars-Cov-2 infection. Moreover, it was capable of predicting hemorrhage and mortality 30 days following infection diagnosis. The model is pending validation.

METHODS/PATIENTS: Multicenter retrospective study (10 centers). Adult patients with active oncologic disease/ antineoplastic therapy with Sars-Cov-2 infection hospitalized between March 1, 2020 and March 1. 2022 were recruited. The primary endpoint was to study the association between the risk categories of the CoVID-TE model and the occurrence of thrombosis using the Chi-Square test. Secondary endpoints were to demonstrate the association between these categories and the occurrence of post-diagnostic Sars-Cov-2 bleeding/ death events. The Kaplan-Meier method was also used to compare mortality by stratification.

RESULTS: 263 patients were enrolled. 59.3% were men with a median age of 67 years. 73.8% had stage IV disease and lung cancer was the most prevalent tumor (24%). A total of 86.7% had an ECOG 0-2 and 77.9% were receiving active antineoplastic therapy. After a median follow-up of 6.83 months, the incidence of VTE, bleeding, and death 90 days after Sars-Cov-2 diagnosis in the low-risk group was 3.9% (95% CI 1.9-7.9), 4.5% (95% CI 2.3-8.6), and 52.5% (95% CI 45.2-59.7), respectively. For the high-risk group it was 6% (95% CI 2.6-13.2), 9.6% (95% CI 5.0-17.9), and 58.0% (95% CI 45.3-66.1). The Chi-square test for trends detected no statistically significant association between these variables (p > 0.05). Median survival in the low-risk group was 10.15 months (95% CI 3.84-16.46), while in the high-risk group it was 3.68 months (95% CI 0.0-7.79). The differences detected were not statistically significant (p = 0.375).

CONCLUSIONS: The data from our series does not validate of the CoVID-TE as a model to predict thrombosis, hemorrhage, or mortality in cancer patients with Sars-Cov-2 infection.

PMID:37301805 | DOI:10.1007/s12094-023-03233-2

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Total Hip Arthroplasty Outcomes in Patients with a History of Prior Radiation

J Arthroplasty. 2023 Jun 8:S0883-5403(23)00609-5. doi: 10.1016/j.arth.2023.05.066. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: As nearly 50% of cancer patients receive radiation therapy (RT) as treatment, the effects of RT on the outcomes of future total hip arthroplasty (THA) remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to assess the odds of developing medical and surgical adverse events following THA in patients who have a history of RT.

METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted using a national database to identify patients who underwent primary THA (Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code 27130) from 2002 to 2022. Patients who had a prior RT were identified by International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-10-CM) codes Z51.0 (encounter for antineoplastic RT), Z92.3 (personal history of irradiation), or CPT code 101843 (radiation oncology treatment). One-to-one propensity score matching was conducted to generate 3 pairs of cohorts: 1) THA with/without history of RT; 2) THA with/without history of cancer; and 3) THA patients who have a history of cancer treated with/without RT. Surgical and medical complications were assessed at the 30-day, 90-day, and 1-year postoperative periods.

RESULTS: Patients who have a history of RT had higher odds of developing anemia, deep vein thrombosis, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and prosthetic joint infection at all intervals. When controlling for a history of cancer, RT was associated with an increased risk of pulmonary embolism, heterotrophic ossification, prosthetic joint infection, and periprosthetic fracture at all post-operative time points. There was additionally an increased risk of aseptic loosening at 1-year (Odds Ratio (OR): 2.0, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.2-3.1).

CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that patients who have a history of antineoplastic RT are at an increased risk of developing various surgical and medical complications following THA.

PMID:37301238 | DOI:10.1016/j.arth.2023.05.066

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding complications in patients with cancer and isolated distal deep vein thrombosis

Thromb Res. 2023 Jun 4;228:81-84. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2023.05.027. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Isolated distal deep vein thrombosis (IDDVT) is a common clinical presentation of DVT. The efficacy and safety of anticoagulant therapy for the management of IDDVT in patients with cancer are unclear. We sought to assess the incidence of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) and major bleeding in this patient population.

METHODS: A systematic search of MEDLINE, EMBASE and PubMed, from inception to June 2, 2022 was performed. The primary efficacy outcome was recurrent VTE and the primary safety outcome was major bleeding. The secondary outcomes were clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) and mortality. The incidence rates of thrombotic, bleeding, and mortality outcomes were pooled using random effects model and expressed as events per 100 patient-months with associated 95 % confidence intervals (CI).

RESULTS: Out of a total of 5234 articles, 10 observational studies including 8160 patients with cancer and IDDVT were included in the analysis. The incidence rate of recurrent VTE was 5.65 (95 % CI: 2.09-15.30) per 100 patient-years regardless of type and duration of anticoagulant therapy. The incidence rate of major bleeding was 4.08 (95 % CI: 2.52-6.61) per 100 patient-years. The incidence rates for CRNMB and mortality per 100 patient-years were 8.11 (95 % CI: 5.56-11.83) and 30.22 (95 % CI: 22.60-40.42.89), respectively.

CONCLUSION: Patients with cancer and IDDVT are at high risk of developing recurrent VTE and bleeding complications (both major bleeding and CRNMB). More studies are needed to define the optimal management for this high-risk population.

PMID:37301116 | DOI:10.1016/j.thromres.2023.05.027

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential in patients with venous thromboembolism

J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2023 Jun 10. doi: 10.1007/s11239-023-02836-4. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

Over the last decade, the concept of Clonal haematopoiesis of undetermined potential (CHIP) has emerged. Low frequency somatic mutations in hematopoietic cells can occur with age and might allow formation of clones in individuals with no characterized haematological pathology. These CHIP mutations are associated with an increased risk of cancer or atherothrombosis, and their prevalence are more and more studied in pathologies with an inflammatory component. In our study, we analysed, by next generation sequencing, the prevalence of CHIP mutation in 94 patients with deep venous thrombosis (DVT), distinguishing two clinical phenotypes: provoked distal and non-provoked proximal DVTs. We show that there is no difference in CHIP prevalence between these two groups, nor with a matched-aged control group. The number of mutation per patients and the affected genes remain also the same between the three groups. Consequently and despite the relative small number of patients in each cohort, it seems that CHIP is not a strong concern in venous thromboembolism.

PMID:37300604 | DOI:10.1007/s11239-023-02836-4

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Diagnostic Approach for Venous Thromboembolism in Cancer Patients

Cancers (Basel). 2023 Jun 2;15(11):3031. doi: 10.3390/cancers15113031.

ABSTRACT

Venous thromboembolic disease (VTE) is a common complication in cancer patients. The currently recommended VTE diagnostic approach involves a step-by-step algorithm, which is based on the assessment of clinical probability, D-dimer measurement, and/or diagnostic imaging. While this diagnostic strategy is well validated and efficient in the noncancer population, its use in cancer patients is less satisfactory. Cancer patients often present nonspecific VTE symptoms resulting in less discriminatory power of the proposed clinical prediction rules. Furthermore, D-dimer levels are often increased because of a hypercoagulable state associated with the tumor process. Consequently, the vast majority of patients require imaging tests. In order to improve VTE exclusion in cancer patients, several approaches have been developed. The first approach consists of ordering imaging tests to all patients, despite overexposing a population known to have mostly multiple comorbidities to radiations and contrast products. The second approach consists of new diagnostic algorithms based on clinical probability assessment with different D-dimer thresholds, e.g., the YEARS algorithm, which shows promise in improving the diagnosis of PE in cancer patients. The third approach uses an adjusted D-dimer threshold, to age, pretest probability, clinical criteria, or other criteria. These different diagnostic strategies have not been compared head-to-head. In conclusion, despite having several proposed diagnostic approaches to diagnose VTE in cancer patients, we still lack a dedicated diagnostic algorithm specific for this population.

PMID:37296993 | PMC:PMC10252026 | DOI:10.3390/cancers15113031

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Low Molecular Weight Heparin Treatment Patterns and Outcomes in Cancer Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism: A Nationwide Cohort Study in France

Cancers (Basel). 2023 May 31;15(11):3011. doi: 10.3390/cancers15113011.

ABSTRACT

Patients with cancer have an increased risk of developing venous thromboembolism (VTE) and an increased risk of death from VTE. Until recently, the standard of care for treatment of VTE in cancer patients was low molecular weight heparins (LMWH). To determine treatment patterns and outcomes, we performed an observational study using a nationwide health database. Treatment patterns, rates of bleeding, and VTE recurrence at 6 and 12 months were assessed in cancer patients with VTE in France prescribed LMWH in 2013-2018. Of 31,771 patients administered LMWH (mean age 66.3 years), 51.0% were male, 58.7% had pulmonary embolism, and 70.9% had metastatic disease. At 6 months LMWH persistence was 81.6%, VTE recurrence had occurred in 1256 patients (4.0%) at a crude rate per 100 person-months (PM) of 0.90, and bleeding had occurred in 1124 patients (3.5%) at a crude rate per 100 PM of 0.81. At 12 months, VTE recurrence had occurred in 1546 patients (4.9%) at a crude rate per 100 PM of 0.71 and bleeding had occurred in 1438 patients (4.5%) at a crude rate per 100 PM of 0.66. Overall, VTE-related clinical event rates were high among patients administered LMWH, suggesting an unmet medical need.

PMID:37296971 | PMC:PMC10251904 | DOI:10.3390/cancers15113011

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Covariate-specific ROC curve analysis can accommodate differences between covariate subgroups in the evaluation of diagnostic accuracy

J Clin Epidemiol. 2023 Jun 7:S0895-4356(23)00142-7. doi: 10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.06.001. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: We present an illustrative application of methods that account for covariates in receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis, using individual patient data on D-dimer testing for excluding pulmonary embolism.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Bayesian nonparametric covariate-specific ROC curves were constructed to examine the performance/positivity thresholds in covariate subgroups. Standard ROC curves were constructed. Three scenarios were outlined based on comparison between subgroups and standard ROC curve conclusion: (1) identical distribution/identical performance, (2) different distribution/identical performance, and (3) different distribution/different performance. Scenarios were illustrated using clinical covariates. Covariate-adjusted ROC curves were also constructed.

RESULTS: Age groups had prominent differences in D-dimer concentration, paired with differences in performance (Scenario 3). Different positivity thresholds were required to achieve the same level of sensitivity. D-dimer had identical performance, but different distributions for YEARS algorithm items (Scenario 2), and similar distributions for sex (Scenario 1). For the later covariates, comparable positivity thresholds achieved the same sensitivity. All covariate-adjusted models had AUCs comparable to the standard approach.

CONCLUSION: Subgroup differences in performance and distribution of results can indicate that the conventional ROC curve is not a fair representation of test performance. Estimating conditional ROC curves can improve the ability to select thresholds with greater applicability.

PMID:37295733 | DOI:10.1016/j.jclinepi.2023.06.001

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

COVID-19 related acute necrotizing encephalopathy presenting in the early postoperative period

Arch Clin Cases. 2023 Jun 7;10(2):78-85. doi: 10.22551/2023.39.1002.10246. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

Besides respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms, SARS-CoV-2 also has potential neurotropic effects. Acute hemorrhagic necrotizing encephalopathy is a rare complication of Covid-19. This article presents a case of an 81-year-old female, fully vaccinated, who underwent laparoscopic transhiatal esophagectomy due to gastroesophageal junction cancer. In the early postoperative period, the patient developed persistent fever accompanied by acute quadriplegia, impaired consciousness, and no signs of respiratory distress. Imaging with Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance revealed multiple bilateral lesions both in gray and white matter, as well as pulmonary embolism. Covid-19 infection was added to the differential diagnosis three weeks later, after other possible causes were excluded. The molecular test obtained at that time for coronavirus was negative. However, the high clinical suspicion index led to Covid-19 antibody testing (IgG and IgA), which confirmed the diagnosis. The patient was treated with corticosteroids with noticeable clinical improvement. She was discharged to a rehabilitation center. Six months later, the patient was in good general condition, although a neurological deficit was still present. This case indicates the significance of a high clinical suspicion index, based on a combination of clinical manifestations and neuroimaging, and the confirmation of the diagnosis with molecular and antibody testing. Constant awareness of a possible Covid-19 infection among hospitalized patients is mandatory.

PMID:37293685 | PMC:PMC10246599 | DOI:10.22551/2023.39.1002.10246

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Incidence and risk factors for venous thromboembolism in patients with ovarian cancer during neoadjuvant chemotherapy: a meta-analysis

Am J Cancer Res. 2023 May 15;13(5):2126-2134. eCollection 2023.

ABSTRACT

In recent years, there has been increasing recognition of the relationship between neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in ovarian cancer and the incidence rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Some studies have suggested that NACT may be associated with a high risk of VTE in patients with ovarian cancer. To investigate this, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of the incidence of VTE during NACT and its associated risk factors. We searched PubMed, Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), ClinicalTrials.gov, and the International Standard Randomized Controlled Trial Number Register (ISRCTN) from their inception to September 15, 2022. We calculated the incidence of VTE as the event rate (%) and used logistic regression analysis to investigate pooled VTE rates. Risk factors for VTE were presented as odds ratios (ORs), and pooled ORs was estimated using the inverse variance method. We reported pooled effect estimates with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Our review included 7 cohort studies with 1244 participants. Meta-analysis of these studies revealed a pooled VTE rate of 13% during NACT (1224 participants; 95% CI, 9%-17%), with body mass index identified as a risk factor for VTE during NACT in 3 of the included studies (633 participants; OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.13-2.76).

PMID:37293158 | PMC:PMC10244120

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Causal relationships between risk of venous thromboembolism and 18 cancers: a bidirectional Mendelian randomisation analysis

medRxiv. 2023 May 18:2023.05.16.23289792. doi: 10.1101/2023.05.16.23289792. Preprint.

ABSTRACT

Background:People with cancer experience high rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Additionally, risk of subsequent cancer is increased in people experiencing their first VTE. The causal mechanisms underlying this association are not completely understood, and it is unknown whether VTE is itself a risk factor for cancer. Methods:We used data from large genome-wide association study meta-analyses to perform bi-directional Mendelian randomisation analyses to estimate causal associations between genetically-proxied lifetime risk of VTE and risk of 18 different cancers. Results:We found no conclusive evidence that genetically-proxied lifetime risk of VTE was causally associated with an increased incidence of cancer, or vice-versa. We observed an association between VTE and pancreatic cancer risk (odds ratio for pancreatic cancer 1.23 (95% confidence interval 1.08 - 1.40) per log-odds increase in risk of VTE, P =0.002). However, sensitivity analyses revealed this association was predominantly driven by a variant proxying non-O blood group, with inadequate evidence from Mendelian randomisation to suggest a causal relationship. Conclusions:These findings do not support the hypothesis that genetically-proxied lifetime risk of VTE is a cause of cancer. Existing observational epidemiological associations between VTE and cancer are therefore more likely to be driven by pathophysiological changes which occur in the setting of active cancer and anti-cancer treatments. Further work is required to explore and synthesise evidence for these mechanisms.

KEY MESSAGES: 1) There is strong observational evidence that active cancer is associated with venous thromboembolism.2) It is currently unknown whether venous thromboembolism is a risk factor for cancer.3) We applied a bi-directional Mendelian randomisation framework to appraise the causal relationships between genetically-proxied risk of venous thromboembolism and 18 different cancers.4) Overall, there was no clear evidence from Mendelian randomisation that lifetime-elevated risk of venous thromboembolism is causally associated with an increased risk of cancer, or visa versa.

PMID:37292802 | PMC:PMC10246038 | DOI:10.1101/2023.05.16.23289792

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Stroke Recurrence in Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source Without Atrial Fibrillation on Invasive Cardiac Monitoring

Heart Lung Circ. 2023 Jun 6:S1443-9506(23)00514-0. doi: 10.1016/j.hlc.2023.05.010. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: More than half of patients with embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) suffer from recurrent ischaemic stroke, despite the absence of atrial fibrillation (AF) on invasive cardiac monitoring (ICM). This study investigated the predictors and prognosis of recurrent stroke in ESUS without AF on ICM.

METHOD: This prospective study included patients with ESUS at two tertiary hospitals from 2015 to 2021 who underwent comprehensive neurological imaging, transthoracic echocardiography, and inpatient continuous electrographic monitoring for ≥48 hours prior to ICM for definitive exclusion of AF. Recurrent ischaemic stroke, all-cause mortality, and functional outcome by the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at 3 months were evaluated in patients without AF.

RESULTS: Of 185 consecutive patients with ESUS, AF was not detected in 163 (88%) patients (age 62±12 years, 76% men, 25% prior stroke, median time to ICM insertion 26 [7, 123] days), and stroke recurred in 24 (15%) patients. Stroke recurrences were predominantly ESUS (88%), within the first 2 years (75%), and involved a different vascular territory from qualifying ESUS (58%). Pre-existing cancer was the only independent predictor of recurrent stroke (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 5.43, 95% CI 1.43-20.64), recurrent ESUS (AHR 5.67, 95% CI 1.15-21.21), and higher mRS score at 3 months (ß 1.27, 95% CI 0.23-2.42). All-cause mortality occurred in 17 (10%) patients. Adjusting for age, cancer, and mRS category (≥3 vs <3),

CONCLUSIONS: Patients with recurrent ESUS are a high-risk subgroup. Studies elucidating optimal diagnostic and treatment strategies in non-AF-related ESUS are urgently required.

PMID:37291002 | DOI:10.1016/j.hlc.2023.05.010

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PubMed articles on: Cancer & VTE/PE

Congenital hepatic hemangioma: an unusual case report of pulmonary hypertension

BMC Pediatr. 2023 Jun 7;23(1):284. doi: 10.1186/s12887-023-04096-w.