D-dimer levels at diagnosis and long-term clinical outcomes in venous thromboembolism: from the COMMAND VTE Registry

High thrombus density ratio on CT venography is associated with inferior vena cava filters trapped embolus in patients with deep vein thrombosis

OBJECTIVE

Defining the appropriate use of retrievable inferior vena cava filters (RIVCF) in patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) remains significant clinical need. This study aimed to investigate the association between thrombus density on computed tomography venography (CTV) and RIVCF-trapped embolus to further identify DVT patients who may benefit from RIVCF implantation.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between 2019 and 2023, 91 DVT patients with RIVCF implantation were prospectively recruited. CTV was performed for all patients. Based on the presence of RIVCF-trapped embolus at filter retrieval, patients were divided into the no-embolus group and the embolus group. The thrombus density ratio was compared between the two groups. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to identify the association between thrombus density ratio and RIVCF-trapped embolus.

RESULTS

RIVCF-trapped embolus occurred in 55 patients (60 %). The thrombus density ratio was significantly higher in the embolus group than the no-embolus group (46.23 ± 0.1 % vs. 55 ± 0.08 %, p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that a high thrombus density ratio was associated with thrombus detachment (OR = 2.36, 95 % CI: 1.29-4.29; p = 0.005). The AUC value of the logistic regression model combined with thrombus density ratio and D-dimer for predicting RIVCF-trapped embolus was 0.882 (p < 0.001), and the thrombus density ratio was 0.841 (95 % CI: 0.75-0.92; p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

CT-based high thrombus density ratio could predict RIVCF-trapped embolus in DVT patients, indicating that those patients require aggressive RIVCF placement.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT

CT-based high thrombus density ratio was associated with RIVCF-trapped embolus, which can be a potential imaging marker to identify patients who may benefit from RIVCF implantation and may contribute to future improvements of RIVCF application guidelines.

Subclass phenotypes in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolisms using a latent class analysis

BACKGROUND

Patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolisms (VTEs) can be sub-classified based on the different phenotypes using a latent class analysis (LCA), which might be useful for selecting individual management strategies.

METHODS

In the COMMAND VTE Registry-2 database enrolling 5197 VTE patients, the current derivation cohort consisted of 1556 patients with unprovoked VTEs. We conducted clustering with an LCA, and the patients were classified into subgroups with the highest probability. We compared the clinical characteristics and outcomes among the developed subgroups.

RESULTS

This LCA model proposed 3 subgroups based on 8 clinically relevant variables, and classified 592, 813, and 151 patients as Class I, II, and III, respectively. Based on the clinical features, we named Class I the younger, Class II the older with a few comorbidities, and Class III the older with many comorbidities. The cumulative 3-year anticoagulation discontinuation rate was highest in the older with many comorbidities (Class III) (39.9 %, 36.1 %, and 48.4 %, P = 0.02). There was no significant difference in the cumulative 5-year incidence of recurrent VTEs among the 3 classes (12.8 %, 11.1 %, and 4.0 % P = 0.20), whereas the cumulative 5-year incidence of major bleeding was significantly higher in the older with many comorbidities (Class III) (7.8 %, 12.7 %, and 17.8 %, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

The current LCA revealed that patients with unprovoked VTEs could be sub-classified into further phenotypes depending on the patient characteristics. Each subclass phenotype could have different clinical outcomes risks especially a bleeding risk, which could have a potential benefit when considering the individual anticoagulation strategies.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

URL: http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm COMMAND VTE Registry-2: Unique identifier, UMIN000044816 COMMAND VTE Registry: Unique identifier, UMIN000021132.

A nomogram to predict the risk of venous thromboembolism in patients with colon cancer in China

OBJECTIVE

To create a nomogram for predicting the likelihood of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in colon cancer patients from China.

METHODS

The data of colon cancer patients from Chongqing University Cancer Hospital between 2019 and 2022 were analyzed. Patients were divided into training set and internal validation set by random split-sample method in a split ratio of 7:3. The univariable and multivariable logistic analysis gradually identified the independent risk factors for VTE. A nomogram was created using all the variables that had a significance level of p < 0.05 in the multivariable logistic analysis and those with clinical significance. Calibration curves and clinical decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to assess model's fitting performance and clinical value. Harrell's C-index (concordance statistic) and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) were used to evaluate the predictive effectiveness of models.

RESULTS

A total of 1996 patients were ultimately included. There were 1398 patients in the training set and 598 patients in the internal validation set. The nomogram included age, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hypertension, activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, platelet, absolute lymphocyte count, and D-dimer. The C-index of nomogram and Khorana score were 0.754 (95% CI 0.711-0.798), 0.520 (95% CI 0.477-0.563) in the training cohort and 0.713 (95% CI 0.643-0.784), 0.542 (95% CI 0.473-0.612) in the internal validation cohort.

CONCLUSIONS

We have established and validated a nomogram to predict the VTE risk of colon cancer patients in China, which encompasses a diverse age range, a significant population size, and various clinical factors. It facilitates the identification of high-risk groups and may enable the implementation of targeted preventive measures.

Novel Insights in Venous Thromboembolism Risk Assessment Methods in Ambulatory Cancer Patients: From the Guidelines to Clinical Practice

Many cancer patients will experience venous thromboembolism (VTE) at some stage, with the highest rate in the initial period following diagnosis. Novel cancer therapies may further enhance the risk. VTE in a cancer setting is associated with poor prognostic, a decreased quality of life, and high healthcare costs. If thromboprophylaxis in hospitalized cancer patients and perioperative settings is widely accepted in clinical practice and supported by the guidelines, it is not the same situation in ambulatory cancer patient settings. The guidelines do not recommend primary thromboprophylaxis, except in high-risk cases. However, nowadays, risk stratification is still challenging, although many tools have been developed. The Khrorana score remains the most used method, but it has many limits. This narrative review aims to present the current relevant knowledge of VTE risk assessment in ambulatory cancer patients, starting from the guideline recommendations and continuing with the specific risk assessment methods and machine learning models approaches. Biomarkers, genetic, and clinical features were tested alone or in groups. Old and new models used in VTE risk assessment are exposed, underlining their clinical utility. Imaging and biomolecular approaches to VTE screening of outpatients with cancer are also presented, which could help clinical decisions.

Long Non-Coding RNAs in Venous Thromboembolism: Where Do We Stand?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common condition in Western countries, is a cardiovascular disorder that arises due to haemostatic irregularities, which lead to thrombus generation inside veins. Even with successful treatment, the resulting disease spectrum of complications considerably affects the patient's quality of life, potentially leading to death. Cumulative data indicate that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may have a role in VTE pathogenesis. However, the clinical usefulness of these RNAs as biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for VTE management is yet unclear. Thus, this article reviewed the emerging evidence on lncRNAs associated with VTE and with the activity of the coagulation system, which has a central role in disease pathogenesis. Until now, ten lncRNAs have been implicated in VTE pathogenesis, among which MALAT1 is the one with more evidence. Meanwhile, five lncRNAs have been reported to affect the expression of TFPI2, an important anticoagulant protein, but none with a described role in VTE development. More investigation in this field is needed as lncRNAs may help dissect VTE pathways, aiding in disease prediction, prevention and treatment.

Relationship between baseline D-dimer and prognosis in Japanese patients with venous thromboembolism: Insights from the J'xactly study

Background

D-dimer is a biomarker of fibrin production and degradation, and changes in D-dimer concentration suggest fibrin clot formation, which is associated with thromboembolism and hypercoagulable states. Thus, an elevated D-dimer concentration could be a useful prognostic predictor for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Methods and results

In this subanalysis of the J'xactly study, a prospective multicenter study conducted in Japan, we examined the clinical outcomes of 949 patients with VTE stratified by baseline D-dimer concentration. The median D-dimer concentration was 7.6 μg/ml (low D-dimer group: <7.6 μg/ml [n = 473, 49.8%]; high D-dimer group: ≥7.6 μg/ml [n = 476, 50.2%]). The mean age of the patients was 68 years, and 386 patients (40.7%) were male. Compared with the low D-dimer group, the high D-dimer group had more frequent pulmonary embolism with or without deep vein thrombosis (DVT), proximal DVT, atrial fibrillation, or diabetes mellitus, and underwent intensive treatment with 30 mg/day rivaroxaban. The incidence of composite clinically relevant events (recurrence or exacerbation of symptomatic VTE, acute coronary syndrome [ACS], ischemic stroke, death from any cause, or major bleeding) was higher in the high D-dimer group than in the low D-dimer group (11.1% vs. 7.5% per patient-year; hazard ratio, 1.46; 95% confidence interval, 1.05-2.04; p = 0.025). There was no significant difference between the high and low D-dimer groups in the incidence of VTE (2.8% vs. 2.5% per patient-year, respectively; p = 0.788), ACS (0.4% per patient-year vs. not observed, respectively; p = 0.078), or major bleeding (4.0% vs. 2.1% per patient-year, respectively; p = 0.087), but there was a significant difference in the incidence of ischemic stroke (1.0% per patient-year vs. not observed, respectively; p = 0.004).

Conclusion

Elevated D-dimer concentration may be an important prognostic predictor in Japanese patients with VTE.Clinical Trial Registration: UMIN CTR, UMIN000025072 (https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/index.htm).

Association between D-dimer levels and long-term mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

OBJECTIVE

D-dimer is a marker for hypercoagulability and thrombotic events. The authors sought to investigate whether D-dimer levels predicted long-term mortality in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH).

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of patients with aSAH in West China Hospital, Sichuan University, between December 2013 and June 2019. D-dimer levels were measured within 24 hours after admission and were grouped by quartiles. The primary outcome was long-term mortality. Patient deaths were determined through the Household Registration Administration System in China, with a median of 4.4 years of follow-up.

RESULTS

This study included 2056 patients. Compared with patients with the lowest quartile (0.00-0.97 mg/L) of D-dimer levels, the odds of long-term mortality were significantly higher in all other patients, including those with D-dimer levels between 0.97 mg/L and 1.94 mg/L (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 1.85, 95% CI 1.32-2.60), those with D-dimer levels between 1.94 mg/L and 4.18 mg/L (aHR 1.94, 95% CI 1.40-2.70), and those patients with the highest quartile (> 4.18 mg/L) of D-dimer levels (aHR 2.35, 95% CI 1.70-3.24; p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for the endpoints of 1-year mortality and long-term mortality in 1-year survivors.

CONCLUSIONS

Elevated D-dimer levels at admission were associated with short-term and long-term mortality. This biomarker could be considered in future risk nomograms for long-term outcomes and might support future management decisions.

Circulating MicroRNAs for Diagnosis of Acute Pulmonary Embolism: Still a Long Way to Go

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) represents the third most frequent cause of acute cardiovascular syndrome. Among VTE, acute pulmonary embolism (APE) is the most life-threatening complication. Due to the low specificity of symptoms clinical diagnosis of APE may be sometimes very difficult. Accordingly, the latest European guidelines only suggest clinical prediction tests for diagnosis of APE, eventually associated with D-dimer, a biomarker burdened by a very low specificity. A growing body of evidence is highlighting the role of miRNAs in hemostasis and thrombosis. Due to their partial inheritance and susceptibility to the environmental factors, miRNAs are increasingly described as active modifiers of the classical Virchow's triad. Clinical evidence on deep venous thrombosis reported specific miRNA signatures associated to thrombosis development, organization, recanalization, and resolution. Conversely, data of miRNA profiling as a predictor/diagnostic marker of APE are still preliminary. Here, we have summarized clinical evidence on the potential role of miRNA in diagnosis of APE. Despite some intriguing insight, miRNA assay is still far from any potential clinical application. Especially, the small sample size of cohorts likely represents the major limitation of published studies, so that extensive analysis of miRNA profiles with a machine learning approach are warranted in the next future. In addition, the cost-benefit ratio of miRNA assay still has a negative impact on their clinical application and routinely test.

Inflammatory and Hypercoagulable Biomarkers and Clinical Outcomes in COVID-19 Patients

Systemic inflammation and hypercoagulopathy are known pathophysiological processes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly in patients with known cardiovascular disease or its risk factors (CVD). However, whether a cumulative assessment of these biomarkers at admission could contribute to the prediction of in-hospital outcomes remains unknown. The CLAVIS-COVID registry was a Japanese nationwide retrospective multicenter observational study, supported by the Japanese Circulation Society. Consecutive hospitalized patients with pre-existing CVD and COVID-19 were enrolled. Patients were stratified by the tertiles of CRP and D-dimer values at the time of admission. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were constructed. In 461 patients (65.5% male; median age, 70.0), the median baseline CRP and D-dimer was 58.3 (interquartile range, 18.2-116.0) mg/L and 1.5 (interquartile range, 0.8-3.0) mg/L, respectively. Overall, the in-hospital mortality rate was 16.5%, and the rates steadily increased in concordance with both CRP (5.0%, 15.0%, and 28.2%, respectively p < 0.001) and D-dimer values (6.8%, 19.6%, and 22.5%, respectively p = 0.001). Patients with the lowest tertiles of both biomarkers (CRP, 29.0 mg/L; D-dimer, 1.00 mg/L) were at extremely low risk of in-hospital mortality (0% until day 50, and 1.4% overall). Conversely, the elevation of both CRP and D-dimer levels was a significant predictor of in-hospital mortality (Hazard ratio, 2.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.57-5.60). A similar trend was observed when the biomarker threshold was set at a clinically relevant threshold. In conclusion, the combination of these abnormalities may provide a framework for rapid risk estimation for in-hospital COVID-19 patients with CVD.