Morbid Obesity and Mortality in Patients With VTE: Findings From Real-Life Clinical Practice

Lower early mortality and risk prediction improvement of obesity after acute pulmonary embolism: results from a multicenter cohort analysis with external validation

Background

The relationship between obesity (defined as body mass index [BMI] ≥ 30 kg/m2) and mortality in venous thromboembolism remains controversial.

Objectives

We aimed to compare outcomes after pulmonary embolism (PE) between patients with obesity and nonobese, nonunderweight patients.

Methods

Using a multicenter registry of prospectively recorded individual patient data, we compared outcome rates using multivariable logistic or Cox regression for 30-day and 6-month outcomes respectively (etiologic analysis). We assessed the incremental value of adding BMI information on top of the 30-day European Society of Cardiology (ESC) prognostic algorithm (prognostic analysis).

Results

We included 2390 patients with BMI of ≥18.5 kg/m2 (mean age, 66.9 ± 16.8 years; 1188 men [49.7%]); 686 patients [28.7%] were in the obese group. Mortality rates were significantly lower in patients with obesity than that in patients who were nonobese at 30 days (3.2% [95% CI, 2.0-4.8] vs 5.9% [95% CI, 4.8-7.1]), and 6 months (8.1% [95% CI, 6.2-10.4] vs 16.3% [95% CI, 14.6-18.1]). Rates of secondary nonfatal outcomes (including bleeding, recurrent venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, and stroke) did not differ between groups. The addition of the obesity information on top of the ESC prognostic model improved global model fit and discriminatory (Harrell C index from 0.636 to 0.657; P = .07) and calibration capacities (P (Hosmer-Lemeshow) = .02 vs .13), yielding significant reclassification (ie, 10.3%) based on the observed mortality rates with the ESC model as reference. Findings were confirmed in an external validation using 35,796 patients with PE from the RIETE registry.

Conclusion

We present evidence indicating lower early- and mid-term mortality after PE in patients classified as obese based on BMI, compared with nonobese, nonunderweight patients. BMI should likely be incorporated into algorithms or scoring systems for predicting early mortality following PE.

Treating cancer-associated venous thromboembolism: A practical approach

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with cancer. Both cancer and its treatments increase the risk of developing VTE. Specific cancer types and individual patient comorbidities increase the risk of developing cancer-associated VTE, and the risk of bleeding is increased with anticoagulation therapies. The aims of this article are to summarize the latest evidence for treating cancer-associated VTE, discuss the practical considerations involved, and share best practices for VTE treatment in patients with cancer. The article pays particular attention to challenging contexts including patients with brain, lung, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary tumors and those with hematological malignancies. Furthermore, the article summarizes specific clinical scenarios that require additional treatment considerations, including extremes of body weight, nausea and gastrointestinal disturbances, compromised renal function, and anemia, and touches upon the relevance of drug-drug interactions. Historically, vitamin K antagonists and low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) have been used as therapy for cancer-associated VTE. The development of direct oral anticoagulants has provided additional treatment options, which, in certain instances, offer advantages over LMWHs. There are numerous factors that need to be considered when treating cancer-associated VTE, and although various treatment guidelines are helpful, they do not reflect each unique scenario that may arise in clinical practice. This article provides a summary of the latest evidence and a practical approach for treating cancer-associated VTE.

The Role of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Treatment of Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism: Review by Middle East and North African Experts

Venous thromboembolism is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with active cancer who require anticoagulation treatment. Choice of anticoagulant is based on careful balancing of the risks and benefits of available classes of treatment: vitamin K antagonists, low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Results from randomized controlled trials have shown the consistent efficacy of DOACs versus LMWH in the treatment of cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, increased major gastrointestinal bleeding was observed for edoxaban and rivaroxaban, but not apixaban, compared with LMWH dalteparin. Most guidelines recommend DOACs for the treatment of cancer-associated VTE in patients without gastrointestinal or genitourinary cancer, and with considerations for renal impairment and drug-drug interactions. These updates represent a major paradigm shift for clinicians in the Middle East and North Africa. The decision to prescribe a DOAC for a patient with cancer is not always straightforward, particularly in challenging subgroups of patients with an increased risk of bleeding. In patients with gastrointestinal malignancies who are at high risk of major gastrointestinal bleeds, apixaban may be the preferred DOAC; however, caution should be exercised if patients have upper or unresected lower gastrointestinal tumors. In patients with gastrointestinal malignancies and upper or unresected lower gastrointestinal tumors, LMWH may be preferred. Vitamin K antagonists should be used only when DOACs and LMWH are unavailable or unsuitable. In this review, we discuss the overall evidence for DOACs in the treatment of cancer-associated VTE and provide treatment suggestions for challenging subgroups of patients with cancer associated VTE.

Real life results of direct-acting oral anticoagulants recommended-dose in obese vs normal-weight patients with venous thromboembolism

BACKGROUND

There is scarce evidence on the effectiveness and safety of recommended-dose direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in obese patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We used the data in the RIETE registry to compare the rates of VTE recurrences and major bleeding during long-term therapy with DOACs at recommended doses in patients with body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 (obese) vs. those with BMI 18.5-24.9 kg/m2 (normal weight). We performed regression models with competing risks for death.

RESULTS

From January 2013 through October 2022, 2885 obese patients and 2676 with normal weight in RIETE received rivaroxaban (n = 3020), apixaban (n = 1754), edoxaban (n = 636) or dabigatran (n = 151). Median age was 63 years and 52 % were female. At baseline, obese patients were more likely to have diabetes (18.6 % vs. 8.4 %), hypertension (51.9 % vs. 31.4 %) or pulmonary embolism (67.7 % vs. 61 %), and less likely to have renal insufficiency (5.3 % vs. 16 %) or anaemia (21.8 % vs. 28 %%). During anticoagulation (median, 147 vs. 101 days), the obese had a similar rate of VTE recurrences (1.71 vs. 2.14 events per 100 patients-years; hazard ratio (HR): 0.81; 95 % CI: 0.49-1.34) or major bleeding (1.45 vs. 1.76 per 100 patients-years; HR: 0.91; 95 % CI: 0.52-1.59) than those with normal weight. These findings persisted after multivariable analysis (recurrent VTE, HR: 0.80; 95 % CI: 0.48-1.32; major bleeding, HR: 1.11; 95 % CI: 0.60-2.07).

CONCLUSION

The use of DOACs at recommended doses in obese patients with VTE was associated with similar rates of VTE recurrences or major bleeding than in patients with normal weight.

Associations between body mass index and all-cause mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Fasting insulin and c-reactive protein confound the association between mortality and body mass index. An increase in fat mass may mediate the associations between hyperinsulinemia, hyperinflammation, and mortality. The objective of this study was to describe the "average" associations between body mass index and the risk of mortality and to explore how adjusting for fasting insulin and markers of inflammation might modify the association of BMI with mortality. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for studies published in 2020. Studies with adult participants where BMI and vital status was assessed were included. BMI was required to be categorized into groups or parametrized as non-first order polynomials or splines. All-cause mortality was regressed against mean BMI squared within seven broad clinical populations. Study was modeled as a random intercept. β coefficients and 95% confidence intervals are reported along with estimates of mortality risk by BMIs of 20, 30, and 40 kg/m2 . Bubble plots with regression lines are drawn, showing the associations between mortality and BMI. Splines results were summarized. There were 154 included studies with 6,685,979 participants. Only five (3.2%) studies adjusted for a marker of inflammation, and no studies adjusted for fasting insulin. There were significant associations between higher BMIs and lower mortality risk in cardiovascular (unadjusted β -0.829 [95% CI -1.313, -0.345] and adjusted β -0.746 [95% CI -1.471, -0.021]), Covid-19 (unadjusted β -0.333 [95% CI -0.650, -0.015]), critically ill (adjusted β -0.550 [95% CI -1.091, -0.010]), and surgical (unadjusted β -0.415 [95% CI -0.824, -0.006]) populations. The associations for general, cancer, and non-communicable disease populations were not significant. Heterogeneity was very large (I2  ≥ 97%). The role of obesity as a driver of excess mortality should be critically re-examined, in parallel with increased efforts to determine the harms of hyperinsulinemia and chronic inflammation.

Prevalence and Predictors of Cardiogenic Shock in Intermediate-Risk Pulmonary Embolism: Insights From the FLASH Registry

BACKGROUND

Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) and hypotension (high-risk PE) have high mortality. Cardiogenic shock can also occur in nonhypotensive or normotensive patients (intermediate-risk PE) but is less well characterized.

OBJECTIVES

The authors sought to evaluate the prevalence and predictors of normotensive shock in intermediate-risk PE.

METHODS

Intermediate-risk PE patients in the FLASH (FlowTriever All-Comer Registry for Patient Safety and Hemodynamics) registry undergoing mechanical thrombectomy with the FlowTriever System (Inari Medical) were included. The prevalence of normotensive shock (systolic blood pressure ≥90 mm Hg but cardiac index ≤2.2 L/min/m²) was assessed. A composite shock score consisting of markers of right ventricular function and ischemia (elevated troponin, elevated B-type natriuretic peptide, moderately/severely reduced right ventricular function), central thrombus burden (saddle PE), potential additional embolization (concomitant deep vein thrombosis), and cardiovascular compensation (tachycardia) was prespecified and assessed for its ability to identify normotensive shock patients.

RESULTS

Over one-third of intermediate-risk PE patients in FLASH (131/384, 34.1%) were in normotensive shock. The normotensive shock prevalence was 0% in patients with a composite shock score of 0 and 58.3% in those with a score of 6 (highest score). A score of 6 was a significant predictor of normotensive shock (odds ratio: 5.84; 95% CI: 2.00-17.04). Patients showed significant on-table improvements in hemodynamics post-thrombectomy, including normalization of the cardiac index in 30.5% of normotensive shock patients. Right ventricular size, function, dyspnea, and quality of life significantly improved at the 30-day follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Although hemodynamically stable, over one-third of intermediate-risk FLASH patients were in normotensive shock with a depressed cardiac index. A composite shock score effectively further risk stratified these patients. Mechanical thrombectomy improved hemodynamics and functional outcomes at the 30-day follow-up.

Obesity as a Risk Factor for Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence: A Systematic Review

Background and Objectives: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) encompasses Deep Venous Thrombosis (DVT) and Pulmonary Embolism (PE). The duration of anticoagulant therapy following a VTE event partly relies on the risk of recurrent VTE which depends on the clinical setting where VTE occurred and the VTE risk factors present. Obesity is considered a minor risk factor and studies in the literature have provided conflicting results on whether obesity influences the development of recurrences. The aim of the present study is to assess the effect of obesity on VTE recurrence in patients that suffered from a previous VTE event. Materials and Methods: We conducted systematic research for English language studies in Medline, Scopus and ProQuest databases in order to identify publications that assess the risk of VTE recurrence in obesity. Inclusion criteria were: 1. Diagnosis of VTE, 2. Definition of obesity as a body mass index ≥30 kg/m², 3. Report of the risk of obesity on VTE recurrence, 4. Adult human population. We did not include case reports, review studies or studies that assessed other forms of thrombosis and/or used other definitions of obesity. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa scale to address the quality of the studies. Results: Twenty studies were included in the analysis, of which 11 where prospective cohort studies, 6 were retrospective cohort studies, 1 was a cross-sectional study, and 2 were post-hoc analysis of randomized clinical trials. Obesity was significantly associated with recurrences in 9 studies and in 3 of them the association was significant only in females. Conclusions: There is heterogeneity between the studies both in their design and results, therefore the effect of obesity on VTE recurrence cannot be adequately estimated. Future randomized clinical studies with appropriately selected population are needed in order to streamline the effect of obesity on VTE recurrence.

Mortality risk in patients with underweight or obesity with peripheral artery disease: a meta-analysis including 5,735,578 individuals

OBJECTIVES

The "obesity paradox" - in which patients with obesity exhibit superior survival than normal-weight counterparts - has been reported for several diseases. However, obesity is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease, and whether the obesity paradox is present in peripheral artery disease (PAD) is unknown.

METHODS

A comprehensive search for studies that reported mortality in patients with PAD grouped by BMI identified 12 studies. We compared the survival of underweight patients with those who were not underweight, and patients with obesity against those without. Underweight was defined by a BMI value of <18.5 kg/m² in most studies and obesity by BMI ≥ 30 kg/m². Subgroup analyses were performed according to length of follow-up, presentation of PAD, and mode of revascularization. Meta-regression analyses were conducted, with covariates including age, sex, presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and diabetes mellitus (DM).

RESULTS

The mortality risk of underweight patients with PAD was significantly higher compared to those who are not underweight (HR 1.72, 95% CI 1.38-2.14; I² = 84.2%). In contrast, the mortality risk of patients with obesity with PAD was significantly lower than those without (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.62-0.97; I² = 89.8%). These findings remained consistent regardless of the presentation of PAD, revascularization, age, sex, or presence of CAD. The risk of death in the short-term of underweight patients (HR 1.50, 95% CI 0.47-4.72) and patients with obesity (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.66-1.13) were not significantly different from their counterparts. The meta-regression showed that of the association between obesity and better survival was more pronounced in studies with a greater proportion of patients with concomitant CAD (regression coefficient -0.029, 95% CI -0.054 to -0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with PAD, mortality is higher among underweight patients and lower among patients with obesity. The mechanisms underlying the obesity paradox in patients with PAD remain to be elucidated, and further evidence is required to guide optimal weight control strategies in these patients.

Liver status and outcomes in patients without previous known liver disease receiving anticoagulant therapy for venous thromboembolism

The association between elevated liver enzymes or FIB-4 (fibrosis index 4) and outcome in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been evaluated. Data from patients in RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) were used to assess the association between elevated liver enzymes or FIB-4 levels and the rates of major bleeding or death in apparent liver disease-free patients with acute VTE under anticoagulation therapy. A total of 6206 patients with acute VTE and without liver disease were included. Of them, 92 patients had major bleeding and 168 died under anticoagulation therapy. On multivariable analysis, patients with elevated liver enzymes were at increased mortality risk (HR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.10-2.28), while those with FIB-4 levels > 2.67 points were at increased risk for major bleeding (HR: 1.69; 95% CI: 1.04-2.74). Evaluation of liver enzymes and FIB-4 index at baseline in liver disease-free patients with VTE may provide additional information on the risk for major bleeding or death during anticoagulation.

Influence of body mass index on clinical outcomes in venous thromboembolism: Insights from GARFIELD-VTE

BACKGROUND

There is limited information on the influence of body mass index (BMI) on clinical outcomes in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE).

OBJECTIVES

Investigate the influence of BMI on baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 24-month outcomes in VTE patients.

METHODS

GARFIELD-VTE is a prospective, non-interventional study of 10 869 patients with objectively confirmed VTE. Patients were grouped according to BMI: <18.5 (underweight; n = 214); 18.5-24.9 (normal; n = 2866); 25.0-29.9 (overweight; n = 3326); ≥30 (obese; n = 3073).

RESULTS

Compared with patients with a normal BMI, obese patients were more frequently Caucasian (77.4% vs. 57.9%), treated in the outpatient setting (30.4% vs. 23.1%), and had previous VTE (17.5% vs. 11.7%). Active cancer was associated with lower BMI (underweight: 30.4%, normal: 13.5%, overweight: 9.4%, obese: 7.0%). At baseline, overweight and obese patients less often received parenteral therapy alone (16.7% and 14.4%) compared with those with an underweight or normal BMI (30.8% and 21.6%). Obese patients more commonly remained on anticoagulants for ≥2-years compared to those with a normal BMI (52.3% vs. 37.7%). After 24-months, the risk of all-cause mortality was lower in overweight and obese patients than in those with normal BMI (adjusted hazard ratio [95% CI]; 0.75 [0.63-0.89] and 0.59 [0.49-0.72], respectively). Underweight patients more often experienced major bleeding (2.45 [1.41-4.26]) and all-cause mortality (1.90 [1.43-2.53]) than patients with a normal BMI. Recurrent VTE was comparable among groups.

CONCLUSION

Underweight VTE patients have the highest risk of mortality and major bleeding. The risk of mortality in obese VTE patients is lower than that in VTE patients with a normal BMI.

Prognostic Significance of Incidental Deep Vein Thrombosis in Patients with Cancer Presenting with Incidental Pulmonary Embolism

In symptomatic acute pulmonary embolism (PE), the presence of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a risk factor for 30- and 90-day mortality. In patients with cancer and incidental PE, the prognostic effect of concomitant incidental DVT is unknown. In this retrospective study, we examined the effect of incidental DVT on all-cause mortality in such patients. Adjusted Cox multivariate regression analysis was used for relevant covariates. From January 2010 to March 2018, we included 200 patients (mean age, 65.3 ± 12.4 years) who were followed up for 12.5 months (interquartile range 7.4-19.4 months). Of these patients, 62% had metastases, 31% had concomitant incidental DVT, and 40.1% (n = 81) died during follow-up. All-cause mortality did not increase in patients with DVT (hazard ratio [HR] 1.01, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.43-2.75, p = 0.855). On multivariate analysis, weight (adjusted HR 0.96, 95% CI 0.92-0.99, p = 0.032), and metastasis (adjusted HR 10.26, 95% CI 2.35-44.9, p = 0.002) were predictors of all-cause mortality. In conclusion, low weight and presence of metastases were associated with all-cause mortality, while presence of concomitant DVT was unrelated to poorer survival.