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Warkentin TE. Limb Ischemic Necrosis Secondary to Microvascular Thrombosis: A Brief Historical Review. Semin Thromb Hemost 2024; 50:760-772. [PMID: 38688305 DOI: 10.1055/s-0044-1786356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Ischemic limb injury can be broadly classified into arterial (absent pulses) and venous/microvascular (detectable pulses); the latter can be divided into two overlapping disorders-venous limb gangrene (VLG) and symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG). Both VLG and SPG feature predominant acral (distal) extremity ischemic necrosis, although in some instances, concomitant nonacral ischemia/skin necrosis occurs. Historically, for coagulopathic disorders with prominent nonacral ischemic necrosis, clinician-scientists implicated depletion of natural anticoagulants, especially involving the protein C (PC) system. This historical review traces the recognition of natural anticoagulant depletion as a key feature of nonacral ischemic syndromes, such as classic warfarin-induced skin necrosis, neonatal purpura fulminans (PF), and meningococcemia-associated PF. However, only after several decades was it recognized that natural anticoagulant depletion is also a key feature of predominantly acral ischemic microthrombosis syndromes-VLG and SPG-even when accompanying nonacral thrombosis is not present. These acquired acral limb ischemic syndromes typically involve the triad of (a) disseminated intravascular coagulation, (b) natural anticoagulant depletion, and (c) a localizing explanation for microthrombosis occurring in one or more limbs, either deep vein thrombosis (helping to explain VLG) or circulatory shock (helping to explain SPG). In most cases of VLG or SPG there are one or more events that exacerbate natural anticoagulant depletion, such as warfarin therapy (e.g., warfarin-associated VLG complicating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or cancer hypercoagulability) or acute ischemic hepatitis ("shock liver") as a proximate factor predisposing to severe depletion of hepatically synthesized natural anticoagulants (PC, antithrombin) in the setting of circulatory shock.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore E Warkentin
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Service of Benign Hematology, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Warkentin TE. A career in solving clinical-pathological conundrums: Heyde syndrome, anti-platelet factor 4 disorders, and microvascular limb ischemic necrosis. Int J Lab Hematol 2024; 46 Suppl 1:12-26. [PMID: 38432651 DOI: 10.1111/ijlh.14261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Hematology is a clinical specialty with strong roots in the laboratory; accordingly, the lab can help solve perplexing clinical problems. This review highlights clinical-pathological conundrums addressed during my 35-year hematology career at McMaster University. Heyde syndrome is the association between aortic stenosis and bleeding gastrointestinal (GI) angiodysplasia where the bleeding is usually cured by aortic valve replacement; the chance reading of a neonatal study showing reversible deficiency of high-molecular-weight (HMW) multimers of von Willebrand factor (vWF) following surgical correction of congenital heart disease provided the key insight that a subtle deficiency of HMW multimers of vWF explains Heyde syndrome. The unusual immunobiology of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)-a highly prothrombotic, antibody-mediated, anti-platelet factor 4 (PF4) disorder featuring rapid appearance and then disappearance (seroreversion) of the pathological heparin-dependent platelet-activating antibodies-permitted identification of key clinical features that informed development of a scoring system (4Ts) to aid in HIT diagnosis. Atypical clinical presentations of HIT prompted identification of heparin-independent anti-PF4 antibodies, now recognized as the explanation for vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT), as well as VITT-like disorders triggered by adenovirus infection. Another unusual feature of HIT is its strong association with limb ischemia, including limb necrosis secondary to deep-vein/microvascular thrombosis (venous limb gangrene). The remarkable observation that supratherapeutic warfarin anticoagulation predisposes to HIT- and cancer-associated venous limb gangrene provided insight into disturbed procoagulant/anticoagulant balance; these concepts are relevant to microvascular thrombosis in critical illness (symmetrical peripheral gangrene), including a pathophysiological role for proximate "shock liver" (impaired hepatic synthesis of natural anticoagulants).
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore E Warkentin
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, and Department of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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Forster CM, Halls S, Allarakhia S, Modi D, Chung W, Derry K, Digby G, Flemming J, McGugan J, Mackulin H, Montague S, Sibley S, Silver SA, Sirosky-Yanyk A, Stevens A, de Wit K, Zhang L, Callum J. Improving appropriate use of intravenous albumin: results of a single-centre audit and multifaceted intervention. BMJ Open Qual 2024; 13:e002534. [PMID: 38626937 PMCID: PMC11029189 DOI: 10.1136/bmjoq-2023-002534] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Accepted: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intravenous albumin has limited indications supported by randomised controlled trials, yet it is often prescribed for indications not supported by evidence. AIM To reduce unnecessary transfusion of albumin. INTERVENTIONS Under the leadership of a multidisciplinary quality improvement team, evidence-based recommendations were disseminated in tandem with a new electronic order set, an educational strategy, qualitative interviews with prescribers and a return policy change to reduce wastage. IMPLEMENTATION AND EVALUATION Interventions were introduced in a staggered fashion. The primary outcome, appropriate use of albumin, was monitored and quantified using pre-intervention and post-intervention audits. Process measures included statistical process run charts of monthly usage of 5% and 25% albumin and wastage. Data on length of stay (hospital and intensive care), new inpatient starts on kidney replacement and mortality were collected as balancing measures. RESULTS Appropriate albumin usage based on indication increased from 30% to 50% (p<0.0001). There was significantly less overall albumin usage in the post-intervention period compared with the pre-intervention period (negative coefficient, p<0.0001), driven by a major reduction in the utilisation of the 5% formulation (p<0.0001). Overall albumin usage was significantly lower in the post-intervention period, decreasing from 800 to 450 vials per month. The intervention resulted in significantly less wastage (negative coefficient, p=0.017). Mortality, length of stay and new starts on kidney replacement therapy remained constant throughout the study period. CONCLUSION Improved prescribing of albumin was achieved with a multifaceted approach. Substantial and sustained reductions in usage were achieved without negatively impacting patient-important outcomes. The estimated annual savings for the purchase cost of albumin was CAN $300 000. We provide a structured process for other organisations to optimise their use of albumin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corey M Forster
- Faculty of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Dimpy Modi
- Department of Medicine, Hamilton, Stockholm, Ontario, Sweden
| | - Wiley Chung
- Surgery, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kendra Derry
- Department of Anesthesiology, Unity Health Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Jennifer Flemming
- Department of Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - John McGugan
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Heather Mackulin
- Nursing, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Steven Montague
- Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Stephanie Sibley
- Department of Critical Care, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samuel A Silver
- Department of Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angela Sirosky-Yanyk
- Transfusion Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Stevens
- Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kerstin de Wit
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liying Zhang
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jeannie Callum
- Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
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Callum J, Skubas NJ, Bathla A, Keshavarz H, Clark EG, Rochwerg B, Fergusson D, Arbous S, Bauer SR, China L, Fung M, Jug R, Neill M, Paine C, Pavenski K, Shah PS, Robinson S, Shan H, Szczepiorkowski ZM, Thevenot T, Wu B, Stanworth S, Shehata N. Use of Intravenous Albumin: A Guideline From the International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines. Chest 2024:S0012-3692(24)00285-X. [PMID: 38447639 DOI: 10.1016/j.chest.2024.02.049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/08/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Albumin is used commonly across a wide range of clinical settings to improve hemodynamics, to facilitate fluid removal, and to manage complications of cirrhosis. The International Collaboration for Transfusion Medicine Guidelines developed guidelines for the use of albumin in patients requiring critical care, undergoing cardiovascular surgery, undergoing kidney replacement therapy, or experiencing complications of cirrhosis. METHODS Cochairs oversaw the guideline development process and the panel included researchers, clinicians, methodologists, and a patient representative. The evidence informing this guideline arises from a systematic review of randomized clinical trials and systematic reviews, in which multiple databases were searched (inception through November 23, 2022). The panel reviewed the data and formulated the guideline recommendations using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation methodology. The guidelines were revised after public consultation. RESULTS The panel made 14 recommendations on albumin use in adult critical care (three recommendations), pediatric critical care (one recommendation), neonatal critical care (two recommendations), cardiovascular surgery (two recommendations), kidney replacement therapy (one recommendation), and complications of cirrhosis (five recommendations). Of the 14 recommendations, two recommendations had moderate certainty of evidence, five recommendations had low certainty of evidence, and seven recommendations had very low certainty of evidence. Two of the 14 recommendations suggested conditional use of albumin for patients with cirrhosis undergoing large-volume paracentesis or with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. Twelve of 14 recommendations did not suggest albumin use in a wide variety of clinical situations where albumin commonly is transfused. CONCLUSIONS Currently, few evidence-based indications support the routine use of albumin in clinical practice to improve patient outcomes. These guidelines provide clinicians with actionable recommendations on the use of albumin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannie Callum
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Queen's University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston.
| | - Nikolaos J Skubas
- Department of Cardiothoracic Anesthesiology, Anesthesiology Institute, Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland
| | | | | | - Edward G Clark
- Division of Nephrology, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa
| | - Bram Rochwerg
- Department of Medicine and Department of Health Research Methods, Evidence and Impact, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton
| | - Dean Fergusson
- Department of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa
| | - Sesmu Arbous
- Department of Critical Care, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Seth R Bauer
- Department of Pharmacy, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland
| | - Louise China
- Department of Hepatology and ILDH, The Royal Free NHS Trust and University College London, London
| | - Mark Fung
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT
| | - Rachel Jug
- University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | - Cary Paine
- Division of Nephrology, Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
| | - Katerina Pavenski
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
| | - Prakesh S Shah
- Institute of Health Policy, Management, and Evaluation, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Department of Pediatrics, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
| | - Susan Robinson
- Department of Clinical Haematology, Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London
| | - Hua Shan
- Department of Pathology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto
| | | | - Thierry Thevenot
- Service d'Hépatologie, Centre Hospitalier Régional et Universitaire de Besançon, Besançon, France
| | - Bovey Wu
- Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate Medical Education, Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, CA
| | - Simon Stanworth
- NHS Blood and Transplant, Oxford, England; Radcliffe Department of Medicine, University of Oxford, Oxford, England; John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, England
| | - Nadine Shehata
- Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON; Transfusion Medicine Laboratory, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON
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Abstract
Symmetrical peripheral gangrene (SPG) is a disabling complication that affects a small proportion of patients who survive critical illness. Its pathogenesis reflects profoundly disturbed procoagulant-anticoagulant balance in susceptible tissue beds secondary to circulatory shock (cardiogenic, septic). There is a characteristic SPG triad: (a) shock (hypotension, lactic acidemia, normoblastemia, multiple organ dysfunction), (b) disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and (c) natural anticoagulant depletion (protein C, antithrombin). In recent years, risk factors for natural anticoagulant depletion have been identified, most notably acute ischemic hepatitis ("shock liver"), which is seen in at least 90% of patients who develop SPG. Moreover, there is a characteristic time interval (2-5 days, median 3 days) between the onset of shock/shock liver and the beginning of ischemic injury secondary to peripheral microthrombosis ("limb ischemia with pulses"), reflecting the time required to develop severe depletion in hepatically-synthesized natural anticoagulants. Other risk factors for natural anticoagulant depletion include chronic liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis) and, possibly, transfusion of colloids (albumin, high-dose immunoglobulin) lacking coagulation factors. A causal role for vasopressor therapy is unproven and is unlikely; this is because critically ill patients who develop SPG do so usually after at least 36-48 hours of vasopressor therapy, implicating a time-dependent pathophysiological mechanism. The most plausible explanation is a progressive time-dependent decline in key natural anticoagulant factors, reflecting ongoing DIC ("consumption"), proximate liver disease whether acute or chronic ("impaired production"), and colloid administration ("hemodilution"). Given these evolving concepts of pathogenesis, a rationale approach to prevention/treatment of SPG can be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore E Warkentin
- Department of Medicine, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research, Canada; Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Service of Clinical Hematology, Hamilton General Hospital, Hamilton Health Sciences, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
| | - Shuoyan Ning
- Department of Medicine, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Department of Pathology and Molecular Medicine, Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; McMaster Centre for Transfusion Research, Canada; Hamilton Regional Laboratory Medicine Program, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; St. Joseph's Healthcare, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
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