Risk of severe disease and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with Budd-Chiari syndrome: A population-based matched cohort study.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening disorder characterized by obstruction of the hepatic outflow tract. It is unknown whether patients with BCS represent a high risk for severe disease and mortality from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Thus, we aimed to assess hospitalization rates, severe disease, all-cause mortality, intensive care unit (ICU) requirement and acute kidney injury (AKI) from COVID-19 diagnoses. METHODS & RESULTS: We identified 467 patients with BCS with COVID-19, 96 427 non-chronic liver disease (CLD) and 9652 non-BCS CLD. The BCS and non-CLD cohorts (n = 467 each) and BCS and non-BCS CLD (n = 440 each) were well balanced after propensity matching. When compared to the non-CLD cohort, the BCS group had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (5.1% vs. 2.4%, HR 2.18; 95% CI, 1.08-4.40), severe disease (6.0% vs. 2.4%, HR 2.20; 95% CI, 1.09-4.43), hospitalization (24.6% vs. 13.1%, HR 1.77; 95% CI, 1.30-2.42) and AKI (7.9% vs. 2.8%, HR 2.57; 95% CI, 1.37-4.85), but no significant differences in ICU requirements (2.4% vs. 2.1%, HR 0.75; 95% CI, 0.27-2.08) at 60-days time points. When compared to the non-BCS CLD cohort, the BCS group had a higher risk of all-cause mortality (3.6% vs. 2.5%, HR 3.94; 95% CI, 1.31-11.79), hospitalization (29.8% vs. 21.6%, HR 1.43; 95% CI, 1.09-1.86), but differences in ICU requirements (HR 0.90 (0.38-2.12)), AKI (HR 1.41 (0.86-2.30)) or severe disease (HR 1.92 (0.99-3.71)) did not reach statistical significance at 60-day follow up. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, COVID-19 infection in patients with BCS is associated with poor outcomes. Patients with BCS infected with COVID-19 carry a significantly higher risk of hospitalization and all-cause mortality and a possible effect on severe disease and AKI compared with COVID-19 patients without CLD or with non-BCS-CLD.

A Series of Catastrophic Events

Case report - Introduction: Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare, life-threatening disease occurring in up to 1% of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) cases. It was first defined in 1992 and remains a difficult to treat entity with a mortality rate of 37%. We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and CAPS presenting with simultaneous multi-organ injuries who was successfully managed with 'triple' therapy including cyclophosphamide. Case report - Case description: A 42-year-old female presented to her local hospital with chest pain and worsening vision. She had a background of SLE, triple antibody-positive APS (previous DVT, pregnancy loss and strokes), hypertension, a metallic mitral valve, a previous myocardial infarction and pre-existing visual impairment due to a prior intra-cerebral bleed related to anticoagulation. Examination revealed a faint malar rash, cortical blindness and long tract neurological signs. Her ECG showed ischaemic changes and the admission troponin was significantly raised (3773ng/L). An echocardiogram showed new left ventricular dysfunction and a subsequent cardiac MRI was in keeping with coronary artery disease. Investigations showed an acute kidney injury, newly deranged liver function tests and a raised INR (>11, with no bleeding). Complement was normal with a low dsDNA titre. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria and a protein creatinine ratio measured 176mg/mmol. MRI diffusion weighted brain imaging showed acute bilateral occipital and left fronto-parietal infarcts. She had symptoms of a lupus flare with arthralgia and a butterfly facial rash. COVID-19 PCR tests were negative and she had not been recently vaccinated. She was diagnosed with CAPS and transferred to St Thomas' hospital intensive care. On arrival, she received 1mg intravenous vitamin K followed by triple therapy for CAPS: an unfractionated heparin infusion, oral prednisolone 40mg daily, 5 days of plasma exchange and, given her background of SLE, she was treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide (according to the EUROLUPUS regimen). Intravenous methylprednisolone was avoided due to a previous hypertensive encephalopathy reaction. She responded rapidly. Her troponin fell from a peak of 5054 to 294ng/ L, her creatinine settled at a new baseline (232umol/L) and her liver function normalised. She was switched back to warfarin due to her metallic valve and started on aspirin for cardiovascular secondary prevention. She required physical and occupational therapy due to her strokes but recovered well. Case report - Discussion: According to the 2003 criteria, CAPS can be classified as definite when there is evidence of: -3 organs involved, development of manifestations simultaneously or within a week, confirmation by imaging and/or histopathology of small vessel occlusion and positive antiphospholipid antibodies. Probable CAPS is when 3 out of the 4 criteria are present. In this case, three organs were confirmed to be involved with imaging showing cerebral and cardiac ischaemia. Her creatinine rose from a base of 190 to 289umol/L coupled with a high protein creatinine ratio confirming renal involvement. A Budd-Chiari syndrome was also suspected due to deranged liver function tests and INR, though imaging performed after therapy did not confirm this. A biopsy of any of these four organs was not feasible given the severity of her presentation and coagulopathy. There are no randomised controlled trials but data from the CAPS registry guides treatment and management follows a logical approach: anticoagulation to treat thrombosis, glucocorticoids for inflammation and plasma exchange (or IVIG) to remove the circulating autoantibodies. Triple therapy was associated with a reduced mortality compared to no treatment (28.6% versus 75%, respectively). Following analyses from the CAPS registry we also chose to treat with cyclophosphamide, which is associated with improved survival in patients with SLE. This decision was based on the clinical features of an SLE flare as opposed to serological grounds. There have b en reports of rituximab and eculizumab being used successfully in CAPS, though generally as a last resort. As complement activation is seen in animal models of antiphospholipid syndrome thrombosis and rituximab is often used in refractory SLE, they may prove to be promising agents for refractory CAPS. Case report - Key learning points: 1. Prompt recognition and early treatment is vital in managing CAPS 2. Triple therapy with anticoagulation, glucocorticoids and plasma exchange / IVIG is associated with better survival in CAPS 3. Cyclophosphamide is associated with better survival in patients with CAPS and concomitant SLE.

A Series of Catastrophic Events

Case report - Introduction: Catastrophic antiphospholipid syndrome (CAPS) is a rare, life-threatening disease occurring in up to 1% of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) cases. It was first defined in 1992 and remains a difficult to treat entity with a mortality rate of 37%. We describe a patient with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and CAPS presenting with simultaneous multi-organ injuries who was successfully managed with 'triple' therapy including cyclophosphamide. Case report - Case description: A 42-year-old female presented to her local hospital with chest pain and worsening vision. She had a background of SLE, triple antibody-positive APS (previous DVT, pregnancy loss and strokes), hypertension, a metallic mitral valve, a previous myocardial infarction and pre-existing visual impairment due to a prior intra-cerebral bleed related to anticoagulation. Examination revealed a faint malar rash, cortical blindness and long tract neurological signs. Her ECG showed ischaemic changes and the admission troponin was significantly raised (3773ng/L). An echocardiogram showed new left ventricular dysfunction and a subsequent cardiac MRI was in keeping with coronary artery disease. Investigations showed an acute kidney injury, newly deranged liver function tests and a raised INR (>11, with no bleeding). Complement was normal with a low dsDNA titre. Urinalysis revealed proteinuria and a protein creatinine ratio measured 176mg/mmol. MRI diffusion weighted brain imaging showed acute bilateral occipital and left fronto-parietal infarcts. She had symptoms of a lupus flare with arthralgia and a butterfly facial rash. COVID-19 PCR tests were negative and she had not been recently vaccinated. She was diagnosed with CAPS and transferred to St Thomas' hospital intensive care. On arrival, she received 1mg intravenous vitamin K followed by triple therapy for CAPS: an unfractionated heparin infusion, oral prednisolone 40mg daily, 5 days of plasma exchange and, given her background of SLE, she was treated with intravenous cyclophosphamide (according to the EUROLUPUS regimen). Intravenous methylprednisolone was avoided due to a previous hypertensive encephalopathy reaction. She responded rapidly. Her troponin fell from a peak of 5054 to 294ng/ L, her creatinine settled at a new baseline (232umol/L) and her liver function normalised. She was switched back to warfarin due to her metallic valve and started on aspirin for cardiovascular secondary prevention. She required physical and occupational therapy due to her strokes but recovered well. Case report - Discussion: According to the 2003 criteria, CAPS can be classified as definite when there is evidence of: -3 organs involved, development of manifestations simultaneously or within a week, confirmation by imaging and/or histopathology of small vessel occlusion and positive antiphospholipid antibodies. Probable CAPS is when 3 out of the 4 criteria are present. In this case, three organs were confirmed to be involved with imaging showing cerebral and cardiac ischaemia. Her creatinine rose from a base of 190 to 289umol/L coupled with a high protein creatinine ratio confirming renal involvement. A Budd-Chiari syndrome was also suspected due to deranged liver function tests and INR, though imaging performed after therapy did not confirm this. A biopsy of any of these four organs was not feasible given the severity of her presentation and coagulopathy. There are no randomised controlled trials but data from the CAPS registry guides treatment and management follows a logical approach: anticoagulation to treat thrombosis, glucocorticoids for inflammation and plasma exchange (or IVIG) to remove the circulating autoantibodies. Triple therapy was associated with a reduced mortality compared to no treatment (28.6% versus 75%, respectively). Following analyses from the CAPS registry we also chose to treat with cyclophosphamide, which is associated with improved survival in patients with SLE. This decision was based on the clinical features of an SLE flare as opposed to serological grounds. There have b en reports of rituximab and eculizumab being used successfully in CAPS, though generally as a last resort. As complement activation is seen in animal models of antiphospholipid syndrome thrombosis and rituximab is often used in refractory SLE, they may prove to be promising agents for refractory CAPS. Case report - Key learning points: 1. Prompt recognition and early treatment is vital in managing CAPS 2. Triple therapy with anticoagulation, glucocorticoids and plasma exchange / IVIG is associated with better survival in CAPS 3. Cyclophosphamide is associated with better survival in patients with CAPS and concomitant SLE.

Splanchnic vein thrombosis and Budd-Chiari syndrome after SARS-CoV- 2 vaccination-Incidence of VITT

Background: Several studies have been published on a rare side effect of severe venous thrombosis at unusual sites and thrombocytopenia after vaccination against SARS-CoV- 2, referred to as vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT). Aim(s): To identify new cases of acute splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) or Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) who presented following SARS-CoV- 2 vaccination in the Vascular Liver Disease Group (VALDIG) network, and to evaluate the incidence of VITT. Method(s): We conducted a prospective international cohort study between May 1st, 2021 and January 10th, 2022, on consecutive patients with acute SVT or BCS who presented within 6 weeks following any type or dose of SARS-CoV- 2 vaccination. Anonymous data were collected including baseline characteristics, risk factors, treatment and survival. Cases were identified as definite VITT, probable VITT or possible VITT or unlikely VITT as defined by Pavord et al (NEJM 2021). Result(s): 25 patients with acute (N = 24) or recurrent (N = 1) SVT or BCS were collected from 14 centers in 4 countries (after ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 N = 11, BNT162b2 N = 9, Ad26.COV2.S N = 1, mRNA-1273 N = 1). Median time after vaccination to symptoms was 10 days (2-40). Median age was 52.5 years (21-66), 52% were female. Three patients (12%) fulfilled criteria for definite VITT, 6 (24%) for probable VITT, 2 (8%) for possible VITT, 14 (56%) for unlikely VITT. Thrombosis was located in the portal vein (N = 20), hepatic vein(s) (N = 9), mesenteric vein (N = 18) or splenic vein (N = 9). Concomitant extra-abdominal thrombosis was seen in 5 patients (20%). Patients were treated with LMWH (60%), DOACs (24%) or VKA (40%). Six (2/3 with definite VITT) received IVIG. Thrombophilia was found in 5 patients and 3 had a myeloproliferative neoplasm. Conclusion(s): 25 cases of acute SVT or BCS following SARS-CoV- 2 vaccination were identified. Although definite VITT was rare (12%), no underlying disorder was identified in the majority of patients, contrary to 'typical' cases of SVT and BCS.

A newly diagnosed Budd-Chiari Syndrome with thrombotic thrombocytopenia after BTN162b2 vaccination

Objectives: Worldwide, Pfizer/BioNTech (BTN162b2) mRNA vaccine is now under massive use to be protected from COVID-19, although it may cause thrombotic thrombocytopenia in rare cases. Budd-Chiari syndrome (BCS) is a rare condition and is defined as the obstruction of hepatic venous outflow. Materials and Methods: A 34-year-old woman who was vaccinated with first dose of BTN162b2 6 weeks ago newly developed ascites, liver dysfunction, and thrombocytopenia. Results: Contrast-enhanced CT scan, doppler ultrasound, and hepatic venography showed complete obstruction of three major hepatic veins without membranous structure and without any collaterals, causing portal hypertension and liver dysfunction. Percutaneous liver biopsy showed diffusion dilation of sinusoids with extensive hepatocyte dropout, although there was no portal inflammation or fibrosis. The patient was treated with anticoagulants and intravenous immunoglobulin. After 6 weeks of anticoagulation, hepatic venous outflow became well detectable by doppler ultrasonography and ascites disappeared. Conclusion: This is a rare case of acute BCS with thrombotic thrombocytopenia after BNT162b2 mRNA vaccination.

Outcomes of Patients with Budd-Chiari Syndrome and Factors Predicting the Need for TIPS & Liver Transplantation - a Single-Center Long-Term Experience

Background: Budd-Chiari Syndrome (BCS) is a complex thrombotic disorder caused due to obstruction of hepatic venous outflow involving anywhere from small hepatic venules to the entrance of inferior vena cava into the right atrium. This leads to venous stasis and ischemic injury of hepatic parenchyma and sinusoids, with the risk of liver failure. The prognosis of patients with BCS had improved significantly with long-term anticoagulation and measures like Trans-Jugular-Intrahepatic-Porto-Systemic shunt (TIPS) and liver transplantation. We report the outcomes of patients who follow in our hematology practice and describe the factors predicting the need for TIPS/Liver Transplant. Methods: After appropriate Investigational Review Board permission, we identified patients with a history of BCS following in our thrombosis clinical practice from the year 2010 onwards. We evaluated their laboratory, demographic, anticoagulation data, Model of End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, Child-Pugh (CP) score at diagnosis or when earliest available, and other relevant clinical information as outlined. Descriptive statistics with medians, quartiles, frequencies, and percentages are reported. Further, we compared the two categories of patients who needed TIPS/Liver transplants versus those who did not. SAS version 9.4 was used for analysis. For continuous variables, a univariate nonparametric Mann-Whitney test was used. The Fisher's Exact Test was used to associate each variable with the need for TIPS/Liver Transplant. Results: Our study included 23 patients with baseline characteristics, including median age of 36 years (11-59 years), 91% whites, 61% females, 44% smokers, 61% obese(median BMI 29.9 kg/m 2), 6 of 14 women on oral contraceptive pills, 22% with thrombosis history, 17% with stroke history, median hemoglobin 13.4 gm/dL(8.9-20 gm/dL), white blood cell count 9,400/L (3,050-31,500/L), platelet count 294,000/L(14,000-767,000/L), serum creatinine 0.87 mg/L (0.55-2.52 mg/dL), total protein 6.3 gm/dL (5.2-8.8 gm/dL), Bilirubin 2.1 mg/dL(0.1-20.2 mg/dL), Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) 61 U/L(16-1037 U/L), Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) 43U/L(18-1694 U/L), MELD score 15 (range 7-38), CP score 9 (5-14), 74% with cirrhosis, 82% with ascites at one point, 57% with myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), 4.3% with Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH), 17% with Antiphospholipid antibodies positive (APS), 13% had positive antinuclear antibodies, 35% needed TIPS and 44% required liver transplantation. 57% with Janus Kinase (JAK2) V617F mutation (1 patient with a low variant allele frequency of 1%), 1 patient (4.3%) had Calreticulin (CALR) mutation positive MPN, 91% remained on long-term anticoagulation with 40% using warfarin, 35% apixaban, 9% Enoxaparin or Rivaroxaban for long-term anticoagulation, 13% developed heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). 8.7% had developed BCS after Ad26.COV2.S vaccine to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. Excluding the patients with missing variables, 5 of 12 had Protein C deficiency, 3 or 10 had Protein S deficiency, 8 of 20 with Antithrombin (AT) deficiency, 4 of 14 with heterozygous factor V Leiden mutation, 0 of 10 with prothrombin gene mutation, 1 of 13 with hyper-homocysteinemia. 35% had gastrointestinal bleeding though 65% of patients had evidence of varices by endoscopy. When the group needing TIPS/Liver transplant/died is compared to those who did not, they had higher bilirubin, MELD, PC score, AT deficiency, cirrhosis, ascites, and JAK2 mutation (p-value significant: Table 1). With a median follow-up of 90 months, overall survival was not statistically significant between the two groups (Figure 1). Two patients (8.7%) died out of a total of 23. Conclusions: Our data indicate that in patients with BCS, neoplasms (61%), particularly MPN (57%), are very commonly diagnosed. Compared to the historical data in patients with BCS with dismal prognosis (60-80% six-month mortality rate), the overall survival had significantly improved, likely due to supportive measures like TIPS/Liver transplant and long-ter anticoagulation. Outside the established variables like CP and MELD, lower antithrombin activity and positive JAK2 mutation status also predicted a higher TIPS/Liver transplant need. [Formula presented] Disclosures: Bhatt: Partnership for health analytic research, LLC: Consultancy;Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding;Jazz: Research Funding;Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding;Pfizer: Research Funding;Tolero Pharmaceuticals, Inc: Research Funding;National Marrow Donor Program: Research Funding;Abbvie: Consultancy, Research Funding;Genentech: Consultancy;Servier Pharmaceuticals LLC: Consultancy;Rigel: Consultancy. Gundabolu: BioMarin Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy;Blueprint Medicines: Consultancy;Bristol-Myers Squibb Company: Consultancy;Pfizer: Research Funding;Samus Therapeutics: Research Funding.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Vascular Liver Diseases.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Vascular liver diseases (VLDs) are represented mainly by portosinusoidal vascular disease (PSVD), noncirrhotic splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT), and Budd Chiari syndrome (BCS). It is unknown whether patients with VLDs constitute a high-risk population for complications and greater coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related mortality from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Our objective was to assess the prevalence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection among patients with VLDs, as well as to assess its impact on hepatic decompensation and survival. METHODS: This is an observational international study analyzing the prevalence and severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection in VLDs between March 2020 and March 2021, compared with the general population (GP). Patients from Spain (5 centers; n = 493) and France (1 center; n = 475) were included. RESULTS: Nine hundred sixty-eight patients were included: 274 with PSVD, 539 with SVT, and 155 with BCS. Among them, 138 (14%) were infected with SARS-CoV-2: 53 with PSVD, 77 with SVT, and 8 with BCS. The prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with PSVD (19%) and SVT (14%) was significantly higher than in the GP (6.5%; P < .05), whereas it was very similar in patients with BCS (5%). In terms of infection severity, patients with VLDs also presented a higher need of hospital admission (14% vs 7.3%; P < .01), intensive care unit admission (2% vs 0.7%; P < .01), and mortality (4% vs 1.5%; P < .05) than the GP. Previous history of ascites (50% vs 8%; P < .05) and post-COVID-19 hepatic decompensation (50% vs 4%; P < .05) were associated with COVID-19 mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with PSVD and SVT could be at higher risk of infection by SARS-CoV-2 and at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease.

Budd-Chiari Syndrome: A Case Report of a Rare Presentation of COVID-19.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) predominantly involves the respiratory system and shows a wide range of severity. There is a growing body of evidence about the occurrence of thromboembolic events in COVID-19. Case Report: We report the case of a 48-year-old female patient who presented with sudden-onset abdominal pain. Physical examination revealed ascites and tender hepatomegaly. Subsequently, abdominal computed tomography was performed which revealed thrombosis in the hepatic vein and inferior vena cava in keeping with Budd-Chiari Syndrome. The patient was started on low-molecular-weight heparin and supportive care. Clinical improvement was observed over the course of the treatment and the patient was discharged after 10 days from the presentation. Thromboembolic events could be the first manifestation of COVID-19. Early recognition of these complications is crucial for prompt management.

Atypical COVID-19 presentation with Budd-Chiari syndrome leading to an outbreak in the emergency department.

We described a case report of a 50 years-old-woman admitted to the emergency department with abdominal pain associated with febrile hepatosplenomegaly with the final diagnosis of suprahepatic vein thrombosis secondary to COVID-19. Initially, this patient stayed out of a private room because of this atypical presentation and caused a COVID-19 outbreak in the emergency department.

[Treatment strategies of Budd-Chiari syndrome during the epidemic period of 2019 coronavirus disease].

Prevention and control about the situation of 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19) are grim at present. In addition to supporting the frontline actively, medical workers in general surgery spare no efforts in making good diagnosis and treatment of specialized diseases by optimizing treatment process, providing medical advice online, mastering indications of delayed operation and emergency operation reasonably, etc. Budd-Chiari syndrome is a complex disorder, and severity of the disease varies, serious cases can be life threatening. While fighting the epidemic, medical workers should also ensure the medical needs of patients. However, instead of continuing the traditional treatment, a new management system should be developed. Based on the characteristics of Budd-Chiari syndrome patients in China and our experience, patients are divided into ordinary cases and critical cases, and treatment strategies suitable for the epidemic period of COVID-19 are put forward for reference and discussion by physicians.