D-Dimer and Fibrinogen Values according to the Localization of Deep Venous Thrombosis.

D-dimer and fibrinogen are nonspecific diagnostic biomarkers for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The aim of this article was to present the values of D-dimer and fibrinogen in relation to the anatomical localization of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). This was an observational study, which included 1,142 patients hospitalized from 2010 to 2019 at the Department of Angiology, Clinical Center University of Sarajevo. Data on gender, age, and thrombosis location were collected of all patients. Fibrinogen and D-dimer values were available for 983 and 500 patients, respectively. Thrombosis location was classified as iliofemoral (521-45.6% patients), femoral-popliteal (486-42.6% patients), isolated calf DVT (63-5.5% patients), and upper extremity DVT (UEDVT in 72-6.3% patients). A majority, 448 (89.6%), of patients had high D-dimer (the cutoff is 0.55 mg/L) and 662 (67.3%) patients had high fibrinogen (reference range: 1.8-3.8 g/L). The highest D-dimer was detected in patients with iliofemoral DVT (mean: 10.48 mg/L), χ2 = 50.78, p = 0.00. The highest fibrinogen was detected in patients with iliofemoral DVT as well (mean 4.87 g/L), χ2 = 11.1, p = 0.01. D-dimer and fibrinogen values are significantly higher in patients iliofemoral DVT than femoral-popliteal and isolated calf DVT, and D-dimer values are significantly higher in lower extremity DVT than UEDVT, but these biomarkers cannot be used alone to discriminate between thrombosis locations. Further imaging is required.

Epidemiology of hospitalized patients with peripheral arterial disease in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Aim To investigate a profile of patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Methods This observational study included 1022 patients hospitalized at the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo in a 5-year period, 2015 to 2019. Results Disease prevalence rises sharply after the age of 50. Most patients, 797 (78%) had proximal PAD; 658 (64.4%) were males. The death occurred in 73 (7.1%) patients, more often in females (66- 10%), and in patients with chronic kidney disease (10- 23.8%). Amputation occurred in 153 (15%) patients, where 102 (66.7%) patients had diabetes. Other surgical procedures were more common in males and smokers. Necrosis and phlegmon on lower extremities were found in 563 (55.1%) and 43 (4.2%) patients, respectively. History of tobacco use was noted in 620 (60.2%) patients, and 414 (40.8%) patients were current smokers. More than a half of patients had hypertension and diabetes, 596 (58.3%) and 513 (50.2%), respectively. One in 10 patients had a history of myocardial infarction or stroke. Most patients had high fibrinogen and blood glucose and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Conclusion Patients with PAD have multiple comorbidities and risk for various complications. Primary and secondary prevention of risk factors is the mainstay of treatment.

Provoked venous thromboembolism during ten-year follow up at the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo.

Aim To determine risk factors for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in hospitalized patients in a 10-year follow-up. Methods In this observational study data were collected from the disease history of patients admitted to the Department of Angiology of the Clinical Centre University of Sarajevo in the period of 10 years (2008-2017). Of 6246 hospitalized patients, 1154 were with established diagnosis of DVT and included in the study as a basic inclusion criterion. Results Provoked venous thromboembolism was recorded in 45.75% of hospitalized patients. In 54.25% cases DVT was classified as idiopathic; in the remaining cases with DVT external risk factors were identified. Every fourth patient had a history of malignancy, and this risk factor was significantly more common among women and younger patients. Cancer of female reproductive organs, colon, lung, breast and prostate cancer were most common. One of 10 women had DVT during pregnancy or postpartum period. Out of the total number, 10.9% patients had DVT after surgery, 2.3% after injury. DVT was found in 1.6% of drug addicts. Rethrombosis was diagnosed in 5.2% patients within a year, while 9.2 % patients had rethrombosis within five years. Conclusion Provoked venous thromboembolism is an entity that can be prevented. Malignancy and surgical treatment are the most common risk factors and these patients should be treated with special care. The creation of a register of patients with venous thromboembolism in Bosnia and Herzegovina would enable the development of a preventive strategy in the groups of patients at risk.

Venous Thromboembolism During Ten-year Follow up on Clinical Center University of Sarajevo.

INTRODUCTION: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) consists of two entities, deep venous thrombosis (DVT), and its complication, pulmonary embolism (PE). The main therapeutic goal is the prevention of this complication. AIM: The aim of the study was to present epidemiological data of patients with the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis, with regard to the location of thrombosis, the value of fibrinogen and D-dimer in relation to the sex of the patients, the presentation of therapeutic modality, with the presentation of PE and treatment outcomes. METHODS: The study has a retrospective and observational feature, covering the period from 2008 to 2017, and included 1154 patients with the diagnosis of deep venous thrombosis as a basic criterion for inclusion. Data on sex, age, diagnosis with thrombosis localization, hospitalization duration, administered therapy, D-dimer and fibrinogen values, pulmonary thromboembolism and mortality were collected. RESULTS: The deep venous thrombosis was mostly located at the lower limbs - in 1079 respondents (93.5%), then at the upper limbs in 65 (5.63%) cases. The left side is more represented (58.9%) than the right (40.3%), which is statistically significant (χ2=40.03, p<0.005), while 0.9% of patients had DVT bilaterally. At the lower limbs is the most common iliac thrombosis, represented in 47% of thrombosis cases at the lower limbs. Subclavian axillary thrombosis has been reported in ¾ cases at the upper limbs. The mean fibrinogen concentration in all respondents is 5.2 mg/L, for men 5.0 mg/L and for women 5.3 mg/L, above the reference values (1.8-3.8 g/L). The mean value of D-dimer was 7.33 mg/L for all respondents, 8.46 mg/L for women and 6.5 mg/L for men, which was high above the reference limit (0.55 mg/L). From baseline, 88 (7.6%) of respondents had proven/high-grade pulmonary thromboembolism as a DVT complication in the observed period. Pearson correlation established a positive correlation between lethal outcome and patient age, r=0.13, p<0.005, followed by a higher incidence of lethal outcome after DVT in older patients. CONCLUSION: The incidence of venous thromboembolism is approximately equal among the genders, and increases with the age of the patients, especially in men. Fibrinogen and D-dimer values in hospitalized patients are higher than the reference, in both cases more among women. Multidisciplinary approach to patients, in cooperation with angiologists, pulmonologists, cardiologists and nuclear medicine specialists is an imperative. The development of a state-level registry that would follow the incidence of deep venous thrombosis, with reference to risk factors, is imperative and necessary in planning of community health system.

Health Effects of the Programmed Physical Activities on Lipid Profile in Peripheral Arterial Disease of the Lower Extremities.

AIMS: Determine health effects of programmed physical activities on blood fats in peripheral arterial disease of lower limbs or in examinees on medication therapy and examinees performing programmed physical activities along with the medication therapy. METHODS: Overall research has been carried out at the Clinic for Vascular Disease CCUS. Before involvement into the study, examinees had to meet the inclusion criteria. Research was carried out as randomized controlled trial including 100 patients with arterial disease of lower limbs, who meet inclusion criteria: control group (CG, n=50) and test group (TG, n=50). Total level of cholesterol was used for effects assessment of 28 weeks of applied programmed activity in patients. RESULTS: Values of total cholesterol (tCh) and triglycerides before and after treatment in patients of CG and TG showed statistically significant change of its mean values. Significant decrease were marked in tCh and triglycerides levels in TG compared to CG. CONCLUSION: Adequate programmed physical activities in patients with peripheral vascular disease appeared as very successful in treated patients. Results indicate statistically significant decrease of the cholesterol and triglycerides after the treatment. Physical activity used in the treatment made partial regression of arterial diseases and saved patients for undergoing to surgery. Lower level of total cholesterol represents a ten year period prevention of initial stage in progress of arterial diseases.

Risk factors for cerebrovascular events: end-diastolic flow velocity.

INTRODUCTION: There are very few studies analysing blood flow velocity parameters of common carotid arteries (CCA), obtained with color Doppler examination as a predictor in cerebrovascular events (CVE). In everyday clinical practice there are number of patients (pts) without carotid stenosis or occlusion but with decreased blood flow velocities. AIM: We performed this study to compare data of velocity parameters with type of cerebrovascular events (CVE) and multiple risk factors in patients without stenotic or occlusive extracranial disease. METHODS: We included total of 127 consecutive patients who experienced various subtypes of cerebrovascular events, 68 females, 59 males, mean age 70.2 +/- SD 12.4 years, out of them 48 pts. had transients ischemic attacs (TIAs), 31 pts. had recurrent TIAs (recTIAs), 32 pts. developed ischemic stroke (IS), and 16 recurrent IS (recIS). All patients were without hemodynamically significant carotid stenosis or occlusion. As a control group we took 50 patients with comparable mean age and gender distribution, all without cerebrovascular events, but with at least 1 multiple risk factor. We included the following clinical variables: age, gender, hypertension, tobacco smoking, hyperlipidemia, obesity, diabetes mellitus. Velocity parameters were: peak-systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI). Examination was performed on distal portion of CCA, and we took the mean of both CCA. RESULTS: Hemodynamic parameters in CVE pts were: PSV 83.5 cm/sec, EDV 19.5 cm/sec, PI 1.54, and RI 0.77, and in Controls values were: PSV 87.5 cm/sec, EDV 28.5 cm/sec, PI 1.42, RI 0.67, respectively. No sign. diff. in PSV and PI were found between CVE (n=127) and Controls (n=50), p = 0.2, while difference in EDV was significant, p < 0.01. We found significance for the following variables: age, tobacco smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and obesity. The best single predictors for CVE were: age (70.1%, p < 0.01), tobacco smoking (63%, p < 0.01, hypertension (52.8%, p < 0.01) and obesity (51.2%, p < 0.01). and among hemodynamic parameters, end-diastolic velocity less than 18 cm/sec (p < 0.05). Decreased EDV (below 18 cm/sec) revealed a significant association with CVE. CONCLUSIONS: (a) we found significantly lower EDV in pts with IS and recIS, (b) EDV below 18 cm/sec was the best single predictor of IS, and recIS, (c) in our CVE pts--age, tobacco smoking, hypertension, obesity, were the best single predictors for CVE.

[Arterial hypertension as a risk factor for multifocal atherosclerosis]. / Arterijska hipertenzija kao riziko-faktor za multifokalnu aterosklerotsku bolest.

BACKGROUND: It is well known that atherosclerosis as systemic disease have a significant correlation with score of multiple risk factors (MRF). Atherosclerosis as a multifocal disease, produces multisegmental stenotic changes of various arterial segments which arises simultaneously as a pre-existing asymptomatic disease. Aim of this study is to evaluate the presence of multifocal atherosclerotic disease among pts. with predominant arterial occlusive disease (AOD), and to correlate arterial hypertension as a major independent risk factor and multifocal atherosclerotic disease. METHODS: We included 109 consecutive patients treated at our Institute in the period Dec 1999--Dec 2000, all with clear arterial occlusive disease (AOD). According to Fontaine clinical staging of their AOD, we made three groups--group FII, clinical stage Fontaine II 63 pts, group FIII, clinical stage Fontaine III 32 pts, and group FIV, clinical stage Fontaine IV 14 pts. We evaluated clinical variables: age, gender, arterial hypertension (HTA), tobacco, hyperlipidemia (HLP), obesity (BMI), diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease (CHD), and cerebrovascular disease (CVD). Score of MRF is calculated as x/9. Special focus has been made to pts. with positive HTA. All pts. were evaluated according to clinical evidence of CHD and CVD, respectively. RESULTS: We had 109 pts, 89 males and 20 females, average age of 62 yrs, males 63 and females 60 yrs. In the FII group were 63 pts. with average MRF 4.27, in the FIII group 32 pts. with MRF 3.97, in the FIV group 14 pts. with MRF 3.93. Out of the total number of pts. 52 were hypertensive (47.7%), 41 males, and 11 females, with average age 64.8 yrs, males, and 61.8 yrs, females. Isolated systolic HTA had 33 pts. (63.5%), and 19 pts. (36.5%) systolic and diastolic HTA. In whole group (n-109), multifocal disease, AOD + CHD, had 22 (20.21%) pts. (MRF score 4.86), AOD + CVD had (5.5%) 6 pts. (MRF score 3.66) and AOD + CHD + CVD had 8 (7.33%) patients (MRF score 6.13). In hypertensive pts. multifocal atherosclerotic disease, AOD + CHD, had 12 pts. (23.1%), and AOD + CHD + CVD, 2 pts (7.6%). Among clinical variables, tobacco was of high risk, 97 pts. positive (89.9%), what is of high significance, p < 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: We have a clear connection of multifocal disease with elevated MRF score, especially clinical variables, smoking (p < 0.001) and arterial hypertension (p < 0.01). Multifocal atherosclerotic disease was present in 36 pts. (33.1%), and among hypertensive pts. multifocal atherosclerotic disease was present in 14 pts. (26.9%). There is a high positive correlation rank of multifocal disease, HTA and score of MRF, r = .70, and borderline correlation rank of multifocal disease and score of MRF, r = .40.