Using the Caprini Risk Score to Increase Awareness of Venous Thrombus Embolism in the Community: Know Your Score II.

To assess individual participants' baseline thrombosis risk calculated by Caprini Risk Score (CRS) before injury, illness, or hospitalization occur, to increase the awareness of venous thromboembolism (VTE) by viewing 2 short videos. A cross-sectional study was conducted online between August 2022 and January 2023 in the USA, UK, and India to assess the risk of thrombosis of individuals as a baseline. One nursing practitioner and 4 high school students were on the research team. Descriptive statistical methods were used in data analysis. A total of 928 usable completed questionnaires from 945 participants were analyzed. The mean CRS was 4.93 ± 3.175; 0 to 4 (N = 460, 49.6%), 5 to 8 (N = 394, 42.5%), and 9 (N = 74: 8.0%). History of blood clots (N = 247, 26.6%), <40 years old (N = 133, 52.6%); women on oral contraceptives (N = 324, 34.9%), history of smoking (30%), diabetes (26%), and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; 17.3%). Top-level findings: High incidence of family history of thrombosis (26.6%), smoking, diabetes, contraceptives, and IBD. The average CRS (7.9) in patients over 75 years indicates that even a minor surgical procedure may be associated with significant VTE risk. We achieved an important goal by increasing awareness of VTE using this unique method involving high school students and a nurse working with friends and families to complete the CRS assessment. Encouraging the respondents to share information with their personal physicians prior to the event and keep these data in their medical file is a potential valuable source of saving time. This study emphasizes the importance of individuals collecting baseline information prior to illness or hospitalization.

Venous Thrombus Embolism in Polytrauma: Special Attention to Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.

Venous thrombus embolism (VTE) is common after polytrauma, both of which are considered significant contributors to poor outcomes and mortality. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is recognized as an independent risk factor for VTE and one of the most common components of polytraumatic injuries. Few studies have assessed the impact of TBI on the development of VTE in polytrauma patients. This study sought to determine whether TBI further increases the risk for VTE in polytrauma patients. A retrospective, multi-center trial was performed from May 2020 to December 2021. The occurrence of venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism from injury to 28 days after injury was observed. Of 847 enrolled patients, 220 (26%) developed DVT. The incidence of DVT was 31.9% (122/383) in patients with polytrauma with TBI (PT + TBI group), 22.0% (54/246) in patients with polytrauma without TBI (PT group), and 20.2% (44/218) in patients with isolated TBI (TBI group). Despite similar Glasgow Coma Scale scores, the incidence of DVT in the PT + TBI group was significantly higher than in the TBI group (31.9% vs. 20.2%, p < 0.01). Similarly, despite no difference in Injury Severity Scores between the PT + TBI and PT groups, the DVT rate was significantly higher in the PT + TBI group than in the PT group (31.9% vs. 22.0%, p < 0.01). Delayed anticoagulant therapy, delayed mechanical prophylaxis, older age, and higher D-dimer levels were independent predictive risk factors for DVT occurrence in the PT + TBI group. The incidence of PE within the whole population was 6.9% (59/847). Most patients with PE were in the PT + TBI group (64.4%, 38/59), and the PE rate was significantly higher in the PT + TBI group compared to the PT (p < 0.01) or TBI (p < 0.05) group. In conclusion, this study characterizes polytrauma patients at high risk for VTE occurrence and emphasizes that TBI markedly increases the incidence of DVT and PE in polytrauma patients. Delayed anticoagulant therapy and delayed mechanical prophylaxis were identified as the major risk factors for a higher incidence of VTE in polytrauma patients with TBI.

Safety and Efficacy of Low Molecular Weight Heparin for Thromboprophylaxis in the Elderly: A Network Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

Background: Given their changing pathophysiology, elderly patients carry a high risk of embolism and bleeding events; hence, use of appropriate anticoagulants is very important. Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is one of the most widely used anticoagulants although LMWHs differ in their anti-Xa, antithrombin, and anticoagulant activities. To date, no study has directly compared the safety and efficacy of different LMWHs in the elderly. We aimed to compare such differences by conducting a network meta-analysis. Methods: We searched the Pubmed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of LMWHs that included patients ≥60 years old up to July 22, 2020. Safety outcomes included venous thromboembolism (VTE) or VTE-related death, deep thrombus embolism, and pulmonary embolism. Safety outcomes were clinically relevant bleeding, major bleeding, minor bleeding, and all-cause death. We calculated relative ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for all outcomes. The cumulative ranking probabilities (SUCRA) were conducted to rank the comparative effects and safety of all LMWHs. Results: We included 27 RCTs (30,441 elderly), comprising five LMWHs. LMWH was more effective than placebo in preventing VTE or VTE-related death (RR 0.36, 95% CI 0.25-0.53) but less effective than a novel oral anticoagulant (RR 1.59, 95% CI 1.33-1.91) and safer than acenocoumarol regarding risk of clinically relevant bleeding (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49-0.90). However, indirect comparison of efficacy and safety of the five LMWHs showed no significant difference in our network analysis, and the subgroup analyses (such as in patients with deep venous thrombosis, cardiac disease, or age >65 years old) supported the results. The SUCRA showed that tinzaparin performed best in preventing VTE or VTE-related death (SUCRA 68.8%, cumulative probability 42.3%) and all-cause death (SUCRA 84.2%, cumulative probability 40.7%), whereas nadroparin was predominant in decreasing the risk of clinically relevant bleeding (SUCRA 84.8%, cumulative probability 77.0%). Conclusions: On present evidence, there are no significant differences in the efficacy and safety of different LMWHs for the elderly. According to the rank probability analysis, nadroparin seems to be safer for the elderly with a high risk of bleeding, whereas tinzaparin is more effective for those with low bleeding risk.

Risk factors for pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19: a systemic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To detect the risk factors for pulmonary embolism (PE) in patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Studies were searched for in PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and EMBASE. Two authors independently screened articles and extracted data. The data were pooled by meta-analysis and three subgroup analyses were performed. RESULTS: Of the 2210 articles identified, 27 studies were included. Pooled analysis suggested that males (odds ratio (OR) 1.49, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.26-1.75, P = 0.000), obesity (OR 1.37, 95% CI 1.03-1.82, P = 0.033), mechanical ventilation (OR 3.34, 95% CI 1.90-5.86, P = 0.000), severe parenchymal abnormalities (OR 1.92, 95% CI 1.43-2.58, P = 0.000), ICU admission (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.48-4.03, P = 0.000), and elevated D-dimer and white blood cell values (at two time points: hospital admission or closest to computed tomography pulmonary angiography) (P = 0.000) correlated with a risk for PE occurrence in COVID-19 patients. However, age and common comorbidities had no association with PE occurrence. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography, unclear-ratio/low-ratio, and hospitalization subgroups had consistent risk factors with all studies; however, other subgroups had fewer risk factors for PE. CONCLUSIONS: Risk factors for PE in COVID-19 were different from the classic risk factors for PE and are likely to differ in diverse study populations.

Improvement of late life depression after therapeutic enoxaparin: two case reports.

OBJECTIVE: Late life depression (LLD) may have a significant vascular component. While this organic basis remains controversial it would explain the refractory nature of LLD. Moreover, depression is a risk factor for venous thrombus embolism (VTE). This paper aims to describe two elderly patients with LLD who developed and were treated for pulmonary embolism (PE). METHODS: Two cases of elderly patients who developed PE while they were undergoing inpatient treatment for depression are presented. This is discussed using the vascular and the cytokine hypotheses of depression as an explanatory framework. RESULTS: Both patients showed significant clinical improvement in their mental state following therapeutic enoxaparin despite no other changes to their management of depression. This observed benefit of enoxaparin can be explained by the vascular hypothesis of LLD, and possibly the cytokine hypothesis of major depression. CONCLUSION: Enoxaparin may be a novel adjunct to the treatment of depression in elderly patients. The possible benefit of enoxaparin would require further study to exclude a coincidence in these clinical cases.

The changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To prospectively study the changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train.Method From December 2013 to August 2015,following the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria,50 volunteers and 20 high speed rail crew member were recruited.Blood samples were collected,and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed in general information,and recorded activities (including walking distance,number of steps,etc.) and drinking water volume,before and after travel.Results After 5 hours in the train,in all the participants venous blood coagulation indicators were on the rise.Doppler ultrasound examination showed:the lower extremity venous diameter increased,the venous return slowed down,the leg circumference diameter increased (all P ＜ 0.05).High speed rail crew had increased leg circumference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 5 hours high-speed train travelling increases the likelihood of economy class syndrome.High speed rail crew working 10 hrs are with increased circumference of the lower extremity veins.

The changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train / 中华普通外科杂志

Objective To prospectively study the changes of venous blood before and after travel by high speed train.Method From December 2013 to August 2015,following the appropriate inclusion and exclusion criteria,50 volunteers and 20 high speed rail crew member were recruited.Blood samples were collected,and lower extremity venous ultrasound was performed in general information,and recorded activities (including walking distance,number of steps,etc.) and drinking water volume,before and after travel.Results After 5 hours in the train,in all the participants venous blood coagulation indicators were on the rise.Doppler ultrasound examination showed:the lower extremity venous diameter increased,the venous return slowed down,the leg circumference diameter increased (all P ＜ 0.05).High speed rail crew had increased leg circumference (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion 5 hours high-speed train travelling increases the likelihood of economy class syndrome.High speed rail crew working 10 hrs are with increased circumference of the lower extremity veins.

The Anti-platelet/Anti-coagulation strategy and Prognosis in Coronary Artery Disease Patients Combining With Atrial Fibrillation After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention / 中国循环杂志

Objective: To explore the correlation between antithrombotic strategy and its prognostic value in coronary artery disease (CAD) patients combining with atrial ifbrillation (AF) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Methods: A total of 570 CAD patients with AF received PCI in our hospital from 2012-01 to 2013-12 were retrospectively analyzed by CHADS2 and HAS-BLED Score system. According to CHADS2 Results: Compared with Low risk of stroke group, the patients in High risk of stroke group had the worse prognosis and higher rate of MACCE occurrence,P0.05. The major bleeding events in patients with warfarin were a little higher than those without warfarin,P>0.05. The minor bleeding events were increased in both Low risk stroke group asP Conclusion: Warfarin medication may obviously decrease the occurrence rates of MACCE and ischemic events in high risk of stroke patients, while in low risk patients, warfarin could not further decrease the occurrence of MACCE and ischemic events. Warfarin could increase the risk for minor bleeding in both low risk and high risk of stroke in CAD patients combining with AF after PCI.

Evaluation of clinical pathway in pulmonary thrombus embolism / 重庆医学

Objective To evaluate the effect of clinical pathway in pulmonary thrombus embolism (PTE) .Methods 60 cases of PTE were admitted department of respiratory from 2011 to 2012 and divided into the experimental group and the control group ,30 cases for each group .The control group was implemented with normal process of hospital management while experimental group de-veloped clinical pathways .The efficacy ,department of respiratory drug costs ,complications and patient satisfaction were recorded and computed .Results The average department of respiratory and drug costs in experimental group respectively was (17 .13 ± 2 .22)days ,(16 545 .04 ± 1 557 .44) RMB and (7 050 .83 ± 372 .74) RMB ;less than (19 .77 ± 3 .41)day ,(17 709 .45 ± 1 902 .05) RMB and (7 345 .75 ± 450 .82) RMB in control group ,there were significant difference between the two groups (P0 .05) .Conclusion The effect of clinical pathway in PTE have a positive role in reducing hospitalization time ,total costs ,drug costs and increasing satisfaction ,it is worth to develop in primary hos-pital .

Who are at risk for thromboembolism after arthroplasty? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Thromboembolism, including deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a grave threat to patients undergoing total joint replacement. Using a systematic review and meta-analysis we asked whether gene mutations or polymorphisms could be risk factors for thrombosis after arthroplasty. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive search of Medline, PubMed, Embase, Cochrane databases, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), and Google Scholar, and identified 19 studies detailing genetic investigations of patients with thromboembolism following joint replacement. RESULTS: Our meta-analyses included 5149 patients who underwent arthroplasty surgery. Significant associations with venous thromboembolism were identified for factor G1691A (odds ratio (OR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03 - 1.94, p=0.03), prothrombin G20210A (OR 2.16, 95% CI, 1.27- 3.69, p=0.005), and MTHFR/C677T/TT (OR 2.36, 95% CI 1.03 - 5.42, p=0.04) in Caucasian populations. No significant gene mutation was identified in Asian populations. CONCLUSION: This study suggests a way to identify patients scheduled for arthroplasty who are at higher risk of thrombosis, enabling individualized treatment.

Cloning of human tissue-type plasminogen activator(t-PA) cDNA, construction of its ad-enovirus vector and its expression in small-diameter vascular anastomotic sites in vivo / 医学研究生学报

Objectives:To study the effects of gene therapy with tissue type plasminogen activator(t PA)cDNA on the formation of thrombo embolism in vascular anastomotic sites. Methods:①The cDNA encoding t PA was amplified by RT PCR using the isolated total RNA as the template from the Bowes melanoma cells.②Recombinant plasmid pAdCMV t PA was cotransfected into 293 cells with pJMa 17 ,and the infectious but replication deficient AdCMV t PA was generated.③The rats were randomly divided into the control and treatment groups.11 0 nylone medical suture was applied to perform rat carotid artery end to end anastomoses.In the treatment group,AdCMV t PA solution was injected into the vascular anastomotic site while AdCMV (no containing t PA DNA) solution was injected into the control group. By means of RT PCR and chromogenic plasmin substrates,the following results were obtained. Results:①The t PA cDNA was successfully cloned and its eukaryotic expressing vector was constructed.②When the isolated RNA was performed with RT PCR,1.69 kb band appeared in the treatment group while the band could not be found in the control group.The t PA activity could be detected postoperatively on the 1st,2 nd,3 rd,4 th,5 th,6 th,7 th,10 th and 13 th day of the treatment,but could not be detected in the control group. Conclusions:The t PA gene can produce t PA having biological activity at anastomotic sites, possibly prevent the formation of thrombus embolism effectively and develop the anastomotic patency.