C-reactive protein and D-dimer in cerebral vein thrombosis: Relation to clinical and imaging characteristics as well as outcomes in a French cohort study.

Introduction: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a rare disease with highly variable clinical presentation and outcomes. Clinical studies suggest a role of inflammation and coagulation in CVST outcomes. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of inflammation and hypercoagulability biomarkers with CVST clinical manifestations and prognosis. Methods: This prospective multicenter study was conducted from July 2011 to September 2016. Consecutive patients referred to 21 French stroke units and who had a diagnosis of symptomatic CVST were included. High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), D-dimer, and thrombin generation using calibrated automated thrombogram system were measured at different time points until 1 month after anticoagulant therapy discontinuation. Results: Two hundred thirty-one patients were included. Eight patients died, of whom 5 during hospitalization. The day 0 hs-CRP levels, NLR, and D-dimer were higher in patients with initial consciousness disturbance than in those without (hs-CRP: 10.2 mg/L [3.6-25.5] vs 23.7 mg/L [4.8-60.0], respectively; NLR: 3.51 [2.15-5.88] vs 4.78 [3.10-9.59], respectively; D-dimer: 950 µg/L [520-2075] vs 1220 µg/L [950-2445], respectively). Patients with ischemic parenchymal lesions (n = 31) had a higher endogenous thrombin potential5pM than those with hemorrhagic parenchymal lesions (n = 31): 2025 nM min (1646-2441) vs 1629 nM min (1371-2090), respectively (P = .0082). Using unadjusted logistic regression with values >75th percentile, day 0 hs-CRP levels of >29.7 mg/L (odds ratio, 10.76 [1.55-140.4]; P = .037) and day 5 D-dimer levels of >1060 mg/L (odds ratio, 14.63 [2.28-179.9]; P = .010) were associated with death occurrence. Conclusion: Two widely available biomarkers measured upon admission, especially hs-CRP, could help predict bad prognosis in CVST in addition to patient characteristics. These results need to be validated in other cohorts.

Analytical performances of Hemoclot Protein C Reagent on ACL TOP analyzer.

Our study aimed to evaluate and validate according to standard NF EN ISO 15189 the original protocol ajustement of Hemoclot Protein C (PC) (Hyphen BioMed), clotting-based assay of PC on ACL TOP analyzer (Werfen/Instrumentation Laboratory). We evaluated the performance in terms of imprecision and we validate additional parameters in range B required by the SH GTA 04 (COFRAC): repeatability, reproducibility, detection and quantification limits, limits of linearity, stability, inter-samples and inter-reagents contamination, inaccuracy, evaluation of interferences (hemolysis, bilirubinemia and chyles). A comparison with Hemoclot PC on STA Compact analyzer (Stago) was performed. Coefficients of variation were lower than 5 %. Detection and quantification limits were respectively 8.3 % and 9.3 %. Superior limit of linearity was 140 %. The test didn't diplay any inter-samples and inter-reagents contamination. Reagent after reconstitution was stable 6 hours on ACL TOP. No interferences were observed for hemoglobin lower than 500 mg/dL, for bilirubin lower than and for chyles lower than 300 mg/dL. Comparison with Hemoclot PC on STA analyzer (Stago) was satisfactory. Hemoclot PC adjusted on ACL TOP analyzer showed satisfactory analytical performances with criteria chosen in our study. These data allow a better knowledge of the performances of this test and were useful to make a validation file in range B as recommended by SH GTA 04.

High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin treatment in two patients with acquired factor V inhibitors.

We report two patients who developed acquired factor V (FV) inhibitors not related to exposure to bovine thrombin. Associated conditions were found in one patient (surgery, antibiotic administration) but none in the other one. Bleeding complications occurred only in the patient with idiopathic FV inhibitor, leading to packed red cell infusion. Laboratory findings showed the presence of specific FV inhibitors with titers of 5.5 and 5 Bethesda units, respectively. These two patients received high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin and FV levels normalized within a few days with a concomitant disappearance of FV inhibitors.