Intracranial bleedings in patients on long-term anticoagulant treatment: Benefits from oral thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors in clinical practice.

Dabigatran, a direct thrombin inhibitor and activated factor X inhibitors, rivaroxaban and apixaban, used in the prevention of stroke or systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF), have several advantages over vitamin K antagonists (VKAs). The non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been shown to reduce the risk of intracranial bleedings by 50%. The current review summarizes the available data on the epidemiology, mechanisms and treatment of intracranial bleedings observed on oral anticoagulation with the focus on the specificity of NOACs in this context.

[Hemoptysis during concomitant treatment with rivaroxaban and amiodarone in a patient with a history of pulmonary disease]. / Krwioplucie w trakcie jednoczesnego leczenia rywaroksabanem i amiodaronem u chorego z obciazonym wywiadem plucnym.

UNLABELLED: Rivaroxaban, a selective inhibitor of active factor X, is metabolized by cytochrom P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) and is a substrate for transporter protein--P-glycoprotein (P-gp). Amiodarone, an antiarrhytmic agent, is classified as moderate CYP3A4 and P-gp inhibitor. A CASE REPORT: A 75-year-old male, who underwent lobectomy for bronchiectasis many years ago, is presented. For one year the patient was treated with rivaroxaban (20 mg/d) due to venous thromboembolism and recurrent episodes of atrial fibrillation. Two weeks after amiodarone initiation (200 mg/d) hemoptysis occurred and computed tomography revealed unilateral pulmonary infiltrates with ground-glass opacities limited to the lower lobe of the left lung. The symptoms disappeared following discontinuation of the two medications and did not recur while rivaroxaban was reintroduced in a dose of 15 mg/d; measurement of anti-Xa activity confirmed it as a therapeutic dose. Amiodarone, that had been used for a short time and well tolerated a few years before, was definitely withdrawn. CONCLUSIONS: The authors suggest, that the concomitant use of rivaroxaban and amiodarone should be very careful in patients with a history of pulmonary disease.

Immune thrombocytopenia in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia treated with cladribine-based regiments or chlorambucil--follow-up of PALG-CLL randomized trials.

OBJECTIVES: The relationship between treatments of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) with cladribine (2-CdA) or chlorambucil and immune thrombocytopenia (IT) has not been yet determined. METHODS: The records of 777 patients in two randomized Polish Adult Leukemia Group (PALG)-CLL programs treated with these agents were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Immune thrombocytopenia occurred in 55 of 777 (7.1%) patients. No significant differences in IT prevalence were seen between patients on chlorambucil or 2-CdA-based regiments (P = 0.33). IT developed at a median time of 0.499 yr (0.06-4.8) from the start of CLL therapy. This time was significantly longer in patients treated with chlorambucil (2.03 yr, 95% CI: 0.06-4.22) in relation to patients treated with 2-CdA-based regiments (0.52 yr, 95%CI: 0.34-0.69, P = 0.049). Overall survival (OS) of patients with IT and those without IT were similar (2.65 yr vs. 3.2 yr P = 0.23) but the severity of bleeding was more pronounced in the 2-CdA group. The responses to IT therapy were 35%, 54% and 75% for steroids, chemotherapy and splenectomy, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, an unexpectedly high percentage of IT incidence was demonstrated in patients with CLL requiring chemotherapy. Although no marked differences were seen in IT frequency in patients treated with 2-CdA-based regiments compared to chlorambucil regimen, the clinical course of hemorrhagic diathesis was more severe in 2-CdA group. Also, the time elapsed from study screening to IT diagnosis was significantly shorter in the 2-CdA group than in the chlorambucil group suggesting a causative relationship. The appearance of IT did not influence the median time of OS.

Adherence to prophylactic treatment in adult patients with severe hemophilia in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Patient adherence to a prophylactic regimen is important for optimal benefit of hemophilia treatment. Despite a growing number of adults with hemophilia in Poland receiving secondary prophylaxis, data on adherence to the regimen are limited. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to assess adherence to secondary prophylaxis in Polish adults with severe hemophilia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were recruited in 18 hemophilia treatment centers in Poland. Adherence to prophylaxis was assessed with the Validated Hemophilia Regimen Treatment Adherence Scale Prophylaxis (VERITAS­Pro) questionnaire. RESULTS: Data on 270 men on the prophylactic regimen (median [interquartile range, IQR] age, 37 [18-75] years; mean [SD], 38.2 [13.3] years) were analyzed. Median (IQR) VERITAS­Pro score for the study population was 36 (24-76) years; mean (SD), 37.7 (9.9) years, indicating general adherence to the prophylactic regimen. The median subscale scores ranged from 4 for Dosing to 8 for Planning (means, 5.6 and 7.7, respectively). The most pronounced difference in the subscale scores between adherent and nonadherent patients was recorded for Dosing (median, 4 vs 10; mean, 5.3 vs 9.3) and Remembering (median, 5 vs 11; mean, 5.7 vs 10.7). The overall adherence rate was 94%. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show a high rate of adherence to hemophilia prophylaxis by Polish adults. Problems with the management of clotting factor stocks and remembering about the injection of the clotting factor were identified as potential barriers to adherence in adults with hemophilia in Poland.

Altered fibrin clot structure/function in patients with idiopathic venous thromboembolism and in their relatives.

We tested the hypothesis that fibrin structure/function is unfavorably altered in patients after idiopathic venous thromboembolism (VTE) and their relatives. Ex vivo plasma fibrin clot permeability, turbidimetry, and efficiency of fibrinolysis were investigated in 100 patients with first-ever VTE, including 34 with pulmonary embolism (PE), 100 first-degree relatives, and 100 asymptomatic controls with no history of thrombotic events. Known thrombophilia, cancer, trauma, and surgery were exclusion criteria. VTE patients and their relatives were characterized by lower clot permeability (P < .001), lower compaction (P < .001), higher maximum clot absorbancy (P < .001), and prolonged clot lysis time (P < .001) than controls, with more pronounced abnormalities, except maximum clot absorbance, in the patients versus relatives (all P < .01). Fibrin clots obtained for PE patients were more permeable, less compact, and were lysed more efficiently compared with deep-vein thrombosis patients (all P < .05) with no differences in their relatives. Being VTE relative, fibrinogen, and C-reactive protein were independent predictors of clot permeability and fibrinolysis time in combined analysis of controls and relatives. We conclude that altered fibrin clot features are associated with idiopathic VTE with a different profile of fibrin variables in PE. Similar features can be detected in VTE relatives. Fibrin properties might represent novel risk factors for thrombosis.

[Venous thromboembolism triggered by spinning in a young woman with thrombophilia]. / Zylna choroba zakrzepowo-zatorowa sprowokowana przez spinning u mlodej kobiety z trombofilia.

Although regular sports activities decrease the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE), VTE cases have been observed among professional and amateur athletes practicing various disciplines. The authors describe a case of a 25-year-old-woman in whom calf pain, as popliteal vein thrombosis manifestation--preceding pulmonary embolism, occurred after she took up spinning, a popular form of indoor cycling. There was no history of leg injury. In hemostasis work up, factor V Leiden mutation and acquired low antithrombin activity-related to oral contraceptives use, were found. Strenuous exercise in an untrained woman might augment prothrombotic hemostasis profile. Vigorous cycling in standing position in the last phase of spinning, seems to be most unfavorable for patients with high VTE risk.

[Central retinal artery occlusion in a 21-year-old male amateur bodybuilder]. / Zator tetnicy srodkowej siatkówki u 21-letniego mezczyzny uprawiajacego amatorsko kulturystyk.

The etiology of central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO) is usually associated with atherosclerotic risk factors and the presence of intravascular (carotid artery, aortic arch) or intracardiac embolic material. At young age, CRAO may be a manifestation of inherited or acquired thrombophilia. The authors present a case of CRAO in a 21-year-old, previously healthy, non-smoking male, with neither metabolic nor hemostatic abnormalities and with normal echocardiography. However, he had a positive family history of premature coronary heart disease and a history of anabolic-androgenic steroids (AAS) use during amateur bodybuilding. We have not found an example of CRAO in the literature on various, systemic thromboembolic complications following AAS use.

Altered fibrin clot structure/function in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that fibrin structure/function is unfavorably altered in patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke. METHODS: Ex vivo plasma fibrin clot permeability, turbidimetry, and efficiency of fibrinolysis were determined in 89 patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO) and a history of first-ever stroke, 58 patients with first-ever stroke and no PFO, and 120 healthy controls. RESULTS: Stroke patients, evaluated 3 to 19 months after the event, and controls did not differ with regard to age, sex, smoking, and fibrinogen. Stroke patients with or without PFO had lower clot permeability (P<0.0001), faster fibrin polymerization (P<0.0001), prolonged clot lysis time (P<0.0001), higher maximum D-dimer levels released from clots (P<0.0001), and maximum rate of D-dimer release (P=0.02) than controls. Time from stroke occurrence showed no association with any clot variables. Scanning electron microscopy of fibrin clots showed increased fiber diameter and density in stroke patients. Clots from stroke patients with PFO were more permeable and showed shorter lysis time compared to those without PFO, and this was related to lower proportion of smokers in the former group. CONCLUSIONS: Altered fibrin clot structure and resistance to fibrinolysis are associated with cryptogenic stroke.

[Pulmonary embolism as a first manifestation of synchronous occurrence of two neoplasms]. / Zatorowosc plucna jako pierwszy objaw synchronicznego zachorowania na dwa nowotwory.

A case of 67-year-old man with a first episode of acute, unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). Screening for cancer revealed coexistence of two neoplasms: colon sigmoid cancer (operated on 6 weeks after pulmonary embolism onset), and multiple myeloma (treated successfully with thalidomide and dexamethasone). Low molecular weight heparin use as VTE treatment was followed by thromboprophylaxis for myeloma therapy. During a 30-month follow-up period, neither new thromboembolic complications nor cancer recurrence were observed. Overlapping different prothrombotic mechanisms of double malignancy might result in detection of both neoplasms at early stage.

[Recurrent multi-focal cerebral stroke complicating Libman-Sacks endocarditis in a young woman with systemic lupus erythromatosus]. / Nawracajacy wieloogniskowy udar mózgu w przebiegu zapalenia wsierdzia Libmana-Sacksa u mlodej kobiety z toczniem rumieniowatym ukladowym.

Systemic lupus erythromatosus is often associated with an antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). A high prevalence of valvular heart disease in APS leads to increased risk of embolic events, particularly cerebrovascular. We present a patient with cerebral infarction, with positive lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies and factor V Leiden mutation. Echocardiographic examination revealed mitral valve anterior leaflet thickening and verrucous vegetations consistent with Libman-Sacks endocarditis, which is commonly associated with APS.

Mechanical methods of venous thromboembolism prevention: from guidelines to clinical practice.

The paper discusses guidelines for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE), with particular emphasis on the use of mechanical methods. Mechanical prophylaxis of VTE does not involve the risk of bleeding, which may be life­threatening. Mechanical methods are particularly recommended in patients at high risk of bleeding while on pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. Although antithrombotic prophylaxis is safe and cost­effective, there is evidence that the majority of preventive measures are applied too rarely in clinical practice, and that only a small proportion of patients receive complete and appropriate prophylaxis in the real­world clinical setting.

Genetic and clinical characterization of congenital fibrinogen disorders in Polish patients: Identification of three novel fibrinogen gamma chain mutations.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital fibrinogen disorders are poorly explored in Slavic populations. The aim of this study was to characterize the genetic background and clinical manifestations of fibrinogen disorders in the Polish case series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 27 unrelated patients (mean [SD] age, 30.4 [19.2] years, 30% men) with fibrinogen concentration (von Clauss method) < 1.8 g/L, exons and intron-exon junctions of the fibrinogen alpha chain (FGA), fibrinogen beta chain (FGB), and fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG) genes were analyzed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification followed by sequencing. RESULTS: At enrollment, 15 (55.6%) and 2 (7.4%) of patients experienced bleeding and thrombotic events, respectively, and the remainder were asymptomatic. The following congenital fibrinogen disorders were identified: 1A. afibrinogenemia, n = 1; 2A. severe hypofibrinogenemia, n = 2; 2B. moderate hypofibrinogenemia, n = 4; 2C. mild hypofibrinogenemia, n = 6; 3A. dysfibrinogenemia, n = 12; 3B. thrombotic related-dysfibrinogenemia, n = 1; 4C. mild hypodysfibrinogenemia, n = 1. Eight dysfibrinogenemic patients (62%) were carriers of hotspot mutations. Fifteen patients were heterozygous and one (afibrinogenemia) homozygous for known causative mutations. Three new heterozygous mutations were detected, all affecting splicing in FGG: fibrinogen Poznan II, a 177 bp deletion eliminating parts of intron 6 and exon 7 in a dysfibrinogenemic woman with recurrent bleeding; fibrinogen Zakopane, (intron 2 acceptor splice site) and fibrinogen Belchatow (intron 1 donor splice site), found in hypofibrinogenemic patients. During follow-up (median 60, interquartile range 10-60 months), bleeding episodes, mainly menorrhagia and easy bruising were reported in 15 (55.6%) patients. One thromboembolic event was observed. CONCLUSION: This study of the largest cohort of Slavic patients with congenital fibrinogen disorders has enabled the identification of 3 new FGG mutations and shows a high prevalence of bleeding manifestations with recurrences.

Cladribine combined with high doses of arabinoside cytosine, mitoxantrone, and G-CSF (CLAG-M) is a highly effective salvage regimen in patients with refractory and relapsed acute myeloid leukemia of the poor risk: a final report of the Polish Adult Leukemia Group.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with primary refractory AML and with early relapses have unfavorable prognoses and require innovative therapeutic approaches. Purine analogs fludarabine (FA) and cladribine (2-CdA) increase cytotoxic effect of Ara-C in leukemic blasts and inhibit DNA repair mechanisms; therefore its association with Ara-C and mitoxantrone (MIT) results in a synergistic effect. In the current report, we present the final results of multi-center phase II study evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of CLAG-M salvage regimen in poor risk refractory/relapsed AML patients. METHODS: The induction chemotherapy consisted of 2-CdA 5 mg/m2, Ara-C 2 g/m2, MIT 10 mg/m2, and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor. In the case of PR, a second CLAG-M was administered. Patients in CR received consolidation courses based on high doses of Ara-C and MIT with or without 2-CdA. RESULTS: One hundred and eighteen patients from 11 centers were registered; 78 primary resistant and 40 relapsed. Sixty-six patients (58%) achieved CR after one or two courses of CLAG-M, 49 (35%) were refractory, and 8 (7%) died early. WBC >10 g/L and age >34 yr were factors associated with increased risk of treatment failure. Hematological toxicity was the most prominent toxicity of this regimen. The probability of OS at 4 yr was 14% (95% CI 4-23%). OS was influenced by age, WBC >10 g/L and poor karyotype in both univariate and multivariate analyses. The probability of 4 yr DFS was 30% for all 66 patients in CR (95% CI 11-49%). Poor karyotype was the only factor associated with decreased probability of DFS. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that CLAG-M is a well-tolerated and highly effective salvage regimen in poor risk refractory/relapsed AML.

[Oral contraceptives use increases venous thromboembolic risk even for minor surgical procedure - a case report]. / Stosowanie doustnych srodków antykoncepcyjnych zwieksza ryzyko powiklan zakrzepowo-zatorowych nawet malego zabiegu chirurgicznego.

A case of a 25-year-old woman with life-threatening pulmonary embolism, which occurred on fourth day after appendectomy and was safely treated with alteplase infusion. Before surgery, oral contraceptive use history, as a sole venous thromboembolic risk factor has been missed and the patient did not receive perioperative, pharmacologic antithrombotic prophylaxis. Further screening for thrombophilia was negative. This case proves that contraceptives use may create, irrespectively of the woman age, a possibility of perioperative thromboembolic complications, even for such minor procedure as appendectomy.

[Severe nonthrombotic pulmonary embolism due to primary cancer of the pancreas--a case report]. / Masywna nieskrzeplinowa zatorowosc plucna w przebiegu pierwotnego raka trzustki--opis przypadku.

We describe a patient with a severe, neoplastic pulmonary embolism due to primary cancer of the pancreas. The 40-year-old male was admitted to the haematology department with an initial diagnosis of lymphoma. Transthoracic echocardiography showed a mass in the right atrium. Transoesophageal echocardiography was performed and revealed two moving tumours: the first in the extend of the vena cava superior and the second one in the tricuspid valve annulus. After bronchoscopy the patient's haemodynamic condition deteriorated and was followed by cardiac arrest. Post-mortem examination showed extensive tumour emboli in the left pulmonary artery as well as pancreatic cancer at an advanced stage.

[Antiplatelet therapy can unmask an inherited bleeding disorder. Aspirin-like defect of platelets does not protect against atherosclerosis]. / Leczenie przeciwplytkowe moze ujawnic wrodzona skaze krwotoczna. Aspirynopodobny defekt plytek krwi nie chroni przed miazdzyca

Some inherited platelet disorders may be revealed late, as in the presented case of a 68-year-old-man. Recurrent epistaxis following peri-interventional antiplatelet therapy (after three elective percutaneous coronary interventions) and an episode of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage required aspirin withdrawal and less frequent clopidogrel use. Platelet studies showed an aspirin-like defect resulting in a lack of arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation. During dose-reduced (2-3 times a week) clopidogrel administration ADP-induced platelet aggregation was effectively inhibited and neither important bleeding nor stent thrombosis occurred. The inherited defect of cyclooxygenase-1, responsible for platelet thromboxane synthesis, did not protect the patient against coronary and extra-cardiac atherosclerosis.

[Large, asymptomatic left atrial myxoma--a case report]. / Olbrzymi, bezobjawowy sluzak lewego przedsionka--opis przypadku.

We report a patient with a large, asymptomatic left atrial myxoma detected by transoesophageal echocardiography. The tumour filled the great part of the left atrium cave and led to mitral valve obstruction. Surgical management gave an excellent result.

Genetic characterization of antithrombin, protein C, and protein S deficiencies in Polish patients.

INTRODUCTION    Inherited deficiencies of natural anticoagulants such as antithrombin (AT; gene: SERPINC1), protein C (PC; PROC), and protein S (PS; PROS1), with the prevalence in the general European population of 0.02% to 0.17%, 0.2% to 0.3%, and 0.5%, respectively, are associated with increased risk of thromboembolic events. Only a few case reports of Polish deficient patients with known causal mutations have been published so far. OBJECTIVES    The aim of the study was to characterize the frequency of SERPINC1, PROC, and PROS1 mutations and their thromboembolic manifestations in patients with AT, PC, or PS deficiencies, inhabiting southern Poland. PATIENTS AND METHODS     Ninety unrelated patients (mean [SD] age, 40.1 [13.2] years) with AT (n = 35), PC (n = 28), or PS (n = 27) deficiencies, with a history of venous 73 (81%) or arterial 17 (19%) thromboembolism, were screened for mutations using the Sanger sequencing or multiplex ligation­dependent probe amplification. RESULTS    Twenty mutations (29%) described here were new, mostly in the SERPINC1 and PROC genes. Missense mutations accounted for 84% of all mutations in the PROC gene and approximately 50% of those in the SERPINC1 and PROS1 genes. In all 3 genes, the ratio of nonsense and splice-site mutations was 8% to 31% and 8% to 23%, respectively. The mutation detection rate was 90% for AT or PC when anticoagulant activity was below 70%, while for the PROS1 gene, the rate reached 80% at the free PS levels below 40%. CONCLUSIONS    To our knowledge, this is the largest cohort of Polish patients deficient in natural anticoagulants and evaluated for the causal genetic background. Several new Polish detrimental mutations were detected, mostly in AT- and PC­deficient patients.

Efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic profiles of a plasma-derived VWF/FVIII concentrate (VONCENTO®) in subjects with haemophilia A (SWIFT-HA study).

INTRODUCTION: VONCENTO® (CSL Behring) is a plasma-derived, high-concentration, low-volume, high-purity concentrate,which contains a high level of von Willebrand factor (VWF) high-molecular-weight multimers and aVWF/factor VIII (FVIII) ratio of ~2.4:1, similar to Haemate® P (CSL Behring). METHODS: The pharmacokinetic, efficacy and safety profiles of VONCENTO® were investigated in this multicentre,double-blind, randomised study. Subjects aged ≥ 12 years with haemophilia A who required treatment of nonsurgical bleeds, treatment during surgical events or who were receiving prophylaxis were included. Pharmacokinetics were investigated with a single dose of 50 IU FVIII/kg body weight of either VONCENTO® or BIOSTATE® reference product (Biostate-RP) (Day 1; Day 8 [n= 16], repeated on Day 180 [VONCENTO® only; n=15]). Efficacy and safety analyses were performed either during on-demand treatment (n=52) or prophylaxis (n=29)for ≥ 6 months and ≥ 50 exposure days, respectively. RESULTS: Besides the confirmation of bioequivalence between VONCENTO® and Biostate-RP, which displayed comparable PK profiles, haemostatic efficacy was rated by the investigators as either 'excellent' or 'good' in 96.4% of all bleeding events (96.5% spontaneous, 96.6% traumatic, 96.9% joint bleeds) as well as in 80% of major and 100% of minor surgical procedures at discharge. The median number of annualised bleeding events per subject [range] was significantly lower in the prophylaxis group (2.0 [0.0-34.6]) than in the on-demand group (14.0 [0.0-87.8], p = 0.0013).VONCENTO® was well tolerated and no inhibitory antibodies were identified during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the bioequivalence of VONCENTO® to Biostate-RP, and its excellent efficacy and safety profile in haemophilia A subjects.

Cancer procoagulant in patients with adenocarcinomas.

Cancer procoagulant (CP) is a cysteine proteinase that may be produced by malignant and foetal tissue. The possible role of CP in the pathogenesis of cancer-related thrombosis has been suggested recently. The purpose of the study was to evaluate coagulation prothrombotic markers and their relation to CP concentration in the blood of patients with gastrointestinal adenocarcinomas (GIAC). The study group consisted of 45 patients with confirmed diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (stomach, 18 patients; colon, 27 patients) and without evident metastatic disease. In 24 patients further observation showed metastases. The control group for CP was composed of 10 healthy subjects. Blood samples were drawn on the admission day, before any treatment. Among 45 patients with GIAC, deep venous thrombosis was observed in two (4.4%). In all patients the CP activity in the serum was found, and the mean CP activity shortened the coagulation time almost three times compared with the healthy control group. Also, the mean thrombin-antithrombin complex concentration was above the normal range. A significant elevation of the mean prothrombin fragment 1+2 plasma content in this group of patients was noticed. Despite these observations, CP remained within the normal range and did not correlate with thrombin-antithrombin complex or prothrombin fragment 1+2 plasma concentrations. A positive correlation was observed between serum CP and fibrinogen concentration, and a negative correlation between CP and free protein S plasma content (P = 0.04 and P = 0.025, respectively). A negative correlation between activated protein C resistance ratio and protein C activity in the plasma was confirmed. Protein C activity in the plasma showed a correlation with free protein S plasma content. Analysis of factors influencing the activated partial thromboplastin time revealed the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies in seven persons from the study group (in three cases of IgG and in four cases of IgM class). Our data suggest that CP is a minor risk factor for deep venous thrombosis in GIAC patients. To confirm this, however, the number of patients and controls should be larger. After 3 years of observation, the follow-up in 10 living GIAC patients showed nobody with thromboembolic disease.