Reported prevalence of von Willebrand disease worldwide in relation to income classification.

INTRODUCTION: The diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD) is complex and challenging, especially when diagnostic resources are limited. This results in a lack of consistency in identifying and reporting the number of people with VWD and variations in the VWD prevalence worldwide. AIM: To analyze the reported prevalence of VWD worldwide in relation to income classification. METHODS: Data on the VWD prevalence from the World Federation of Hemophilia Annual Global Survey, national registries of Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, and the literature were analysed. The income level of each country was classified according to the World Bank. RESULTS: The mean VWD prevalence worldwide was 25.6 per million people. The VWD prevalence for high-income countries (HIC) of 60.3 per million people was significantly greater (p < .01) than upper middle (12.6), lower middle (2.5) and low (1.1) income countries. The type 3 VWD prevalence for HIC of 3.3 per million people was significantly greater (p < .01) than lower middle (1.3) and low income (0.7) countries. The reported VWD prevalence was greater among females than males. CONCLUSION: The reported VWD prevalence varied considerably across and within income classifications. The variability of type 3 VWD prevalence was less than the VWD prevalence (all types). The variability in detection and diagnosis of type 1 VWD presents a challenge in forming a consistent prevalence value across countries and income classifications.

Recurrence after stopping anticoagulants in women with combined oral contraceptive-associated venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation for a combined oral contraceptive (COC)-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the incidence of recurrent VTE among women with COC-associated VTE, unprovoked VTE and to compare the incidence of recurrent VTE between the two groups. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase Classic +Embase and Medline ALL to July 2020 and citations from included studies were searched. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses of these study types were selected. The analysis was conducted by random-effects model. Nineteen studies were identified including 1537 women [5828 person-years (PY)] with COC-associated VTE and 1974 women (7798 PY) with unprovoked VTE. Studies were at low risk of bias. The incidence rate of VTE recurrence was 1.22/100 PY [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.62, I2  = 6%] in women with COC-associated VTE, 3.89/100 PY (95% CI 2.93-5.17, I2  = 74%) in women with unprovoked VTE and the unadjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.34 (95% CI 0.26-0.46, I2  = 3%). The recurrence risk in women after COC-associated VTE is low and lower than after an unprovoked VTE.

Immune status of patients with haemophilia A before exposure to factor VIII: first results from the HEMFIL study.

Previous cross-sectional studies showed that some patients with haemophilia A (HA) without inhibitor presented a pro-inflammatory profile during factor VIII (FVIII) replacement therapy. Furthermore, an anti-inflammatory/regulatory state was described in HA patients after inhibitor development. However, no study investigated the levels of these biomarkers before exposure to exogenous FVIII. This study investigated the immunological profile of previously untreated patients (PUPs) with HA in comparison with non-haemophiliac boys. A panel of chemokines and cytokines was evaluated in the plasma of 40 PUPs with HA and 47 healthy controls. The presence of microparticles was assessed in the plasma of 32 PUPs with HA and 47 healthy controls. PUPs with HA presented higher levels of CXCL8 (IL8), IL6, IL4, IL10, IL2, IL17A (IL17), and lower levels of CXCL10 (IP-10) and CCL2 (MCP-1) than the age-matched healthy controls (P < 0·05). We also observed higher levels of microparticles derived from endothelium, erythrocytes, platelets, leucocytes, neutrophils, and T lymphocytes in patients in comparison with controls (P < 0·05). Compared with controls, PUPs with HA presented a distinct immunological profile, characterized by a prominent pro-inflammatory status that appears to be regulated by IL4 and IL10.

TFPI cofactor function of protein S: essential role of the protein S SHBG-like domain.

Protein S is a cofactor for tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), accelerating the inhibition of activated factor X (FXa). TFPI Kunitz domain 3 residue Glu226 is essential for enhancement of TFPI by protein S. To investigate the complementary functional interaction site on protein S, we screened 44 protein S point, composite or domain swap variants spanning the whole protein S molecule for their TFPI cofactor function using a thrombin generation assay. Of these variants, two protein S/growth arrest-specific 6 chimeras, with either the whole sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG)-like domain (Val243-Ser635; chimera III) or the SHBG laminin G-type 1 subunit (Ser283-Val459; chimera I), respectively, substituted by the corresponding domain in growth arrest-specific 6, were unable to enhance TFPI. The importance of the protein S SHBG-like domain (and its laminin G-type 1 subunit) for binding and enhancement of TFPI was confirmed in FXa inhibition assays and using surface plasmon resonance. In addition, protein S bound to C4b binding protein showed greatly reduced enhancement of TFPI-mediated inhibition of FXa compared with free protein S. We show that binding of TFPI to the protein S SHBG-like domain enables TFPI to interact optimally with FXa on a phospholipid membrane.

Derivation of a risk assessment model for hospital-acquired venous thrombosis: the NAVAL score.

Venous thrombosis (VT) is a preventable cause of death in hospitalized patients. The main strategy to decrease VT incidence is timely thromboprophylaxis in at-risk patients. We sought to evaluate the reliability of risk assessment model (RAM) data, the incremental usefulness of additional variables and the modelling of an adjusted score (the NAVAL score). We used the RAM proposed by Caprini for initial assessment. A 5 % systematic sample of data was independently reviewed for reliability. We evaluated the incremental usefulness of six variables for VT during the score modelling by logistic regression. We then assessed the NAVAL score for calibration, reclassification and discrimination performances. We observed 11,091 patients with 37 (0.3 %) VT events. Using the Caprini RAM, high-risk and moderate-risk patients were respectively associated with a 17.4 (95 % confidence interval [CI] 6.1-49.9) and 4.2 (95 % CI 1.6-11.0) increased VT risk compared with low-risk patients. Four independent variables were selected for the NAVAL score: "Age", "Admission clinic", "History of previous VT event" and "History of thrombophilia". The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve for the NAVAL score was 0.72 (95 % CI 0.63-0.81). The Net Reclassification Index (NRI) for the NAVAL score compared with the Caprini RAM was -0.1 (95 % CI -0.3 to 0.1; p = 0.28). We conclude that the NAVAL score is a simplified tool for the stratification of VT risk in hospitalized patients. With only four variables, it demonstrated good performance and discrimination, but requires external validation before clinical application. We also confirm that the Caprini RAM can effectively stratify VT risk in hospitalized patients in our population.

Distinguishing ASH clinical practice guidelines from other forms of ASH clinical advice.

ABSTRACT: The American Society of Hematology (ASH) develops a variety of resources that provide guidance to clinicians on the diagnosis and management of blood diseases. These resources include clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) and other forms of clinical advice. Although both ASH CPGs and other forms of clinical advice provide recommendations, they differ with respect to the methods underpinning their development, the principal type of recommendations they offer, their transparency and concordance with published evidence, and the time and resources required for their development. It is crucial that end users be aware of the differences between CPGs and other forms of clinical advice and that producers and publishers of these resources use clear and unambiguous terminology to facilitate their distinction. The objective of this article is to highlight the similarities and differences between ASH CPGs and other forms of ASH clinical advice and discuss the implications of these differences for end users.

Recommendation on the nomenclature for anticoagulants: updated communication from the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Scientific and Standardization Commitee on the Control of Anticoagulation.

Oral anticoagulation therapy has evolved beyond vitamin K antagonists to include oral direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors. Collectively known as "direct oral anticoagulants," this class of medications represents the current standard of care for the prevention and treatment of common thrombotic disorders, including atrial fibrillation and venous thromboembolism. Medications that target factors XI/XIa and XII/XIIa are currently under investigation for several thrombotic and nonthrombotic conditions. Given that these emerging medications will likely have distinct risk-benefit profiles to the current direct oral anticoagulants, may have different routes of administration, and could be used for unique clinical conditions (e.g., hereditary angioedema), the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis Subcommittee on Control of Anticoagulation assembled a writing group to make recommendations on the nomenclature of anticoagulant medications. With input from the broader thrombosis community, the writing group recommends that anticoagulant medications be described by the route of administration and specific targets (e.g., oral factor XIa inhibitor).

Activated protein C cofactor function of protein S: a critical role for Asp95 in the EGF1-like domain.

Protein S has an established role in the protein C anticoagulant pathway, where it enhances the factor Va (FVa) and factor VIIIa (FVIIIa) inactivating property of activated protein C (APC). Despite its physiological role and clinical importance, the molecular basis of its action is not fully understood. To clarify the mechanism of the protein S interaction with APC, we have constructed and expressed a library of composite or point variants of human protein S, with residue substitutions introduced into the Gla, thrombin-sensitive region (TSR), epidermal growth factor 1 (EGF1), and EGF2 domains. Cofactor activity for APC was evaluated by calibrated automated thrombography (CAT) using protein S-deficient plasma. Of 27 variants tested initially, only one, protein S D95A (within the EGF1 domain), was largely devoid of functional APC cofactor activity. Protein S D95A was, however, gamma-carboxylated and bound phospholipids with an apparent dissociation constant (Kd(app)) similar to that of wild-type (WT) protein S. In a purified assay using FVa R506Q/R679Q, purified protein S D95A was shown to have greatly reduced ability to enhance APC-induced cleavage of FVa Arg306. It is concluded that residue Asp95 within EGF1 is critical for APC cofactor function of protein S and could define a principal functional interaction site for APC.

Risk factors for antibody formation in children with hemophilia: methodological aspects and clinical characteristics of the HEMFIL cohort study.

Up to 35% of patients with hemophilia A and 5% with hemophilia B develop neutralizing antibodies which can inhibit the therapeutic activity of factor replacement (inhibitors). Despite the clinical relevance of antifactor VIII and IX neutralizing antibodies, there is still a major gap on the knowledge of risk factors for their development. Furthermore, most of the studies on risk factors for inhibitor development come from Caucasian and Afro-American populations. The HEMFIL is a Brazilian prospective cohort study of previously untreated children with hemophilia, which primary aim is to identify new risk factors related to inhibitor development. This manuscript aims at describing the study design and its methodology. After the diagnosis, children are followed up to 75 exposure days or to inhibitor development. Standardized forms and blood samples are collected to describe clinical characteristics and to perform the measurement of immunological and genetic biomarkers at three time points; Inclusion time (T0), at inhibitor development or at 75 exposure days without inhibitors (T1) and after immune tolerance induction for patients in whom it is indicated and performed (T2). Currently, 120 children have been included, of whom, 95 have completed the follow-up. For severe/moderately severe hemophilia A, the cumulative incidence of inhibitors at 75 exposure days was 35% (95% confidence interval, 26-46%). The inclusion of additional patients and a longer follow-up will allow the analysis of risk factors for inhibitor development.

Inter-observer reliability of a risk assessment model for venous thromboembolism in acutely-ill medical hospitalized patients: Results from a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the inter-observer reliability of risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in a population of adult acutely-ill medical patients. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, we collected risk factors and risk classification for VTE using RAM IMPROVE7. Kappa statistics was used to evaluate inter-observer reliability between lead clinicians and trained researchers. We evaluated occurrence of VTE in patients with mismatched classification. RESULTS: We included 2,380 patients, median age 70 years (interquartile range [IQR], 58-79), 56.2% female. Adjusted Kappa for VTE risk factors ranged from substantial (0.64, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61-0.67) for "immobilization", to almost perfect (0.98; 95% CI 0.97-0.99) for "thrombophilia"; risk classification was 0.64 (95% CI 0.60-0.67). Divergent risk classification occurred in 434 patients (18.2%) of whom seven (1.6%) developed VTE. CONCLUSION: Despite substantial to almost perfect reliability between observers for risk factors and risk classification, lead clinicians tended to underestimate the risk for VTE.

High risk of venous thromboembolism after orthopedic surgery in patients with thrombophilia.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed at evaluating the effect of thrombophilia on the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing any type of orthopedic surgery. BACKGROUND: Patients undergoing orthopedic surgery are at high risk for VTE. Although patients with thrombophilia have an increased risk of VTE, it is currently unclear whether there is a synergetic effect in patients with thrombophilia who undergo orthopedic surgery. METHODS: Data from a large population-based case-control study (the Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment [MEGA] of risk factors for venous thrombosis study) were used. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) (ORadj) were calculated for patients undergoing any orthopedic intervention. RESULTS: Of 4721 cases and 5638 controls, 263 cases and 94 controls underwent orthopedic surgery. Patients who had any orthopedic intervention in the year before the index date were at higher risk of VTE (ORadj 3.7; 95% CI, 2.9-4.8) than those who did not undergo any orthopedic surgery. There was an additionally increased risk in patients with factor V Leiden (OR 17.5, 95% CI, 4.1-73.6), non-O blood group (OR 11.2; 95% CI, 3.4-34.0), or elevated plasma levels of factor VIII (OR 18.6; 95% CI, 7.4-46.9) all relative to patients without these defects, not undergoing orthopedic surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with factor V Leiden, high levels of factor VIII, or blood group non-O were found to have a high risk of VTE after orthopedic surgery. Identification of these patients may enable individualized thromboprophylactic treatment to efficiently reduce VTE risk.

Guidelines for prophylaxis and anti-thrombotic treatment for patients with COVID-19. Consensus of the Latin American Cooperative Group on Hemostasis and Thrombosis (CLAHT) / Guía de profilaxia y tratamiento antitrombótico para pacientes con COVID-19. Consenso del Grupo Cooperativo Latinoamericano en Hemostasia y Trombosis (CLAHT)

Coagulopathy and thrombosis associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) represent a major issue in the management of this disease. In the past months, clinical studies have demonstrated that COVID-19 patients present with a particular hypercoagulable state, in which a markedly increased D-dimer concomitant with increased levels of fibrinogen are observed. This hypercoagulable state leads to an increased risk of thrombosis, which seems to be higher among those patients with critical symptoms of COVID-19. The best therapeutic approach to prevent thrombotic events in COVID-19 has not been determined yet and several questions regarding thromboprophylaxis therapy, such as the time to initiate anticoagulation, type of anticoagulant and dose regimen, have emerged among physicians. To address these concerns, several medical societies have published position papers to provide the opinion of thrombosis experts on the management of coagulopathy and thrombosis associated with COVID-19. In line with this, the Latin America Cooperative Group of Hemostasis and Thrombosis (Grupo CLAHT) has constituted a panel of experts in thrombosis and hemostasis to discuss the available data on this topic. The aim of this review is to summarize the current evidence regarding hemostatic impairment and thrombotic risk in COVID-19 and to provide a carefully revised opinion of Latin American experts on the thromboprophylaxis and management of thrombotic events and coagulopathy in patients with suspected COVID-19.

La coagulopatía y la trombosis asociadas a la enfermedad por coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) representan un problema importante en el manejo de esta enfermedad. Los estudios clínicos de los últimos meses han demostrado que los pacientes con COVID-19 presentan un estado de hipercoagulabilidad particular, en el que se observa un aumento notable del dímero D concomitante con niveles elevados de fibrinógeno. El estado de hipercoagulabilidad conduce a un mayor riesgo de trombosis, que parece ser mayor entre aquellos pacientes con síntomas críticos de COVID-19. El mejor enfoque terapéutico para prevenir los eventos trombóticos en esta nueva enfermedad aún no se ha determinado y han surgido varias preguntas con respecto a la tromboprofilaxia, como el momento adecuado para iniciar la anticoagulación, el tipo de anticoagulante y el régimen de dosis. Para abordar estas preocupaciones, varias sociedades médicas han publicado artículos de posición para brindar la opinión de expertos en trombosis sobre el manejo de la coagulopatía y trombosis asociadas a COVID-19. Grupo Cooperativo Latinoamericano de Hemostasia y Trombosis (Grupo CLAHT) ha convocado a un panel de expertos en trombosis y hemostasia para discutir los datos disponibles sobre este tema. El objetivo de esta revisión es resumir la evidencia actual con respecto al deterioro hemostático y el riesgo trombótico en el COVID-19 y proporcionar una opinión cuidadosamente revisada de los expertos latinoamericanos sobre la tromboprofilaxis y el manejo de eventos trombóticos y coagulopatía en pacientes con sospecha de COVID-19.

Risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism related to prior risk situations: re-evaluation of a cohort study with a longer follow-up.

: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a chronic disease. Strategies to assess groups at a high risk of recurrence are needed. We reported that patients without prior risk situation for VTE had an incidence rate ratio (IRR) three times higher when compared with those with this history. The aim of this study was to re-evaluate the cohort, with a longer follow-up and evaluated the association between the absence of a prior risk situation for VTE with an increased risk for recurrence. A total of 289 patients with a previous VTE were followed for 116 months. Patients were advised to attend the outpatients' clinic in case of suspected VTE recurrence. Incidence rates of recurrent thrombotic events were calculated as the number of events over the accumulated observation time. Recurrent VTE occurred in 52 (18%) patients. Patients with a provoked first event and positive prior risk situations for VTE had an incidence rate for recurrence of 1.2 [95% confidence interval (95% CI), 0.7-1.9] per 100 patient-years. The IRR of this subgroup compared with patients with a provoked event without prior risk situations for VTE was 0.9 (95% CI 0.4-2.4). IRR was 2.5 (95% CI, 1.3-4.9) in patients with an unprovoked event and positive prior risk situations and 5.9 (95% CI, 32.8-12.5) in patients with an unprovoked event and no prior risk situations compared with patients with a provoked event without other prior risk situations for VTE. Exposure to prior risk situations for VTE was a protective factor among those patients whose first VTE event was unprovoked.

Risk-assessment models for VTE and bleeding in hospitalized medical patients: an overview of systematic reviews.

Multiple risk-assessment models (RAMs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients have been developed. To inform the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) guidelines on VTE, we conducted an overview of systematic reviews to identify and summarize evidence related to RAMs for VTE and bleeding in medical inpatients. We searched Epistemonikos, the Cochrane Database, Medline, and Embase from 2005 through June 2017 and then updated the search in January 2020 to identify systematic reviews that included RAMs for VTE and bleeding in medical inpatients. We conducted study selection, data abstraction and quality assessment (using the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews [ROBIS] tool) independently and in duplicate. We described the characteristics of the reviews and their included studies, and compared the identified RAMs using narrative synthesis. Of 15 348 citations, we included 2 systematic reviews, of which 1 had low risk of bias. The reviews included 19 unique studies reporting on 15 RAMs. Seven of the RAMs were derived using individual patient data in which risk factors were included based on their predictive ability in a regression analysis. The other 8 RAMs were empirically developed using consensus approaches, risk factors identified from a literature review, and clinical expertise. The RAMs that have been externally validated include the Caprini, Geneva, IMPROVE, Kucher, and Padua RAMs. The Padua, Geneva, and Kucher RAMs have been evaluated in impact studies that reported an increase in appropriate VTE prophylaxis rates. Our findings informed the ASH guidelines. They also aim to guide health care practitioners in their decision-making processes regarding appropriate individual prophylactic management.

Needs and challenges among physicians and researchers in thrombosis and hemostasis: Results from an international study.

BACKGROUND: Specialty societies, such as the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH), are a key source of support for clinical and scientific communities, through the provision of educational activities, tools, and resources to support evidence-based care and high-quality, relevant basic science and clinical research. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to identify areas where the thrombosis and hemostasis (T&H) community is facing challenges and could benefit from the support of ISTH. METHODS: A 3-phase, mixed-methods study consisting of semistructured individual interviews (phase 1), an online survey (phase 2), and discussion groups (phase 3) was conducted on the challenges experienced by the T&H community. Participants included physicians, clinical and basic science researchers, residents, fellows, students, and industry representatives. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Quantitative data were analyzed using frequency tables and chi-squares. RESULTS: The study included 468 participants in interviews (n = 45), surveys (n = 404), and discussion groups (n = 19). Nine themes emerged that describe areas where the T&H community may benefit from additional support. Three areas were related to diagnosis and testing: thrombosis risk assessment, genetic testing, and diagnosis of von Willebrand disease (VWD). Another 3 were related to treatment decision making: use of anticoagulants with certain patients, preventive treatments in bleeding disorders, and VWD treatment. The remaining 3 were related to research: collaboration with/among researchers, collaboration between teams to collect data from human subjects, and promotion of basic science research. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a comprehensive picture of priorities within the T&H community, which should inform the ISTH in its future interventions, including educational offerings and networking opportunities.