15-Lipoxygenase promotes resolution of inflammation in lymphedema by controlling Treg cell function through IFN-ß.

Lymphedema (LD) is characterized by the accumulation of interstitial fluid, lipids and inflammatory cell infiltrate in the limb. Here, we find that LD tissues from women who developed LD after breast cancer exhibit an inflamed gene expression profile. Lipidomic analysis reveals decrease in specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPM) generated by the 15-lipoxygenase (15-LO) in LD. In mice, the loss of SPM is associated with an increase in apoptotic regulatory T (Treg) cell number. In addition, the selective depletion of 15-LO in the lymphatic endothelium induces an aggravation of LD that can be rescued by Treg cell adoptive transfer or ALOX15-expressing lentivector injections. Mechanistically, exogenous injections of the pro-resolving cytokine IFN-ß restores both 15-LO expression and Treg cell number in a mouse model of LD. These results provide evidence that lymphatic 15-LO may represent a therapeutic target for LD by serving as a mediator of Treg cell populations to resolve inflammation.

Duration of anticoagulation for upper extremity deep vein thrombosis associated with cancer and central venous catheter: Outcome of a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: In cancer patients with catheter-associated upper extremity deep vein thrombosis, 3 months of anticoagulation is recommended. The main objective of this study was to compare the incidence of thrombosis recurrence in these patients in case of continuation or discontinuation of anticoagulation, at the end of 3 months and after catheter has been removed. The secondary objectives were the incidence of major bleeding and death. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study including patients with a cancer and a catheter-associated upper extremity deep vein thrombosis. RESULTS: About 60 patients included, 44 stopped anticoagulation after the first 3 months and 16 continued it. The median time between catheter insertion and deep vein thrombosis was 26±83 days. Three recurrences occurred during the one-year follow-up: 2 in the group who stopped anticoagulation, with a cumulative incidence at 1 year of 4,8% (95%IC 1.2-18.1) and 1 in the group who continued anticoagulation, with a cumulative incidence at 1 year of 14.3% (95%IC 2.1-66.6). No major bleeding event occurred in anticoagulation discontinued group. The group who stopped anticoagulation was significantly associated with a lower risk of death (HR 0.21-95%IC 0.09-0.48, P<0.001). CONCLUSION: The risk of recurrence in cancer patients with a catheter-associated upper extremity deep vein thrombosis was low and statistically comparable between the group who stopped anticoagulation and the group who continued it. These results suggest that anticoagulation after the first 3 months deserves to be considered when catheter is removed.

Management of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in Occitanie: practice assessment.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) is increasing. Its management is sometimes complex and difficult due to its complications and the lack of strong recommendations. The aim was to describe the practice of vascular physicians in Occitanie region in the management of upper extremity deep vein thrombosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used a descriptive observational study in the form of a declarative survey by means of a questionnaire from April to May 2019 among vascular physicians. RESULTS: Of the 142 physicians contacted, 84 responded, with a reply rate of 59.1%. The majority of physicians introduced low-molecular-weight heparin treatment (60.71%) and 29.76% direct oral anticoagulation after a diagnosis of UEDVT. Three months of anticoagulation was chosen by 69% of physicians against 27.4% for a duration of 6 months. Diagnostic work-up included biological risk factors, chest and/or cervical radiography and ultrasonography with dynamic maneuvers. Three quarters of doctors recommended venous compression. A control ultrasonography was performed for 67.86% of patients at one month and at the end of treatment. After the acute phase, 63% of physicians introduced direct oral anticoagulation and 11% recommended venous revascularization. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The mobilization of vascular physicians reflects their interest for this pathology. The management of UEDVT requires specific studies to address therapeutic modalities, the duration of anticoagulation or the place of venous compression in the acute phase.

[Venous thromboembolic disease: Comparison of management practices in France, Italy and Spain]. / Comparaison en France, en Italie et en Espagne des modalités de prise en charge de la maladie thromboembolique veineuse.

BACKGROUND: Many national and international guidelines have been established for venous thromboembolic disease (VTE). Homogeneous management practices could be expected in the different European countries. To verify this hypothesis, we compared practices in France, Italy and Spain. METHOD: We used data from the international RIETE registry to compare VTE management between France, Italy and Spain. RESULTS: From 2001 January to 2011 January, patients were consecutively included in France (n=1548), Italy (n=2083) and Spain (29,824). All patients received anticoagulant treatment. Low molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) was the most frequently used drug as initial therapy in all three countries, but unfractionated heparin (UFH) was more frequently used in France and Italy than in Spain. In France, the proportion of patients receiving LMWH was lower than the proportion of patients with active cancer (cancer 22.5 %, long-term treatment with LMWH 17.4 %). A vena cava filter was significantly more frequently used in France (5.5 % in France, 3.2 % in Italy and 2 % in Spain, P<0.0001). High bleeding risk because of surgery with recent thromboembolic disease was the most frequent indication in France and Italy for vena cava filter placement (36.4 %, and 31.3 %, respectively). CONCLUSION: Despite the publication of national and international guidelines, VTE management differs among the three major European countries included in the RIETE registry, France, Italy and Spain.

[Ultrasound screening of abdominal aortic aneurysm: Lessons from Vesale 2013]. / Dépistage échographique de l'anévrisme de l'aorte abdominale - les enseignements de Vésale 2013.

Although aneurysm of the abdominal infra-renal aorta (AAA) meets criteria warranting B mode ultrasound screening, the advantages of mass screening versus selective targeted opportunistic screening remain a subject of debate. In France, the French Society of Vascular Medicine (SFMV) and the Health Authority (HAS) published recommendations for targeted opportunistic screening in 2006 and 2013 respectively. The SFMV held a mainstream communication day on November 21, 2013 in France involving participants from metropolitan France and overseas departments that led to a proposal for free AAA ultrasound screening: the Vesalius operation. Being a consumer operation, the selection criteria were limited to age (men and women between 60 and 75 years); the age limit was lowered to 50 years in case of direct family history of AAA. More than 7000 people (as many women as men) were screened in 83 centers with a 1.70% prevalence of AAA in the age-based target population (3.12% for men, 0.27% for women). The median diameter of detected AAA was 33 mm (range 20 to 74 mm). The prevalence of AAA was 1.7% in this population. Vesalius data are consistent with those of the literature both in terms of prevalence and for cardiovascular risk factors with the important role of smoking. Lessons from Vesalius to take into consideration are: screening is warranted in men 60 years and over, especially smokers, and in female smokers. Screening beyond 75 years should be discussed. Given the importance of screening, the SFMV set up a year of national screening for AAA (Vesalius operation 2014/2015) in order to increase public and physician awareness about AAA detection, therapeutic management, and monitoring. AAA is a serious, common, disease that kills 6000 people each year. The goal of screening is cost-effective reduction in the death toll.

[Prevalence and risk factors of peripheral arterial disease in an outpatient screening campaign]. / Évaluation de la prévalence et des facteurs de risque de l'artériopathie oblitérante des membres inférieurs dans le cadre d'une campagne de dépistage ambulatoire.

BACKGROUND: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important predictor of cardiovascular disease with major medico-economic consequences. However, systematic screening of asymptomatic patients free from history of cardiovascular disease is debated. OBJECTIVE: Determining the prevalence, risk factors for PAD in a population of outpatients at intermediate or high-risk of cardiovascular disease, free from history of cardiovascular disease to assess the potential impact of PAD screening in such groups of patients. METHODS: Multicenter 1-day screening program of PAD conducted from 2008 to 2010 in a population defined by diabetes plus age greater than 50 years, positive active smoking status, or age greater than 70 years. PAD was defined as an ankle-brachial index (ABI) less than 0.9 measured as follows: lowest systolic ankle pressure divided by highest systolic arm pressure. RESULTS: Ten thousand six hundred and fourteen patients fulfilled study inclusion criteria: 16.7% (n = 1774) exhibited an ABI less than 0.9 and 3.8% (n = 407) an ABI less than 0.7. ABI greater than 1.3 was found in 7.7% of patients (n = 818). Age greater than 70 years, male gender, active smoking status, hypertension and diabetes (treated) were independent risk factors for PAD. CONCLUSION: Primary prevention outpatient screening of a population with intermediate or high cardiovascular risk can identify numerous patients with PAD. The medical impact in terms of cardiovascular mortality and morbidity of such a screening needs to be assessed.

[Medical treatment of patients with clinical peripheral arterial disease at hospital discharge: compliance with the French guidelines and changing practices (COPART I registry)]. / Traitement médical du patient atteint d'artériopathie athéroscléreuse des membres inférieurs symptomatique à sa sortie de l'hôpital: adéquation aux recommandations et évolution des pratiques dans le temps (registre COPART I).

INTRODUCTION: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a frequent and serious condition with a risk of mortality comparable to that of certain cancers. However, in France, the literature on this medical condition is scarce and data on management, incidence of complications and prognosis are lacking. PURPOSES: The COPART I registry, set up in June 2004, in the Vascular Medicine Department of the University Hospital of Toulouse, France, constitutes an observational database on hospitalized patients with PAD, in order to evaluate management, follow-up and prognosis of the patients. The aim of the present work is to compare medical prescriptions at hospital discharge, with the recent guidelines of the French High Authority of Health. METHODS: All consecutive patients with PAD, hospitalized in the Vascular Medicine Department of the University of Toulouse, between June 1, 2004 and July 31, 2006 were included. Only surviving patients were analysed. RESULTS: Four hundred patients were included in the study. As expected, the majority were male (70%). Common cardiovascular risk factors were: arterial hypertension (66.7%), dyslipidemia (58.9%), diabetes (42.9%), and smoking (27.4%). Three patients out of 10 had claudication intermittens, nearly two out of 10 patients complained of persistent pain, and four out of 10 patients had Leriche and Fontaine stage IV arteriopathy. At hospital discharge, 86.9% of the patients were taking at least one antiplatelet treatment, 71.2% a statin, 54% a renin-angiotensin-system inhibitor. Nearly 66% of the patients (65.8%) received at least one antiplatelet agent and a statin. Nearly 50% of the patients (49.4%) had the three drugs recommended by the French High Authority of Health. We observed a change in prescription practices for statins (+30%), as well as for prescription of evidence-based tri-therapy (+29%) between 2004 and 2006. CONCLUSION: Treatments prescribed at hospital discharge of patient with PAD included in the COPART I registry are in compliance with the French High Authority of Health guidelines concerning antiplatelet drugs and statins. Inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system seem insufficiently used. However, favorable trends in medical practices between 2004 and 2006 have been observed.

[Plantar venous thrombosis and anticardiolipin antibody syndrome. Case report]. / Thrombose veineuse plantaire interne et anticorps anticardiolipine. Cas clinique.

We report a case of isolated plantar venous thrombosis in a young female with no recent history of surgery or trauma who complained of spontaneous left talalgia. She was treated with aspirin for a lupus anticoagulant. The diagnosis was established on the basis of color duplex ultrasonography. The patient was given long-term oral anticoagulants in accordance with international recommendations. Veins other than the usually examined regions, such as plantar veins, should be explored in patients with a known thrombophilic condition who present spontaneous talalgia. Presence of an isolated plantar venous thrombus in a patient with no known coagulation abnormality is suggestive of thrombophilic disease.