Incidence and factors associated with pulmonary embolism among RT-PCR confirmed Covid-19 patients with upfront CT pulmonary angiography in Ethiopia: A nested case-control study

Introduction: Pulmonary embolism is one of the complications of COVID-19, with reported incidence ranging from 3 to 33 % in non-ICU patients to as high as 40% among ICU patients. Since the clinical presentations of COVID-19 and Pulmonary embolism overlap, it is difficult to differentiate between these cases. This study aimed to assess the incidence of pulmonary embolism and associated factors among confirmed Covid-19 Patients in Ethiopia. Methods: A nested case control study was conducted among 131 patients with COVID-19 (40 COVID-19 patients with Pulmonary embolism and 91 COVID-19 patients with no PE) who were on follow up from May, 2021 to May, 2022. Data was summarized using frequencies with percentages. A chi-square test/ Fisher's exact test was run to determine the presence of a significant difference between the exposure variables and the development of PE. To identify factors associated with the development of Pulmonary embolism, a multivariable Binary Logistic Regression model with sensitivity analysis was run. Results: The incidence of PE was 30.5% (95% CI, 22.9% - 37.4%) in the cohort of patients for whom upfront CTPA was performed. The Chi-square/ Fisher's exact test results showed a significantly higher proportion of patients with PE tend to present with shortness of breath, chest pain and anosmia/ageusia than those with no PE. However, in a subsequent regression analysis, only chest pain was found to be significantly associated with the development of PE in COVID-19 patients (AOR= 3.24, 95% CI= 1.10, 9.54, p-value=0.033). Conclusion: The incidence of PE among COVID-19 patients was found to be relatively lower than reports from other countries. Having chest pain was found to be a significant factor that indicates the development of PE, implying that in a setting where performing upfront CTPA is not practical, detailed symptom inquiry could serve as an important clinical criteria.

Tromboembolismo pulmonar como posible reacción adversa a Quetiapina Reporte de caso / Pulmonary thromboembolism as a possible adverse reaction to Quetiapine Case report

Resumen Algunos estudios sugieren que existe una relación entre el uso de antipsicóticos y el riesgo de tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) y embolia pulmonar (EP). Sin embargo, los resultados siguen sin ser concluyentes. Se trata del caso de un Masculino de 23 años con antecedentes de Esquizofrenia y Depresión tratado quetiapina 800 mg, el cual es encontrado muerto en la cama de un hotel. En la necropsia sin lesiones traumáticas visibles, hallazgos histológicos de tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo con infartos pulmonares secundarios. Laboratorio de Toxicología detectó la presencia de quetiapina, no se detectó alcohol o drogas de abusos. Mediante el Algoritmo De Karch & Lasagna Modificado el tromboembolismo pulmonar fue una reacción adversa con una probabilidad de relación causal posible. Se han informado muchos casos de muerte súbita causada por EP con la exposición a antipsicóticos, pero la relación de su uso y el riesgo de TEV y EP sigue siendo controvertida.

Abstract Some studies suggest a relationship between antipsychotic use and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and pulmonary embolism (PE). However, the results remain inconclusive. This is the case of a 23-year-old male with a history of schizophrenia and depression treated with quetiapine 800 mg, who was found dead in a hotel bed. At necropsy with no visible traumatic lesions, histological findings of massive pulmonary thromboembolism with secondary pulmonary infarcts. Toxicology laboratory detected the presence of quetiapine, no alcohol or drugs of abuse were detected. Using the Modified Karch & Lasagna Algorithm, pulmonary thromboembolism was an adverse reaction with a probable causal relationship. Many cases of sudden death caused by PE have been reported with exposure to antipsychotics, but the relationship of their use and the risk of VTE and PE remains controversial.

Utilidad diagnóstica del dímero-D en el tromboembolismo pulmonar de pacientes COVID-19 / DiagnosticutilityofD-dimerin pulmonarythromboembolism in COVID-19 patients

Resumen Introducción: El aumento de la concentración de dímero-D en pacientes COVID-19 se ha asociado a mayor gravedad y peor pronóstico; sin embargo, su rol en predecir el diagnóstico de tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP), aún es incierto. Objetivo: Evaluar la utilidad del dímero-D plasmático en el diagnóstico de TEP en pacientes con COVID-19. Pacientes y Métodos: Estudio observacional analítico. Se incluyó a pacientes COVID-19 que tenían una angiotomografía computada de tórax (AngioTAC). Se registraron datos clínicos, niveles plasmáticos de dímero-D de ingreso y previo al momento de realizar la AngioTAC. Se identificó la presencia o ausencia de TEP. Resultados: Se incluyeron 163 pacientes; 37(23%) presentaron TEP. Al comparar la serie de pacientes con TEP versus sin TEP, no se encontraron diferencias significativas en características clínicas, ni mortalidad. Hubo diferencias significativas en el nivel plasmático del dímero-D previo a realizar la AngioTAC (3.929 versus 1.912 μg/L; p = 0,005). El área bajo la curva ROC del dímero-D para TEPfue de 0,65. El mejor punto de corte del dímero-D fue de 2.000 μg/L, con una baja sensibilidad y valor predictivo positivo. El valor de corte con el mejor valor predictivo negativo (VPN)fue de 900 μg/L (96%), el cual fue mejor que la estrategia de corte de dímero D ajustado por edad (VPN 90%). Conclusión: La capacidad discriminativa del dímero D para diagnosticar TEP fue baja. En cambio, el dímero D mantiene un alto valor predictivo negativo para descartar TEP, el cual es mayor al valor descrito clásicamente en los pacientes no COVID.

Introduction: Increased D-dimer concentration in COVID-19 patients has been associated with greater severity and worse prognosis; however its role in predicting the diagnosis of pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE), is still uncertain. Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of plasma D-dimer in the diagnosis of PTE in patients with COVID-19. Method: Analytical observational study. COVID-19 patients who had a chest computed tomography angiography (CTA) were included. Clinical data, Ddimer plasma levels on admission and prior to CTA were recorded. The presence or absence of PTE was identified. Results: 163 patients were included, 37 (23%) presented PTE. After comparing the series of patients with PTE versus the series without PTE, no significant differences were found in clinical characteristics or mortality. There were significant differences in the plasma level of D-dimer prior to performing CTA (3,929 μg/L versus. 1,912 μg/L; p = 0.005). The area under the D-dimer ROC curve for PTEprediction was 0.65. The best D-dimer cutoffpoint was 2.000μg/L, with a low sensitivity and positivepredictive value. The cutoff value with the best negativepredictive value (NPV) was 900 μg/L (96%), which was better than the age-adjusted D-dimer cutoff strategy (NPV 90%). Conclusion: The discriminative ability of D-dimer to diagnose PTE was low. In contrast, D-dimer maintains a high negative predictive value to rule out PTE, which is higher than the value classically described in non-COVID patients.

Tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo en covid-19: reporte de caso clínico / Massive pulmonary thromboembolism in covid-19: Clinical case report

La pandemia de COVID-19 actualmente ha demostrado la importancia de una evaluación y un manejo agresivos, al considerar su exposición como una enfermedad viral muy trasmisible que tiene efectos multisistémicos y una alta tasa de mortalidad. Es así que el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la embolia pulmonar, son desafiantes en circunstancias habituales. Objetivo: Describir un caso clínico de tromboembolismo pulmonar masivo en covid-19. Reporte de Caso: Paciente de sexo masculino 42 años con antecedentes patológico personales de hipertensión arterial con prueba rápida para SARS COV-2 IGG e IGM positivo. Resultados: Se estima que cada año hay 900.000 casos de tromboembolismo venoso (TEV) en los Estados Unidos, 150.000 a 250.000 hospitalizaciones relacionadas con la embolia pulmonar (EP) y 60.000 a 100.000 muertes, lo que la convierte en la tercera causa más común de enfermedades cardiovasculares. Conclusión: Una vez que se diagnostica una embolia pulmonar, es necesaria la estratificación del riesgo para definir el manejo adecuado. Los tratamientos disponibles al momento pueden variar desde anticoagulación sola, trombólisis dirigida por catéter, trombólisis sistémica de dosis completa, embolectomía con catéter, embolectomía quirúrgica y soporte circulatorio mecánico como oxigenación por membrana extracorpórea (ECMO)(AU)

The COVID-19 pandemic has currently demonstrated the importance of aggressive evaluation and management, considering its exposure as a highly transmissible viral disease that has multisystem effects and a high mortality rate. Thus, the diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary embolism are challenging under usual circumstances. Objective: To describe a clinical case of massive pulmonary thromboembolism in covid-19. Case Report: A 42-year-old male patient with a personal pathological history of arterial hypertension with a positive rapid test for SARS COV-2 IGG and IGM. Results: There are an estimated 900,000 cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in the United States each year, 150,000 to 250,000 pulmonary embolism (PE)-related hospitalizations, and 60,000 to 100,000 deaths, making it the third most common cause of pulmonary embolism. cardiovascular diseases. Conclusion: Once a pulmonary embolism is diagnosed, risk stratification is necessary to define the appropriate management. Currently available treatments may range from anticoagulation alone, catheter-directed thrombolysis, full-dose systemic thrombolysis, catheter embolectomy, surgical embolectomy, and mechanical circulatory support such as extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO)(AU)

Caracterización de los pacientes con enfermedades vasculares periféricas fallecidos en un período de cuatro años / Characterization of patients with peripheral vascular diseases who died in a period of four years

Introducción: Las enfermedades vasculares periféricas constituyen un problema de salud en el ámbito mundial por resultar causa importante de discapacidad y de invalidez. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes con enfermedades vasculares periféricas fallecidos en un período de cuatro años. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo y analítico en los pacientes fallecidos entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2018. Se estudiaron variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. Se estimaron las frecuencias absolutas y relativas, así como la tasa de mortalidad. Se identificó la asociación entre las variables con la causa directa de muerte. Resultados: El 42,7 por ciento de los diabéticos fallecieron; de estos, el 57,5 por ciento estaban descompensados. La hipertensión arterial, el tabaquismo y la diabetes mellitus fueron los factores de riesgo más frecuentes. La tasa de mortalidad total resultó 0,171/1000 ingresos. Como enfermedades arteriales más frecuente aparecieron los AAA (28,1 por ciento ) y la angiopatía diabética (25 por ciento ); y, como parte de esta última, el pie (25,7 por ciento ). La aneurismectomía con injerto por sustitución representó la cirugía revascularizadora más realizada (58,8 por ciento ). El shock hipovolémico y el tromboembolismo pulmonar predominaron como complicaciones posquirúrgicas (15,7 por ciento ). El shock séptico (31,6 por ciento ) y la bronconeumonía bacteriana (25,7 por ciento) fueron las causas directas de muerte. Conclusiones: Se logró caracterizar a los pacientes con enfermedades vasculares periféricas fallecidos en los últimos cuatro años, por lo que estimaron la tasa de prevalencia y la tendencia anual de la mortalidad en el Instituto Nacional de Angiología y Cirugía Vascular en ese período; asimismo, las variables asociadas a las causas directas de muerte(AU)

Introduction: Peripheral vascular diseases are a global health problem because they are a major cause of disability. Objective: Characterize patients with peripheral vascular diseases who died over a period of four years. Method: A descriptive and analytical study was conducted in patients who died between January 2015 and December 2018. Socio-demographic and clinical variables were studied. Absolute and relative frequencies were estimated, as well as the mortality rate. The association between the variables with the direct cause of death was identified. Results: 42.7 percent of diabetic patients died; of these, 57.5 percent were decompensated. High blood pressure, smoking and diabetes mellitus were the most frequent risk factors. The total mortality rate was 0.171/1000 admissions. The most frequent arterial diseases were AAA (28.1 percent) and diabetic angiopathy (25 percent); and, as part of the latter, foot angiopathy (25.7 percent). Aneurysmectomy with graft substitution represented the most performed revascularizing surgery (58.8 percent). Hypovolemic shock and pulmonary thromboembolism predominated as post-surgical complications (15.7 percent). Septic shock (31.6 percent) and bacterial bronchopneumonia (25.7 percent) were the direct causes of death. Conclusions: It was possible to characterize patients with peripheral vascular diseases who died in the last four years, so they estimated the prevalence rate and the annual trend of mortality at the National Institute of Angiology and Vascular Surgery in that period; also, the variables associated with direct causes of death(AU)

Morbi-mortalidad de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en el Hospital Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro" / Morbi-mortality of venous thromboembolic disease at "Arnaldo Milián Castro" University Hospital

Introducción: La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa es un proceso grave y mortal, considerado un problema de salud a escala mundial. Objetivo: Caracterizar la morbi-mortalidad por enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en el Hospital Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro". Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo retrospectivo de corte transversal a una muestra de 290 casos atendidos en el Hospital Universitario "Arnaldo Milián Castro" de Villa Clara, entre febrero de 2014 y febrero de 2016. Las variables fueron: edad, sexo, factores de riesgo, forma de presentación de la enfermedad y tipo de diagnóstico. Resultados: Se observó un predominio del sexo femenino y de los pacientes mayores de 70 años, independientemente del sexo y la inmovilidad como factor de riesgo. La trombosis venosa profunda del sector íleo-femoral fue la forma de presentación más común. El diagnóstico clínico primó, aunque el tromboembolismo pulmonar, como la complicación principal, se diagnosticó por necropsia. La mayor cantidad de trombosis venosa profunda se registró en el Servicio de Angiología, mientras que las muertes por embolia pulmonar predominaron en el Servicio de Terapia Intensiva. El tratamiento médico más utilizado fue la heparina sódica más warfarina; el profiláctico se realizó solo en el 24,7 por ciento de los casos. La heparina sódica se utilizó más en los servicios de Terapia Intensiva. Conclusiones: La enfermedad tromboembólica venosa fue la principal causa de muerte prevenible en el hospital, lo que sugiere que la profilaxis antitrombótica debe resultar una práctica esencial en los pacientes hospitalizados(AU)

Introduction: Venous thromboembolic disease is a serious and fatal process considered a health problem on a global scale. Objective: Characterize morbidity and mortality due to venous thromboembolic disease at "Arnaldo Milián Castro" University Hospital. Methods: A retrospective descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 290 cases treated at "Arnaldo Milián Castro" University Hospital in Villa Clara between February 2014 and February 2016. The variables were: age, sex, risk factors, form of presentation of the disease and type of diagnosis. Results: A predominance of the female sex and patients over 70 years of age was observed, regardless of sex and immobility as risk factors. Deep vein thrombosis of the ileus-femoral sector was the most common form of presentation. Clinical diagnosis prevailed, although pulmonary thromboembolism, as the main complication, was diagnosed by necropsy. The highest amount of deep vein thrombosis was recorded in the Angiology Service, while deaths from pulmonary embolism predominated in the Intensive Care Service. The most commonly used medical treatment was sodium heparin plus warfarin; prophylaxis was performed only in 24.7 percent of cases. Sodium heparin was more used in Intensive Care services. Conclusions: Venous thromboembolic disease was the leading cause of preventable death in the hospital, suggesting that antithrombotic prophylaxis should be an essential practice in hospitalized patients.

Eficácia e segurança de Riociguate comparado ao placebo e a medicamentos disponíveis no sus para tratamento de hipertensão pulmonar tromboembólica crônica: revisão rápida de evidências / Effectiveness and safety of Riociguate compared to placebo and drugs available in brazilian public health for treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension: rapid response review of evidence

Tecnologia: Riociguate e outros medicamentos de controle da hipertensão pulmonar. Indicação: Tratamento de Hipertensão Pulmonar Tomboembólica Crônica (HPTEC). Pergunta: Há superioridade em eficácia e segurança do riociguate, comparado a medicamentos disponíveis no SUS, no tratamento de HPTEC inoperável ou operada com hipertensão pulmonar residual? Métodos: Revisão rápida de evidências (overview) de revisões sistemáticas, com levantamento bibliográfico realizado na base de dados PUBMED, utilizando estratégia estruturada de busca. A qualidade metodológica das revisões sistemáticas foi avaliada com AMSTAR-2 (Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews). Resultados: Foram selecionadas 4 e incluídas 2 revisões sistemáticas. Conclusão: Comparado ao placebo, em tratamento de curto prazo de HPTEC, riociguate melhora a tolerância ao exercício, aumenta a chance de melhora da classificação funcional e tem similar risco de eventos adversos sérios, porém não reduz a mortalidade. Treprostinil tem efeitos similares a riociguate. Entretanto, ambrisentana, bosentana, macitentana ou sildenafila não diferem do placebo no tratamento de HPTEC

Technology: Riociguat and other drugs to control pulmonary hypertension. Indication: Treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Question: Is riociguat more effective and safe than other drugs available in the Brazilian Public Health System for the treatment of inoperable or recurrent CTEPH? Methods: Rapid review of evidence (overview) from systematic reviews, with a bibliographic search in the PUBMED database, using a structured strategy. The methodological quality of systematic reviews was assessed with AMSTAR-2 (Methodological Quality Assessment of Systematic Reviews). Results: Four systematic reviews were selected and two included in this study. Conclusion: Compared to placebo, in the short-term treatment of CTEPH, riociguat improves exercise tolerance, increases the chance of improving functional classification, and has a similar risk of serious adverse events, but does not reduce mortality. Treprostinil has similar effects to riociguat. However, ambrisentan, bosentan, macitentan or sildenafil do not differ from placebo in the treatment of CTEPH

Profilaxia do tromboembolismo venoso nas cirurgias ortopédicas / Venous thromboprophylaxis in orthopedic surgeries

A trombose venosa profunda (TVP) e o tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) são as principais manifestações clínicas do tromboembolismo venoso (TEV). O TEV é uma complicação comum e potencialmente grave das cirurgias ortopédicas, uma vez que pode levar à limitação funcional e morte pós-operatória. O uso da tromboprofilaxia reduz acentuadamente a incidência de TEV relacionado às intervenções ortopédicas, e seu uso é recomendado por diversas diretrizes. Entretanto, a indicação e o tipo de tromboprofilaxia para algumas intervenções ortopédicas, assim como o uso de ferramentas de predição de risco, ainda não estão bem estabelecidos e constituem pontos de debate. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram identificar os fatores de risco para TEV e suas interações nas cirurgias ortopédicas e avaliar a aplicabilidade do escore de risco de Caprini na predição de TEV em pacientes ortopédicos. Além disso, devido à escassez de conhecimento e recomendações sobre tromboprofilaxia nas intervenções ortopédicas de tornozelo e pé, realizaram-se uma revisão narrativa e uma enquete internacional sobre o assunto. Para analisar a interação de fatores de risco de TEV e a aplicabilidade preditiva do escore de Caprini nas cirurgias ortopédicas, foram utilizados os dados do Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of risk factors for venous thrombosis (MEGA), um estudo caso-controle holandês de base populacional cujo desfecho de interesse é o TEV. Neste, 263 indivíduos que tiveram TEV e 94 controles foram submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica. O risco de TEV foi maior nos primeiros 30 dias após a cirurgia [odds ratio ajustada (ORadj) 17,5; intervalo de confiança (IC) 95%, 9,2-33,4] e manteve-se aumentado até 90 dias (ORadj 11,5; IC 95%, 7,3-17,7). Houve interação entre cirurgia ortopédica e mutação fator V Leiden (ORadj 17,5; IC 95%, 4,1-73,6), tipo de sangue não-O (ORadj 11,2; 95% IC, 3,4-34,0) e níveis séricos de fator VIII maiores que 150 mg/dl (ORadj 18,6; IC, 7,4-46,9). Quanto ao escore de Caprini, foram avaliados 357 indivíduos com TEV submetidos à cirurgia ortopédica. Um total de 20,9% dos casos e 41,5% dos controles foram classificados no grupo de menor risco (Caprini < 5 pontos). Pacientes com um escore de Caprini maior que 11 pontos tiveram um risco de TEV seis vezes maior (OR 6,3; IC 95%, 1,7-22,9), e pacientes com um escore de 9 a 10 tiveram um risco três vezes maior (OR 3,5; IC 95% 1,2-10,3). A área sob a curva (AUC) do escore de Caprini foi de 0,64, evidenciando uma discriminação de predição de TEV moderada. Na enquete internacional sobre tromboprofilaxia de pé e tornozelo, 693 cirurgiões ortopédicos de pé e tornozelo de 49 países participaram. Aproximadamente 50% informaram prescrever tromboprofilaxia durante a imobilização do paciente. Quando utilizada, as escolhas preferidas em ordem decrescente foram ácido acetilsalicílico (AAS), heparina de baixo peso molecular (HBPM) e anticoagulantes orais diretos. AAS e HBPM foram predominantemente prescritos na América do Norte e Europa, respectivamente. TVP prévia, imobilidade, obesidade e trombofilia hereditária foram considerados os principais fatores de risco indicativos do uso de tromboprofilaxia. Concluiu-se que: houve risco aumentado de TEV e interação entre os fatores de risco fator V Leiden, níveis elevados de fator VIII e grupo sanguíneo não- O com cirurgia ortopédica; o escore de Caprini é uma ferramenta que pode auxiliar os cirurgiões ortopédicos a classificarem o risco de TEV no pós-operatório, embora seu desempenho preditivo discriminativo tenha sido moderado; apesar de a maioria dos cirurgiões ortopédicos de tornozelo e pé considerarem que a tromboprofilaxia está indicada para cirurgias de tornozelo e pé (principalmente na presença de fatores de risco como TVP prévia, imobilidade, obesidade e trombofilia hereditária), a prescrição, o tipo e a duração apresentam grande discrepância intercontinental. Assim, este trabalho contribui para a identificação de pacientes sob alto risco de TEV, ponto estratégico para o uso individualizado e seguro da tromboprofilaxia como ferramenta para redução do risco de TEV relacionado às cirurgias ortopédicas.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism are the main clinical manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE). VTE is a common and potentially serious complication of orthopedic surgeries, as it can lead to functional limitation and postoperative death. The use of thromboprophylaxis markedly reduces the incidence of VTE related to orthopedic interventions, and its use is recommended by several guidelines. However, the indication and type of thromboprophylaxis for some orthopedic interventions, as well as the use of risk prediction tools are still not well established and is debatable. The objectives of this study were to identify risk factors for VTE and their interactions in orthopedic surgeries and to evaluate the applicability of the Caprini risk score in predicting VTE in orthopedic patients. In addition, due to the lack of knowledge and recommendations on thromboprophylaxis in foot and ankle surgeries, a narrative review and an international survey on the subject were carried out. Data from the MEGA Study (Multiple Environmental and Genetic Assessment of risk factors for venous thrombosis) which is a Dutch population-based case-control study whose outcome of interest is VTE were used. A total of 263 subjects who had VTE and 94 controls underwent orthopedic surgery. The risk of VTE was the highest in the first 30 days after surgery (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 17.5; 95% CI [confidence interval], 9.2-33.4) and remained increased up to 90 days (ORadj, 11.5; 95% CI, 7.3- 17.7). There was interaction between orthopedic surgery and factor V Leiden mutation (ORadj 17.5, 95%CI 4.1-73.6), non-O blood type (ORadj 11.2; 95%CI 3.4-34.0) and factor VIII plasma levels greater than 150 mg/dl (ORadj 18.6; CI 7.4-46.9). To assess the applicability of the Caprini Score, 357 individuals with VTE undergoing orthopedic surgery in the MEGA were evaluated. A total of 20.9% of cases and 41.5% of controls were classified in the lowest risk group (Caprini <5 points). Patients with a Caprini score greater than 11 points had a six-fold increased risk of VTE (OR 6.3, 95% CI 1.7- 22.9) and patients with a score of 9-10 had about three-fold increased risk (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.2-10.3). The area under curve for the Caprini score was 0.64, evidencing a moderate VTE prediction discrimination. In the international survey on foot and ankle thromboprophylaxis, 693 orthopedic foot and ankle surgeons from 49 countries participated. Approximately 50% reported prescribing thromboprophylaxis during patient immobilization that, when used, the preferred choice, in descending order, was acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and direct oral anticoagulants. ASA and LMWH were predominantly prescribed in North America and Europe, respectively. Previous DVT, immobility, obesity and hereditary thrombophilia were considered the main risk factors indicative of the use of thromboprophylaxis. It is concluded that there was increased risk of VTE and interaction between factor V Leiden, high plasma levels of factor VIII or non-O blood group and orthopedic surgery; that the Caprini score is a tool that can help orthopedic surgeons to classify the risk of postoperative VTE, although its discriminative predictive performance was moderate and that although most ankle and foot orthopedic surgeons consider that thromboprophylaxis is indicated for ankle and foot surgeries (especially in the presence of risk factors such as previous DVT, immobility, obesity and hereditary thrombophilia), the prescription, type and duration present a large intercontinental discrepancy. Thus, this work contributed to the identification of patients at high risk of VTE, a strategic point for the individualized and safe use of thromboprophylaxis as a tool to reduce the risk of VTE related to orthopedic surgeries.

A family of hereditary protein S deficiency with the onset of pulmonary embolism and literature review / 中华儿科杂志

Objective: To explore the clinical characteristics and genotype of PROS1 gene related hereditary protein S deficiency (PSD) with the onset of pulmonary embolism in children. Methods: A family with pulmonary embolism was diagnosed as hereditary PSD in the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University First Hospital in November 2020, and the clinical data, including clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, imaging and genetic results, were collected for a retrospective research. The family members were also screened for protein S activity and PROS1 gene mutations. A literature search with "PROS1" "protein S deficiency" "homozygous" and "complex heterozygous" as key words was conducted at PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform (up to October 2021). Case reports of patients with PROS1 gene homozygous or complex heterozygous variants and related clinical features, protein S activity, and genotype were reviewed and analyzed. Results: The proband, a 14-year-old girl, was admitted to the hospital for a 9-day history of coughing and a 4-day history of chest pain in November 2020. After admission, laboratory tests showed that D-dimer was 8.38 mg/L (reference:<0.24 mg/L). An urgent CT pulmonary angiography confirmed bilateral pulmonary embolism and right lower pulmonary infarction, while an ultrasonography showed deep vein thrombosis in her left leg. Further examination revealed that protein S activity was less than 10%. The proband's second sister, a 12-year-old girl, was admitted to the hospital in December 2020. Her protein S activity was 8% and an ultrasonography showed deep vein thrombosis in her right leg. The protein S activity of the proband's father and mother were 36% and 26%, respectively. Trio-whole-exome sequencing detected compound heterozygous PROS1 gene variants (c.-168C>T and c.200A>C (p.E67A)) for the proband and her second sister, that were inherited from her father and mother, respectively. The proband's third sister's protein S activity was 28%; she and the proband's grandfather both carried c.200A>C (p.E67A) variants. The proband and her younger sister were treated with rivaroxaban and responded well during the 3-month follow-up. A total of 1 Chinese report in literature and 18 English literature were retrieved and 14 patients with protein S deficiency caused by homozygous or complex heterozygous variants of PROS1 gene were enrolled, including 8 male and 6 female patients. The ages ranged from 4 days to 35 years. Three patients experienced fulminant purpura or severe intracranial hemorrhage in early neonatal-period, while the remaining 11 patients developed venous thromboembolism in adolescence. Protein S activity was examined in 11 patients, and all showed less than 10% of activity. Missense variants was the most common type of gene variants. Conclusions: For children with pulmonary embolism, if there are no clear risk factors for thrombosis, hereditary protein S deficiency should be considered, and protein S activity should be examined before oral anticoagulant drugs. If protein S activity is less than 10%, protein S deficiency caused by homozygous or complex heterozygous variants should be considered.

Efficacy and safety of percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the efficacy and safety of percutaneous transluminal pulmonary angioplasty (PTPA) in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). Methods: This prospective single arm study included 19 CTEPH patients (7 male, age(56.3±12.5)years) admitted to Wuhan Asia Heart Hospital from January 2017 to June 2019 and received PTPA interventional therapy. Baseline data, including age, sex, WHO functional class, 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), NT-proBNP, right heart catheterization values, were collected. Patients received single or repeated PTPA. Number of dilated vessels from each patient was analyzed, patients were followed up for 24 weeks and right heart catheterization was repeated at 24 weeks post initial PTPA. All-cause death, perioperative complications, and reperfusion pulmonary edema were reported. WHO functional class, 6MWD, NT-proBNP, right heart catheterization values were compared between baseline and at 24 weeks follow up. Results: Nineteen CTEPH patients received a total of 56 PTPA treatments. The pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) decreased from (40.11±7.55) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (27.53±4.75) mmHg (P<0.001), and the total pulmonary resistance (TPR) decreased from (13.00±3.56) Wood U to (5.48±1.56) Wood U (P<0.001), cardiac output increased from (3.19±0.63) L/min to (5.23±0.94) L/minutes (P<0.01) at 24 weeks post PTPA. The WHO functional class improved significantly (P<0.001), 6MWD increased from (307.08±129.51) m to (428.00±112.64) m (P=0.002), the NT-proBNP decreased at 24 weeks post PTPA (P=0.002). During the follow-up period, there was no death; hemoptysis occurred in 4 patients during the operation, none of which resulted in serious adverse clinical consequences. One patient developed reperfusion pulmonary edema and recovered after treatment. Conclusion: PTPA treatment is safe and can significantly improve the hemodynamics and WHO functional class of patients with CTEPH.

Clinical characteristics of patients with acute pulmonary embolism in high altitude area of Yunnan province in China / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To analyze the clinical features of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (APE) living in high altitude area of Yunnan province. Methods: This was a cross-sectional retrospective study. APE patients, hospitalized in our hospital between January 2017 and December 2019, were included. The selected patients were divided into low-risk group, medium-risk group and high-risk group according to risk stratification. The clinical data of patients, including demographic data, the main symptoms, risk factors of APE, heart rate and systolic blood pressure and laboratory testing results (D-dimer, cardiac troponin I (cTNI), N terminal B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)) and echocardiography and electrocardiogram examination results, were obtained through the electronic medical record system. The clinical characteristics of selected patients were analyzed. Results: A total of 392 patients, aged (63.5±15.7) years, 224 males (57.14%), were included in this study and there were 59 low-risk, 304 medium-risk and 29 high-risk patients in this cohort. The main clinical manifestations were chest pain (157(40.05%)), dyspnea (107(27.30%)), hemoptysis (55(14.03%)), syncope as the first symptom (20(5.10%)), and only 6 cases (1.53%) presented with the typical "Virchow's triad". Most of the patients were accompanied by atypical chest tightness (223(56.89%)) and cough (208(53.06%)). The main risk factors were venous thrombosis of lower limbs (179(45.66%)), hypertension (138(35.20%)), surgery (63(16.07%)), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (62(15.82%)). There were 57 cases (14.54%) of coronary heart disease, 57 cases (14.54%) of diabetes, 51 cases (13.01%) of cerebral infarction, 47 cases (12.00%) of advanced age, 15 cases (3.83%) of tumor, 7 cases (1.79%) of activity restriction, 6 cases (1.53%) of pregnancy and 4 cases (1.02%) of hormone use in this cohort. The proportion of lower extremity venous thrombosis was significantly higher in low-risk group than in medium-risk group (P<0.01), COPD was more common in high-risk and medium-risk groups than in low-risk group (P<0.01), hypertension was more common in high-risk group than in medium-and low-risk groups (P<0.01). The proportion of advanced age was significantly higher in medium-risk group than in low-risk group (P<0.01). There were no significant differences in RBC and hemoglobin level between low-, medium-and high-risk groups (P>0.05). The level of D-dimer was significantly higher in high-risk group than in medium-and low-risk groups (P<0.05). Levels of NT-proBNP and cTNI were significantly higher in high-risk group than in medium- and low-risk groups (P<0.05). Increased proportion of cTNI and NT-proBNP was significantly higher in high-risk group than in medium- and low-risk groups (P<0.05). There were 105 (26.79%) patients with pulmonary hypertension (PAH). The incidence of PAH was significantly higher in high-risk group than in low-risk group (P<0.01). There were 104 patients (26.53%) with right ventricular enlargement, and the incidence of right ventricular enlargement was significantly higher in high-risk group than in medium-and low-risk groups (P<0.01). Characteristic changes of electrocardiogram in patient with APE were T-wave inversion of limb leads (98(25.00%)), followed by SⅠQⅢTⅢ (83(21.17%)). Conclusions: The main clinical manifestations of APE in Yunnan high altitude area are chest pain and dyspnea, and syncope is the first symptom in some patients, but the typical "Virchow's triad" is rare. The most common risk factors are lower extremity venous thrombosis, hypertension, and COPD. Clinical symptoms, risk factors and laboratory examination results differ among patients with different risk stratification.

Trauma-induced pulmonary thromboembolism: What's update? / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

Trauma-induced pulmonary thromboembolism is the second leading cause of death in severe trauma patients. Primary fibrinolytic hyperactivity combined with hemorrhage and consequential hypercoagulability in severe trauma patients create a huge challenge for clinicians. It is crucial to ensure a safe anticoagulant therapy for trauma patients, but a series of clinical issues need to be answered first, for example, what are the risk factors for traumatic venous thromboembolism? How to assess and determine the status of coagulation dysfunction of patients? When is the optimal timing to initiate pharmacologic prophylaxis for venous thromboembolism? What types of prophylactic agents should be used? How to manage the anticoagulation-related hemorrhage and to determine the optimal timing of restarting chemoprophylaxis? The present review attempts to answer the above questions.

Uma Apresentação Rara de COVID-19 com Embolia Pulmonar / A Rare Presentation of COVID-19 with Pulmonary Embolism

Resumo A doença de coronavírus 2019 (COVID-19) foi relatada em quase todos os países do mundo desde dezembro de 2019. A infecção por SARS-CoV-2 é frequentemente assintomática ou com sintomas leves, mas também pode levar à hipóxia, um estado hiperinflamatório e coagulopatia. Os parâmetros de coagulação anormais estão associados a complicações trombóticas, incluindo embolia pulmonar na COVID-19, mas pouco se sabe sobre os mecanismos. A semelhança dos sintomas iniciais de ambas as doenças também pode ser confusa, portanto, os médicos devem estar cientes do potencial para condições concomitantes. Apresentamos aqui um caso que não apresentava opacidades em vidro fosco nos pulmões, mas apresentava embolia pulmonar e derrame pleural em associação com infecção por COVID-19.

Abstract Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been reported in almost every country in the world since December 2019. Infection with SARS-CoV-2 is often asymptomatic or with mild symptoms, but it may also lead to hypoxia, a hyperinflammatory state, and coagulopathy. The abnormal coagulation parameters are associated with thrombotic complications, including pulmonary embolism in COVID-19, but little is known about the mechanisms. The similarity of initial symptoms of both diseases can also be confusing, therefore the physicians should be aware of the potential for concurrent conditions. Herein, we present a case who did not have ground-glass opacities in the lungs, yet presented with pulmonary embolism and pleural effusions in association with COVID-19 infection.