Venous Thrombosis and Hypercoagulability in the Abdomen and Pelvis: Causes and Imaging Findings.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), which includes deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. In recent decades, US, CT, and MRI have surpassed catheter-based angiography as the imaging examinations of choice for evaluation of vascular structures and identification of thrombus owing to their ready availability, noninvasive nature, and, in the cases of US and MRI, lack of exposure to ionizing radiation. As a result, VTE and associated complications are commonly identified in day-to-day radiologic practice across a variety of clinical settings. A wide range of hereditary and acquired conditions can increase the risk for development of venous thrombosis, and many patients with these conditions may undergo imaging for unrelated reasons, leading to the incidental detection of VTE or one of the associated complications. Although the development of VTE may be an isolated occurrence, the imaging findings, in conjunction with the clinical history and vascular risk factors, may indicate a predisposing condition or underlying diagnosis. Furthermore, awareness of the many clinical conditions that result in an increased risk of venous thrombosis may aid in detection of thrombus and any concomitant complications. For these reasons, it is important that practicing radiologists be familiar with the multimodality imaging findings of thrombosis, understand the spectrum of diseases that contribute to the development of thrombosis, and recognize the potential complications of hypercoagulable states and venous thrombosis. Online DICOM image stacks and supplemental material are available for this article. ©RSNA, 2020.

The role of anticoagulation in pylephlebitis: a retrospective examination of characteristics and outcomes.

Pylephlebitis, or suppurative thrombophlebitis of the portal vein, typically occurs in the context of an intraabdominal infection or abdominal sepsis. Antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment. The role of anticoagulation in the management of pylephlebitis is controversial, and data regarding its impact on outcomes is limited. The records of 67 consecutive patients with pylephlebitis treated at our institution over a 19 year period were retrospectively reviewed. Data was gathered regarding their baseline characteristics, presentations, management, and outcomes. Patients who did and did not receive anticoagulation were compared. Outcomes of interest included survival, portal vein thrombosis (PVT) resolution, development of chronic symptomatic portal hypertension, and major bleeding. Forty-seven patients received anticoagulation and 20 did not. The anticoagulated and non-anticoagulated groups did not differ significantly with respect to potential covariates or confounders. Anticoagulated patients had significantly higher rates of PVT resolution than non-anticoagulated patients (58% vs. 21%, p = 0.0201). This translated to lower rates of future chronic portal hypertensive symptoms among anticoagulated patients (11% vs. 47%, p = 0.0034). Anticoagulated patients had a trend toward improved survival however this improvement was not significant on multivariable analysis. There was no significant difference in rates of major bleeding between groups. Thrombophilia testing was common in this cohort however the occurrence of meaningful positive results was exceedingly low. Anticoagulation significantly improves the rate of PVT resolution, and significantly reduces the rate of chronic symptomatic portal hypertension, among patients with pylephlebitis. Treatment of pylephlebitis should incorporate the use of systemic anticoagulation whenever possible.

Assessment of hypercoagulability using thromboelastography predicts advanced status in renal cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Thromboelastography (TEG) has been established as a sensitive method to assess the whole coagulation process. The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnosis significance of TEG on hypercoagulability in patients suffering renal mass. METHODS: A total of 478 patients were diagnosed with renal tumor by histolopathologic examination and were assigned to three groups. Group A: 79 patients with benign renal tumor; Group B: 317 patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC, Fuhrman grades I and II); Group C: 82 patients with high-risk RCC (Fuhrman grades III and IV). Subgroup analysis was performed in malignant renal tumor patients according to the TMN classification. The clinical data, whole blood TEG, and conventional coagulation tests were reviewed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between subgroups in respect to conventional coagulation tests. Hypercoagulablity was marked in Group C according to the TEG parameters. The elevated platelets and fibrinogen is linked with hypercoagulability in renal tumor. The positive correlation was between fibrinogen and MA value (r = .663, P < .05). The pathologic tumor stages were also associated with the TEG parameters. CONCLUSION: Patients suffering advanced RCC are hypercoagulable which can be identified by TEG. MA value could be potential diagnosis indicators for detecting high-grade RCC.

Hypercoagulability after distal pancreatectomy: Just meaningless alterations?

BACKGROUND: Perioperative and short-term postoperative parameters are similar comparing spleen-preserving distal pancreatectomy (SPDP) and distal pancreatectomy with splenectomy (DPS). But there are no sound data evaluating the long term risk of postoperative thromboses and infectious complications after splenectomy. The present study evaluated whether the coagulation status differs in patients after SPDP and DPS, and whether that matters clinically. METHODS: A total of 41 patients after DP (SPDP = 20; DPS = 21) were followed up, focusing on alterations of patient coagulation and immune status. To assess kinetics of the coagulation process, qualitative tests (multiple platelet function analyzer, rotational thrombelastography) were used in addition to global coagulation tests. RESULTS: Coagulation tests revealed a significant enhanced tendency for blood-platelet aggregation and coagulation activation in patients after DPS compared to patients after SPDP. No septic or thromboembolic events were observed in any patient. CONCLUSION: Hypercoagulability in splenectomized patients persists over years. Thus, a correlation of this finding with thromboembolic events and mortality years after splenectomy should to be performed in a large cohort.

A case of hereditary thrombophilia in a Chinese Han patient with both antithrombin deficiency and Factor V Leiden: A case report and literature review.

Hereditary thrombophilia is a blood coagulation disorder that increases the risk of venous thromboembolism, due to several genetic risk factors. Factor V Leiden(FVL) is the most common contributing factor to thrombophilia in the Caucasian population but very rare in Asian population and concurrent occurrence of antithrombin(AT) deficiency and FVL in Chinese Han population is even more rare. We report the case of a 22-year-old female who experienced recurrent intracranial venous thromboses, furthermore, color Doppler ultrasound showed multiple extracranial thromboses. Thrombophilia was suspected and screening tests indicated decreased AT activity and activated protein C sensitivity ratio, then further sequencing analysis identified missense mutations in SERPINC1 and F5. The patient's condition slightly improved after treatment with low molecular heparin during hospitalization followed by oral warfarin after discharge. The present report highlights a very rare case of thrombophilia with concurrent occurrence of AT deficiency and FVL in a Chinese Han patient, and our findings suggest that genetic testing is a reliable approach for identifying different risk factors.

Poor Outcome of Stroke Patients With Atrial Fibrillation in the Presence of Coexisting Spontaneous Echo Contrast.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is frequently detected in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Coexisting SEC in patients with AF may be associated with heightened thrombogenicity, which affects stroke outcomes. METHODS: Consecutive stroke patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography were included in this study. We compared initial stroke severity and functional outcome at 3 months between the patients with and those without SEC. RESULTS: Of 440 patients with nonvalvular AF who underwent transesophageal echocardiography during a 7-year period, 193 (43.9%) patients had SEC. Stroke was more severe in the patients with SEC than in those without SEC (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score: median [interquartile range], 5 [2-12] versus 3 [1-8]; P=0.004). The patients with SEC more frequently had poor functional outcomes (modified Rankin scale score of >2) at 3 months than those without SEC (32.3% versus 16.1%; P<0.001). On multivariate analysis, the presence of SEC was an independent factor of poor outcome (odds ratio, 2.09; 95% confidence interval, 1.24-3.53). CONCLUSIONS: In the ischemic stroke patients with nonvalvular AF, coexisting SEC was associated with more severe stroke and was predictive of poor long-term functional outcome.

Congenital limb deficiencies with vascular etiology: Possible association with maternal thrombophilia.

Congenital limb deficiency defects (LDDs) are etiologically heterogeneous. Acquired causes include amniotic bands, teratogens exposure, and chorionic villus sampling before 10 weeks' gestation and intrinsic causes include single-gene disorders and chromosome abnormalities. However, a substantial number of cases, especially terminal transverse deficiency defects, occur without an obvious cause and are ascribed to vascular disruption events. Some studies have found an association between maternal thrombophilia and congenital LDDs. We investigated this association through a review of all prenatally identified LDDs at a major tertiary care center in Toronto, Canada over a 12-year period. Our results showed a higher prevalence of thrombophilias among women with a pregnancy affected with an LDD when compared to the general population [χ2 (3) = 54.63, P < 0.01]. Our research was strengthened by the inclusion of affected pregnancies regardless of outcome, and strict criteria to avoid including LDDs with a non-vascular etiology. Most LDDs were identified during the routine 18-20 week anatomy ultrasound, but some were discovered as early as 13 weeks' gestation. We found an excess of left-sided defects among terminal transverse but not longitudinal deficiencies; additionally, all diagnoses of maternal thrombophilia occurred in the terminal transverse group. Our results support thrombophilia screening in all women with a prenatally diagnosed fetal LDD as well as careful evaluation of the fetal extremities during prenatal ultrasounds in women with a known thrombophilia. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Impact of coagulation in the development of thromboembolic events in patients with spinal cord injury.

STUDY DESIGN: Although the knowledge described about risk factors and venous thromboembolism (VT) in the general population, the impact of these factors in the development of thromboembolic events in patients with spinal injury (SI) caused by spinal cord injury (SCI) is poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the impact of risk factors in the development of thromboembolic events in patients with SCI. SETTING: Brazil, São Paulo. METHODS: Observational, prospective and cross-study. Eligible patients (n=100) had SI by SCI, >18 years. The degree of motor and sensory lesion was evaluated based on American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) Impairment Scale (AIS). Blood samples were collected for coagulation exams, hemogram, laboratory and biochemical analyses. Ultrasonography analyzes were performed from deep and superficial venous systems of lower limbs. Quantitative real-time PCR experiments were performed in order to investigate mutations in the prothrombin (G20210A) and Leiden factor V (G1691A) genes. RESULTS: The main finding of this study was the higher occurrence of deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in patients with Leiden factor V and hyperhomocysteinemia. There was no association between SI for DVT, VT and thrombophilia. Also, there was no relation between lupus anticoagulant and anti-cardiolipin. CONCLUSION: There is an important difference in the incidence of DVT in patients with SI by acute and chronic SCI. Therefore, the conduct of the investigation for thrombophilia should be based on clinical factors, risk factors for DVT and family history of thrombosis.

Comparison of uterine artery Doppler in pregnant women with thrombophilia treated by LMWHs and without thrombophilia.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to use uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography to investigate the cases of women with thrombophilia who used LMWH during the 18-22-week period of gestation. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at our university between January 2005 and July 2010. 64 patients were treated with low-dose LMWHs (enoxaparine 40 mg) from the beginning of pregnancy until 36 weeks of gestation. Fifty control subjects were also included in this study. Transabdominal ultrasound examination and bilateral uterine artery Doppler measurements pulsatility index (PI), resistive index (RI), and systole/diastole measurement (S/D) were performed during the 18-22-weeks period of gestation. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the groups with respect to maternal age or gestational age at the time of uterine artery Doppler. However, the mean PI (1.07 ± 0.46 for LMWH group and 0.91 ± 0.31 for control, p = 0.036) and the mean RI (0.59 ± 0.12 for LMWH group and 0.54 ± 0.10 for control, p = 0.021) were significantly higher in the trombophilia group. CONCLUSION: Women with trombophilia still have an increased mean PI and RI, as determined by uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography during the 18-22-week period of gestation, even if they use LMWH.

[Assessment of uterine arteries Doppler in the first half of pregnancy in women with thrombophilia]. / Ocena przeplywów krwi w tetnicach macicznych w pierwszej polowie ciazy u pacjentek z trombofilia.

OBJECTIVES: Assessment of uterine artery blood flow in women with congenital thrombophilia and antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) in the first half of pregnancy MATERIAL AND METHODS: Uterine arteries blood flow was assessed in a Doppler examination in 20 women with thrombophilia (15 with congenital thrombophilia, 5 with APS) at 12 and 20 weeks gestation at the Division of Reproduction, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, between 2000 and 2012 The control group consisted of 20 multiparous pregnant women with no history of pregnancy complications. All patients with thrombophilia received enoxaparin or enoxaparin and aspirin before enrollment into the study Patients from the control group did not receive any antithrombotic prophylaxis. The mean Pulsatility Index (PI) of both uterine arteries and the presence or the absence of the "notch" was assessed, both at 12 and 20 weeks gestation in each patient from the study and from the control groups. RESULTS: Mean PI values in the uterine arteries at 12 weeks in patients with thrombophilia and in controls were 1.82 (1.00-3.13) and 1.52 (1.30-1.88), respectively (p = 0.08). Mean PI value in the uterine arteries was 7.27 (0.61-2.48) in women with thrombophilia at 20 weeks, which turned out to be significantly higher (p = 0.026) than in the control group 1.07 (0.8-1.24). The bilateral "notch" was found at 12 weeks gestation in 40% of patients with thrombophilia vs. 0% in the control group (p = 0.03). There was no significant difference between the groups in this parameter at 20 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: 1. An increased impedance of flow was found in the uterine arteries in patients with thrombophilia at 12 and 20 weeks gestation in spite of antithrombotic prophylaxis. 2. Thrombotic episodes in patients with thrombophilia cannot be explained solely by the presence of placental thrombosis.

Acute pulmonary thromboembolism caused by factor V Leiden mutation in South Korea: A case report.

RATIONALE: Although Factor V Leiden (FVL) mutation is a major cause of inherited thrombophilia in Western populations; the mutation is extremely rare in Asia. PATIENT CONCERNS: Here we report a case of a 28-year old Korean woman admitted to our hospital with extensive pulmonary embolism. DIAGNOSIS: She was heterozygous for FVL mutation up on evaluation, and screening for asymptomatic family members also revealed heterozygous FVL mutation for her mother. INTERVENTIONS: Enoxaparin 1 mg/kg was initiated, followed by rivaroxaban 15 mg every 12 hours. OUTCOMES: The patient showed improvement in both subjective dyspnea and right ventricular dysfunction and was successfully discharged after five hospital days. LESSONS: FVL mutation screening may be considered in Asian patients with thrombophilia of uncertain etiology in the future.

Uterine Radial Artery Resistance Index Predicts Reproductive Outcome in Women with Recurrent Pregnancy Losses and Thrombophilia.

Uterine radial artery resistance index (URa-RI) by Doppler ultrasound may reflect the changes in the uteroplacental circulation and be associated with adverse events in early pregnancy. Recurrent pregnancy losses (RPL) are associated with thrombophilia, and anticoagulation treatment with low molecular weight heparin improves pregnancy outcome in women with RPL and thrombophilia. A retrospective cohort study was conducted in 139 pregnant women with 3 or more RPL and thrombophilia. The relationship between pregnancy outcome and dynamic changes of URa-RI was analyzed in 116 women who delivered a liveborn infant and 23 who miscarried the index pregnancy. Patients were on preconception low molecular weight heparin, low-dose aspirin (81mg per day), and prednisone treatment. URa-RI was measured during periovulation time, at the time of positive pregnancy test, and then repeated every two weeks until 32-week gestation or the time of miscarriage. The URa-RI at 8-week gestation was significantly higher in women who miscarried the index pregnancy than those who delivered alive born infant (0.51±0.08 vs. 0.42±0.03, P<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that URa-RI of 8 wk gestation effectively distinguished women who miscarried from those who had a live birth with an area under the curve of 82.6% (95% CI 69.01-97.17). After adjusting for covariates including age, BMI, and number of miscarriages, multiple logistic regression models showed that each 0.1 unit increase of URa-RI of 8 wk gestation was associated with 18.70-point increase in the risk of miscarriage (OR19.70, 95%CI 4.26-91.1, P<0.001), and women with an URa-RI≥0.45 had an OR of 49.48 (95% CI 8.01-307.95; P<0.001) for miscarriage compared to those who had URa-RI<0.45. In women with RPL and inherited thrombophilia, increased URa-RI at 8-week gestation was associated with spontaneous abortion independent of other risk factors while they were on anticoagulation treatment.

Generalized alterations in the biomechanical properties of large veins in non-thrombotic thrombophilic young patients.

AIM: In young, post-thrombotic patients, venous distensibility is decreased not only in the affected lower limb, but also in the contralateral limb and in the jugular vein when compared to age-matched control subjects. In the present study, we investigated venous wall mechanical properties in young, asymptomatic thrombophilic patients. METHODS: Eleven young (24+/-0.4 years) control subjects and 9 age-matched patients (21.1+/-1.8 years) with proven thrombophilic molecular defects, but without any signs or history of previous deep vein thrombosis, were compared. Anterolateral and mediolateral diameters of the common femoral, axillary and internal jugular veins were measured by ultrasonography in situ. Pressure alterations were induced by altering body positions and by pressure-controlled Valsalva tests. Distensibility was calculated from diameter and pressure changes. RESULTS: In thrombophilic patients, resting diameter of both the common femoral and of internal jugular veins at low transmural pressure was larger than those for the control subjects. Distensibility, however, was significantly less when high pressures were applied. Alterations in diameter of the axillary vein were minimal. CONCLUSION: Our measurements suggest that there are generalized changes in venous mechanical properties in thrombophilic patients even before the appearance of thrombotic processes. These biomechanical alterations of the venous wall and/or surrounding connective tissue are similar to those found in connection with aging and in post-thrombotic patients. The pathological mechanisms behind these processes are unknown.

Thrombophilia in the young.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a rare disease that is being increasingly diagnosed and recognized in paediatrics in the past decade, usually as a secondary complication of primary severe underlying diseases. Apart from acquired thrombophilic risk factors, such as lupus anticoagulants, inherited thrombophilias (IT) have been established as risk factors for venous thromboembolic events in adults. In children with idiopathic VTE and in paediatric populations in which thromboses were associated with underlying medical diseases, IT have been described as additional prothrombotic risk factors. Follow-up data for VTE recurrence in children are available and suggest a recurrence rate of approximately 3% in neonates and 8% in other children. Here we present a review of the impact of IT on early onset of VTE and recurrence in children. Statistically significant associations between the IT traits investigated, e.g. factor V G1691A, factor II G20210A, protein C-, protein S-, antithrombin deficiency, elevated lipoprotein (a), combined IT and VTE onset were reported. In addition, statistically significant associations with recurrent VTE were calculated for protein S-, antithrombin-deficiency, and the factor II variant and combined IT. The absolute risk increase for VTE recurrence associated with IT ranged from 9.8 % for children carrying the factorII variant to 26% and 29% in children with combined IT and protein S-deficiency, respectively. Data obtained gave evidence that the detection of IT is clinically meaningful in children with VTE and underlines the importance of a paediatric thrombophilia screening program. Based on these data treatment algorithms have to be discussed.

Secondary Omental Infarction in a Patient with a Hypercoagulable State.

Omental infarction is a rare cause of acute and non-specific abdominal pain. We report a case of a 46-year-old man who presented to the emergency room with right upper quadrant cramping pain that was of sudden onset. The patient's presentation was later diagnosed as an omental infarction, by an abdominal CT. After extensive work-up, it was revealed that the cause of the patient's omental infarction was secondary to a hypercoagulable state caused by antiphospholipid syndrome, based on his thrombophilia work-up. The patient was successfully managed conservatively and was started on lifelong anticoagulation. The patient was followed up with an abdominal CT after 2 months into therapy, which showed a decrease in the size of the omental infarction and a significant improvement in his state.