Venous thromboembolism and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: the Venous Thrombo-Embolism and Sclerosis Lateral Amyotrophic study.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a severe neurodegenerative disease. Given the inflammatory nature of ALS and the high number of ALS-related clinical circumstances (eg, prolonged immobilization and infections), patients with ALS may have a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Objectives: To determine the annual incidence rate of VTE and the predictors of VTE in patients with ALS. Methods: We analyzed a prospective cohort of patients with ALS diagnosed between 2009 and 2019 followed in the Brest University Hospital ALS Centre. Results: Among 227 patients with ALS, VTE occurred in 19 patients during a median follow-up period of 717 days (IQR, 488-1308), yielding an annual incidence rate of 2.93% (95% CI, 1.88%-4.53%). Predictors for VTE were a family history of VTE (hazard ratio [HR], 15.24; 95% CI, 1.72-134.84; P = .01), the presence of noninvasive ventilation at ALS diagnosis (HR, 6.98; 95% CI, 1.09-44.59; P = .04) and a short time (ie, <213 days) between first symptoms and ALS diagnosis (HR, 5.48; 95% CI, 1.57-19.11; P = .01). Recurrent VTE occurred within 3 months after stopping anticoagulation in 5 patients (26.3%). Conclusion: The annual incidence of VTE in patients with ALS is high. Predictive factors of VTE were a VTE history, noninvasive ventilation, and a short time between first symptoms of ALS and ALS diagnosis.

Pulmonary embolism diagnostic strategies in patients with COPD exacerbation: Post-hoc analysis of the PEP trial.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of pulmonary embolism (PE) is approximately 11-17 % in patients with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AE-COPD). The optimal diagnostic strategy for PE in these patients remains undetermined. AIMS: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of standard (revised Geneva and Wells PE scores combined with fixed D-dimer cut-off) and computed tomography pulmonary angiogram (CTPA)-sparing diagnostic strategies (ADJUST-PE, YEARS, PEGeD, 4PEPS) in patients with AE-COPD. METHOD: Post-hoc analyses of data from the multicenter prospective PEP study were performed. The primary outcome was the diagnostic failure rate of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during the entire study period. Secondary outcomes included diagnostic failure rate of PE and deep venous thrombosis (DVT), respectively, during the entire study period and the number of CTPA needed per diagnostic strategy. RESULTS: 740 patients were included. The revised Geneva and Wells PE scores combined with fixed D-dimer cut-off had a diagnostic failure rate of VTE of 0.7 % (95%CI 0.3 %-1.7 %), but >70.0 % of the patients needed imaging. All CTPA-sparing diagnostic algorithms reduced the need for CTPAs (-10.1 % to -32.4 %, depending on the algorithm), at the cost of an increased VTE diagnosis failure rate of up to 2.1 % (95%CI 1.2 %-3.4 %). CONCLUSION: Revised Geneva and Wells PE scores combined with fixed D-dimer cut-off were safe, but a high number of CTPA remained needed. CTPA-sparing algorithms would reduce imaging, at the cost of an increased VTE diagnosis failure rate that exceeds the safety threshold. Further studies are needed to improve diagnostic management in this population.

Venous Thromboembolism Associated with Assisted Reproductive Technology: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Hormonal exposure leads to an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) but the risk of VTE associated with assisted reproductive technology (ART) is not clearly determined. METHODS: We searched in PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library databases and identified all relevant articles published up to February 1, 2021. The primary objective was to determine the frequency of VTE associated with ART. Secondary objectives were to determine (1) the risk of VTE associated with ART as compared to pregnancy without ART; (2) the risk of VTE associated with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS); and (3) to determine potential risk factors of VTE related to ART. RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included. The overall frequency of VTE associated with ART was 0.23% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.07-0.46). Women undergoing ART had a two- to threefold increased risk of VTE as compared to spontaneous pregnancy (relative risk [RR]: 2.66; 95% CI: 1.60-4.43). The overall frequency of VTE specifically related to OHSS was <0.001%. The risk of VTE after ART complicated by OHSS, as compared to ART without OHSS, was higher but not statistically significant (RR: 14.83; 95% CI: 0.86-255.62). Risk factors of VTE associated with ART were in vitro fertilization procedure (RR, odds ratio [OR], and hazard ratio varying from 1.77, 95% CI: 1.41-2.23 to 4.99, 95% CI: 1.24-20.05), hyperhomocysteinemia (OR: 15.2; 95% CI: 2.0-115.0), polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) (RR: 4.8; 95% CI: 1.7-13.4), successful ART leading to pregnancy (OR: 13.94; 95% CI: 1.41-137.45). CONCLUSION: Further large prospective studies on risk factors of VTE in women undergoing ART are needed in order to optimize thromboprophylaxis in this context.

Frequency and predictors for chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension after a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism: Results from PADIS studies.

BACKGROUND: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life-threatening complication of a pulmonary embolism (PE) whose incidence and predictors are not precisely determined. OBJECTIVE: To determine the frequency and predictors for CTEPH after a first unprovoked PE. PATIENTS/METHODS: In a randomized trial comparing an additional 18-month warfarin versus placebo in patients after a first unprovoked PE initially treated with vitamin K antagonist for 6 months, we applied recommended CTEPH screening strategies through an 8-year follow-up to determine cumulative incidence of CTEPH. CTEPH predictors were estimated using Cox models. Pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) at PE diagnosis and 6 months were studied by receiver operating curves analysis. All CTEPH cases and whether they were incident or prevalent were adjudicated. RESULTS: During a median follow-up of 8.7 years, nine CTEPH cases were diagnosed among 371 patients, with a cumulative incidence of 2.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-4.64), and of 1.31% (95% CI 0.01-2.60) after exclusion of five cases adjudicated as prevalent. At PE diagnosis, PVO > 45% and sPAP > 56 mmHg were associated with CTEPH with a hazard ratio (HR) of 33.00 (95% CI 1.64-667.00, p = .02) and 12.50 (95% CI 2.10-74.80, p < .01), respectively. Age > 65 years, lupus anticoagulant antibodies and non-O blood groups were also predictive of CTEPH. PVO > 14% and sPAP > 34 mmHg at 6 months were associated with CTEPH (HR 63.90 [95% CI 3.11-1310.00, p < .01]and HR 17.2 [95% CI 2.75-108, p < .01]). CONCLUSION: After a first unprovoked PE, CTEPH cumulative incidence was 2.8% during an 8-year follow-up. PVO and sPAP at PE diagnosis and at 6 months were the main predictors for CTEPH diagnosis.

Asthma and smoking: A review.

Asthma occurrence is often associated with cigarette smoking. Surprisingly, active smokers are excluded from most clinical studies. Prevalence of asthma associated with smoking appears to be similar to asthma in the general population. However, in active smokers, asthma tends to be more difficult to manage and more severe. Several studies have demonstrated a poor response to inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and an accelerated decline of lung function. Smoking decreases exhaled NO rate and down-regulates ICS receptors, which is associated with increased oxidative stress. Data on biologic therapies are scarce. Finally, nicotine dependence seems higher in asthmatic patients and smoking cessation is thus more difficult.

The SQ HDM SLIT-Tablet is safe and well tolerated in patients with House Dust Mite allergic rhinitis with or without asthma: A "real-life" French study.

BACKGROUND: The SQ House Dust Mite (HDM) SubLingual ImmunoTherapy (SLIT)-Tablet (Acarizax) is the only allergen immunotherapy authorized by European regulatory authorities to treat HDM-induced allergic asthma (AA) that is not well-controlled by inhaled corticosteroids and associated with mild-to-severe HDM allergic rhinitis (AR). The aim of this study was to add evidence on the safety of the SQ HDM SLIT-Tablet in patients with AR, alone or with AA, under real-life conditions. METHODS: This was a French "real-life", multicenter, non-comparative, longitudinal, prospective study. It included patients initiating the SQ HDM SLIT-Tablet for either persistent moderate-to-severe HDM AR or AA not well-controlled by inhaled corticosteroids and associated with mild-to-severe HDM AR. Adverse Events (AEs) were collected at the first intake and throughout the study. Logistic regression was used to compare safety according to asthma control before treatment initiation. RESULTS: Between May 09, 2018 and May 29, 2019, 1526 patients were enrolled at 185 sites and 1483 were included in the safety population (SAF). Of them, 33.6% had suspected clinical manifestations of AA. Asthma was uncontrolled for 18.2% of the patients, partially controlled for 27.9% and well-controlled for 53.8%. Overall, 31.9% of the SAF patients experienced at least one AE. The percentage of patients with AEs was 29.9% among patients with AR alone and 35.9% among those with AA (p = 0.0193). No significant difference was observed in the rate of AE or SAE depending on asthma control at inclusion (2.2% of SAEs reported for patients with uncontrolled asthma, 1.4% for partly controlled and 1.1% for well-controlled). CONCLUSIONS: The overall results indicate a good SQ HDM SLIT-Tablet safety profile consistent with that reported in previous studies, regardless of asthma control.

Risk stratification for predicting recurrent venous thromboembolism after discontinuation of anticoagulation: a post hoc analysis of a French prospective multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to validate and to refine current recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk classification. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis of a multicentre cohort including 1881 patients with a first symptomatic VTE prospectively followed after anticoagulation discontinuation. The primary objective was to validate the International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) risk classification in predicting recurrence risk. The secondary objective was to evaluate a refined ISTH classification based on the recurrence risk estimate for each individual risk factor. RESULTS: During a 4.8-year median follow-up after anticoagulation discontinuation, symptomatic recurrent VTE occurred in 230 patients (12.2%). Based on the ISTH classification, patients with unprovoked VTE or VTE with minor or major persistent risk factors had a 2-fold increased recurrence risk compared with those with VTE and major transient risk factors. Recurrence risk was not increased in patients with minor transient factors (hazard ratio (HR) 1.31, 95% CI 0.84-2.06). Individual risk factors analysis identified hormone-related VTE (pregnancy: HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.08-0.82; oestrogens: HR 0.25, 95% CI 0.14-0.47) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (HR 5.84, 95% CI 1.82-18.70). After reclassification of these factors as major transient for the former and major persistent for the latter, the modified ISTH classification allowed us to accurately discriminate between patients at low risk of recurrence (i.e. with major transient risk factors) and those at high risk of recurrence (i.e. without major transient risk factors). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients who stopped anticoagulation after a first VTE, a refined ISTH classification based on recurrence risk intensity of individual factors allowed discrimination between patients at low recurrence risk, including hormonal exposure in women, and patients at high recurrence risk.

Association between obstructive sleep apnea and venous thromboembolism recurrence: results from a French cohort.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence suggests the relationship between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Few studies focused on VTE recurrence risk associated with OSA after anticoagulation cessation. METHODS: In a prospective cohort study, patients with documented VTE, were followed for an indefinite length of time and VTE recurrence were documented and adjudicated. The primary outcome was recurrent VTE after anticoagulation discontinuation. Secondary outcomes included all-cause mortality and the clinical presentation of VTE. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to identify risk factors for recurrence and mortality. RESULTS: Among the 2109 patients with documented VTE included, 74 patients had moderate to severe OSA diagnosis confirmed by home sleep test or polysomnography. During a median follow-up of 4.8 (interquartile range 2.5-8.0) years recurrent VTE occurred in 252 patients (9 with OSA and 243 without OSA). The recurrence risk in the univariable and multivariable analysis was not increased in patients with OSA, regardless of the time of diagnosis (before or after index VTE or pooled). VTE phenotype was significantly more often PE with or without associated deep vein thrombosis in the first event and recurrence for OSA patients compared to non-OSA patients. The risk of death was not increased in the OSA population compared to non-OSA patients in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with OSA and VTE, the risk of all-cause mortality and VTE recurrence after anticoagulation discontinuation was not increased compared to non-OSA patients.

Risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism and bleeding in patients with interstitial lung disease: a cohort study.

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses various parenchymal lung disorders, which has the potential to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). To evaluate, in patients with ILD and VTE, the risk of recurrent VTE during follow-up after stopping anticoagulation. This was a cohort of patients with a first VTE recruited between 1997 and 2015. The primary outcome was adjudicated fatal or nonfatal recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation. Main secondary outcomes were major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding under anticoagulation. Among 4314 patients with VTE, 50 had ILD diagnosed before VTE. Of these, anticoagulation was stopped in 30 patients after a median duration of 180 days and continued indefinitely in 20 patients. During a median follow-up of 27.8 months after anticoagulation discontinuation, recurrent VTE occurred in 15 on 30 patients (annual incidence of 19.2 events per 100-person-years [95%CI 12.0-29.3], case-fatality rate of 6.7% [95%CI 1.21-29.8]). The risk of recurrence was threefold higher when VTE was unprovoked and case-fatality rate of recurrence was increased by 3 when VTE index was PE. During the anticoagulant period, (median duration of 8.6 months), 6 patients had a major or clinically relevant bleeding (annual incidence of 7.3 events per 100-person-years [95%CI 3.4-15.1], case-fatality rate of 16.7% [95%CI 3.0-56.4]). In patients with ILD, the risk of recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation and the risk of bleeding under anticoagulation were very high. Our results suggest that anticoagulation should not be prolonged beyond 3-6 months of anticoagulation in most of cases.

Screening for COPD in primary care, involving dentists, pharmacists, physiotherapists, nurses and general practitioners (the UNANIME pilot study).

BACKGROUND: COPD is underdiagnosed and is projected to be the third cause of death in 2030. However, recent reviews do not recommend screening for COPD in the general population. METHODS: We conducted a prospective study to assess the feasibility of implementing COPD screening in a high-risk COPD population, with the help of various healthcare professionals (General practitioners, pharmacists, dentists, physiotherapists, and nurses). Participants filled out a questionnaire, performed a spirometry (COPD6™) and counselling was performed, including smoking cessation and chest physician referral. Participants were contacted at two months to evaluate the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: Between April 7th, 2017 and July 30th, 2018, 157 participants filled out the questionnaires, performed spirometry and were contacted at two months. Thirty-five out of 157 (22% [95% CI, 15.8-28.8]) participants were detected with an airflow obstruction (FEV1/FEV6 < 0.7), using COPD6™ device. At the two-month-contact, 68 participants (43%, [95%CI 35.5-51.1]) were engaged in a smoking cessation program and 22 (14% [95 % CI, 8.6-19.4]) reported having quit smoking. CONCLUSION: This pilot study suggested that a predefined screening of COPD by different healthcare professionals could be implemented in primary care and might be part of counselling for smoking cessation (NCT03104348 on ClinicalTrials.gov).

Effect of Local Anesthesia on Pain During Arterial Puncture: The GAEL Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND: Arterial puncture is often painful for patients. The aim of this study was to compare use of local anesthesia as a eutectic mixture of 2 local anesthetics, lidocaine and prilocaine, versus placebo. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Subjects were eligible if arterial puncture was indicated. The primary outcome was an experienced pain > 2 on a numerical pain rating scale. As having had a previous experience of arterial puncture was expected to be predictive of the current response, we planned 3 comparisons between use of local anesthesia and placebo: in the whole sample, among subjects with a painful previous experience, and among subjects with a painless previous experience. Multiple testing was analyzed using the Bonferroni correction for the primary outcome. The secondary outcome was the numerical pain rating scale score itself. All analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. RESULTS: A total of 136 subjects were included in this study. The primary outcome occurred in 20.9% in the active arm versus 37.7% in the placebo arm in the whole sample (relative risk 0.55; 95% CI when adjusting for multiple testing ranged was 0.28-1.09, P = .10; 95% CI without adjustment was 0.32-0.97, P = .038). No significant heterogeneity in the study treatment effect was found when considering previous painful or painless arterial puncture (P = .70). The numerical pain rating scale score was 1.55 ± 2.03 in active group versus 2.09 ± 2.15 in the placebo group (P = .13). CONCLUSIONS: We found that application of a eutectic mixture reduced the number of painful arterial punctures by 50% compared with placebo. However, this result was not statistically significant. (ClinicalTrials.gov registration NCT01964248.).

Prevalence of Pulmonary Embolism Among Patients With COPD Hospitalized With Acutely Worsening Respiratory Symptoms.

IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acutely worsening respiratory symptoms remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with COPD admitted to the hospital for acutely worsening respiratory symptoms. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up conducted in 7 French hospitals. A predefined pulmonary embolism diagnostic algorithm based on Geneva score, D-dimer levels, and spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography plus leg compression ultrasound was applied within 48 hours of admission; all patients had 3-month follow-up. Patients were recruited from January 2014 to May 2017 and the final date of follow-up was August 22, 2017. EXPOSURES: Acutely worsening respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was pulmonary embolism diagnosed within 48 hours of admission. Key secondary outcome was pulmonary embolism during a 3-month follow-up among patients deemed not to have venous thromboembolism at admission and who did not receive anticoagulant treatment. Other outcomes were venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism and/or deep vein thrombosis) at admission and during follow-up, and 3-month mortality, whether venous thromboembolism was clinically suspected or not. RESULTS: Among 740 included patients (mean age, 68.2 years [SD, 10.9 years]; 274 women [37.0%]), pulmonary embolism was confirmed within 48 hours of admission in 44 patients (5.9%; 95% CI, 4.5%-7.9%). Among the 670 patients deemed not to have venous thromboembolism at admission and who did not receive anticoagulation, pulmonary embolism occurred in 5 patients (0.7%; 95% CI, 0.3%-1.7%) during follow-up, including 3 deaths related to pulmonary embolism. The overall 3-month mortality rate was 6.8% (50 of 740; 95% CI, 5.2%-8.8%). The proportion of patients who died during follow-up was higher among those with venous thromboembolism at admission than the proportion of those without it at admission (14 [25.9%] of 54 patients vs 36 [5.2%] of 686; risk difference, 20.7%, 95% CI, 10.7%-33.8%; P < .001). The prevalence of venous thromboembolism was 11.7% (95% CI, 8.6%-15.9%) among patients in whom pulmonary embolism was suspected (n = 299) and was 4.3% (95% CI, 2.8%-6.6%) among those in whom pulmonary embolism was not suspected (n = 441). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease admitted to the hospital with an acute worsening of respiratory symptoms, pulmonary embolism was detected in 5.9% of patients using a predefined diagnostic algorithm. Further research is needed to understand the possible role of systematic screening for pulmonary embolism in this patient population.

The Impact of Pulmonary Vascular Obstruction on the Risk of Recurrence of Pulmonary Embolism: A French Prospective Cohort.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to assess whether high pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) measured at the time of pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: French prospective cohort of patients with a symptomatic episode of PE diagnosed with spiral computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scan and a follow-up of at least 6 months after anticoagulation discontinuation. PVOI was assessed based on the available diagnostic exam (V/Q lung scan or CTPA). All patients had standardized follow-up and independent clinicians adjudicated all deaths and recurrent VTE events. Main outcome was recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation. RESULTS: A total of 418 patients with PE were included. During a median follow-up period of 3.6 (1.2-6.0) years, 109 recurrences occurred. In multivariate analysis, PVOI ≥ 40% was an independent risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.20-2.62, p < 0.01), whether PE was provoked by a major transient risk factor or not. A threshold at 41% was identified as the best value associated with the risk of recurrence 6 months after stopping anticoagulation (area under curve = 0.64). CONCLUSION: PVOI ≥ 40% at PE diagnosis was an independent risk factor for recurrence VTE. Further prospective validation studies are needed.

Long-term recurrence risk after a first venous thromboembolism in men and women under 50 years old: A French prospective cohort.

BACKGROUND: Data on long-term venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence risk according to gender are conflicting. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate long-term VTE recurrence risk after a first VTE in men and women under 50 years old. METHODS: Since May 2000, 875 consecutive patients (315 men, 560 women) with a first symptomatic VTE under 50 years old were enrolled in a French prospective multicentre cohort study and were followed up as long as possible. The primary outcome was symptomatic recurrent VTE during follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, men were older and had more comorbidities than women. First VTE was mainly unprovoked in men (80.6%) and hormone-related in women (84.3%). During a median follow-up of 7.0 years (inter-quartile range, 5.0-11.0), recurrent VTE occurred in 97 men (30.8%) and in 72 women (12.9%) (annual incidence rates of recurrent VTE of 4.8% versus 1.8%-person-years, P<0.001). However, there was no difference according to gender in subgroups of patients with a first unprovoked VTE (5.8% versus 3.8%-person-years, P = 0.09). In women, duration of hormonal treatment before first VTE did not influence recurrence risk. In multivariable analysis, unprovoked VTE and family history of VTE were independently associated with recurrence (hazard ratio of 2.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 3.85) and 1.52 (1.11 to 2.09) respectively). LIMITATIONS: Number of women with unprovoked VTE was low. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a first VTE under 50 years old, a first unprovoked episode and a family history of VTE, but not gender, were associated with a high risk of long-term recurrence.

Predictors of residual pulmonary vascular obstruction after pulmonary embolism: Results from a prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to determine the prevalence of residual pulmonary vascular obstruction (RPVO) after symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) and to identify risk factors for RPVO. METHODS: On the basis of a prospective cohort of patients with a documented symptomatic venous thromboembolism, we included patients who had an acute PE and underwent a ventilation/perfusion lung scan at 3 to 24 months during the follow-up after PE. RPVO score was assessed for each patient. Initial pulmonary vascular obstruction at PE diagnosis was also assessed when available. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed with preselected data to identify predictors for persistent defect defined as RPVO ≥ 5%. RESULTS: Among the 537 included patients, 278 (51.8%) had RPVO ≥ 5%, and 191 (35.6%) had RPVO ≥ 10%. In primary multivariate analysis on overall population, age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.25, 95% CI, 1.45-3.52) and chronic respiratory failure (OR 3.19, 95% CI, 1.22-10.04) were independent predictors of RPVO ≥ 5%. In secondary multivariate analysis restricted to 256 patients with available initial pulmonary vascular obstruction score at index PE (IPVO), age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.78, 95% CI, 1.41-5.53), unprovoked PE (OR 2.11, 95% CI, 1.11-4.07) and IPVO ≥ 20% (OR 2.94, 95% CI, 1.68-5.20) were found to be independent risk factors for RVPO ≥5%. CONCLUSION: In this selected population of patients with an acute PE, age ≥ 65 years, unprovoked PE and IPVO ≥ 20% at PE diagnosis appeared to be risk factors for residual pulmonary vascular obstruction measured at three to 24 months.

Effectiveness and safety of dupilumab for the treatment of severe asthma in a real-life French multi-centre adult cohort.

BACKGROUND: Dupilumab is a monoclonal anti-IL-4Rα antibody developed for the treatment of severe asthma (SA). An early access programme for dupilumab was opened in France in SA patients experiencing unacceptable steroids side-effects and/or life-threatening exacerbations. OBJECTIVE: To assess changes in asthma control between baseline and 12 months of treatment. METHODS: Multi-centre (n = 13) retrospective real-life cohort study. This study is registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04022447). RESULTS: Overall, 64 patients with SA (median age 51, interquartile range [44-61]; 53% females) received dupilumab as add-on therapy to maximal standard of care; and 76% were on oral daily steroids at baseline. After 12 months, median asthma control test score improved from 14 [7-16] to 22 [17-24] (P < .001); median forced expiratory volume in 1 seconds increased from 58% [47-75] to 68% [58-88] (P = .001); and daily prednisone dose was reduced from 20 [10-30] to 5 [0-7] mg/d (P < .001). Annual exacerbations decreased from 4 [2-7] to 1 [0-2] (P < .001). Hypereosinophilia ≥1500/mm3 was observed at least once during follow-up in 16 patients (25%), persisting after 6 months in 8 (14%) of them. Increase in blood eosinophil count did not modify the clinical response during the study period. Injection-site reaction was the most common side effect (14%). Three deaths were observed, none related to treatment by investigators. CONCLUSION & CLINICAL RELEVANCE: In this first real-life cohort study of predominantly steroid-dependent SA, dupilumab significantly improved asthma control and lung function and reduced oral steroids use and exacerbations rate. Despite limitations due to the retrospective study, these results are consistent with controlled trials efficacy data. Further studies are required to assess the clinical significance and long-term prognosis of sustained dupilumab-induced hypereosinophilia.

Evaluation of Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence Scores in an Unprovoked Pulmonary Embolism Population: A Post-hoc Analysis of the PADIS-PE trial.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to validate the Men Continue and HERDOO2 (HERDOO2), D-dimer, age, sex, hormonal therapy (DASH), and updated Vienna recurrent venous thromboembolism prediction models in a population composed entirely of first unprovoked pulmonary embolism, and to analyze the impact of the addition of the pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) on score accuracy. METHODS: Analyses were based on the double-blind, randomized PADIS-PE trial, which included 371 unprovoked pulmonary embolism patients initially treated for 6 months, successively randomized to receive an additional 18 months of warfarin or placebo, and subsequently followed-up for 2 years. RESULTS: The HERDOO2, DASH, and updated Vienna scores displayed C-statistics of 0.61 (95% CI 0.54-0.68), 0.60 (95% CI 0.53-0.66), and 0.58 (95% CI 0.51-0.66), respectively. Only the HERDOO2 score identified low recurrence risk patients (<3%/year) after anticoagulation was stopped. When added to either of the prediction models, PVOI measured at pulmonary embolism diagnosis, after 6 months of anticoagulation, or both, improved scores' C-statistics between +0.06 and +0.11 points and consistently led to identifying at least 50% of patients who experienced recurrence but in whom the scores would have indicated against extended anticoagulation. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism, the HERDOO2 score is able to identify patients with a low recurrence risk after treatment discontinuation. Addition of PVOI improves accuracy of all scores. CLINICAL TRIALS REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: NCT00740883.

Effect of Early Initiation of Varenicline on Smoking Cessation in COPD Patients Admitted for Exacerbation: The Save Randomized Clinical Trial.

Our main objective was to demonstrate that, in smoker patients hospitalised for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation, early initiation of varenicline during 12 weeks, combined with an intensive counselling, is associated with a higher continuous abstainers rate (CAR) at one year as compared to intensive counselling alone. In this multicenter, prospective, double-blind, randomised study, 81 smoking COPD patients hospitalised for an acute exacerbation for at least 24 h were allocated to receive either varenicline (n = 42) or placebo (n = 39) for 12 weeks, in association with an intensive counselling in the 2 groups, and followed up for 40 weeks. The primary outcome was CAR at week 52. Secondary outcomes included CAR at week 12 and 26, partial abstinence rate (PAR) at week 12, 26 and 52, nicotinic substitute consumption and adverse events. At week 52, CAR was not different in placebo and varenicline groups (25.6%). At week 12, CAR was significantly higher in the varenicline group (50%) as compared to placebo group (27%) (p = 0.041). Nicotine consumption was significantly higher at week 52 in the placebo group (55.3%) as compared to the varenicline group (24.4%) (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in PAR at week 12, 26 and 52; the frequency of adverse events was similar between the two groups. Among active smoker COPD patients with exacerbation, 12-week varenicline associated with intensive counselling for smoking cessation increased the rate of continuous abstainers as compared to placebo. However, benefit was not maintained after varenicline discontinuation.Clinical Trials Registration: URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: NCT01694732.