Predictors of use of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with venous thromboembolism: Findings from the Registro Informatizado Enfermedad Tromboembólica registry.

Background: Current guidelines recommend the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) for patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE). However little is known about the use of DOACs in daily practice. Methods: We used the RIETE registry to identify predictors of use of DOACs for initial and/or long-term therapy of VTE based on patient-related factors, institution-related factors or over time. Results: Among 41,678 patients from March 2013 to September 2021, 12,286 (29%) used DOACs: for initial therapy 6,456; for long-term therapy 12,046. On multivariable analysis, independent predictors were: age < 65 years (odds ratio [OR]: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.23-1.38), body weight <50 kg (OR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.45-0.65) or >120 kg (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.53-0.77), initial VTE presentation as pulmonary embolism (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.13-1.25), recent bleeding (OR: 0.53; 95% CI: 0.45-0.63), renal insufficiency (OR: 0.44; 95% CI: 0.38-0.51), liver cirrhosis (OR: 0.32; 95% CI: 0.20-0.52), thrombocytopenia (OR: 0.40; 95% CI: 0.34-0.49), atrial fibrillation (OR: 1.58; 95% CI: 1.42-1.75) and prior VTE (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.06-1.22). The DOACs were more likely used in other European countries (OR: 8.97; 95% CI: 8.49-9.49), America (OR: 6.35; 95% CI: 5.67-7.11) or in other countries of the world (OR: 2.99; 95% CI: 2.70-3.31) than in Spain, and progressively increased from 2013-2015 to 2016-2018 (OR: 2.78; 95% CI: 2.62-2.95) and 2019-2021 (OR: 6.36; 95% CI: 5.95-6.80). Conclusion: In this large multinational VTE registry, variations were observed in the use of DOACs according to patient or country factors, and over time. The safety, costs, and influence of the DOACs on VTE-related outcomes in daily practice warrant further investigation.

Imaging modalities for confirming pulmonary embolism during pregnancy: results from a multicenter international study.

OBJECTIVES: We explored the variations in use of imaging modalities for confirming pulmonary embolism (PE) according to the trimester of pregnancy. METHODS: We included all pregnant patients with confirmed acute PE from RIETE, a prospective registry of patients with PE (03/2001-02/2020). Imaging modalities included computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA), ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan, or presence of signs of acute PE along with imaging-confirmed proximal deep vein thrombosis (pDVT) without pulmonary vascular imaging. We compared the imaging modalities to postpartum patients with PE, and other non-pregnant women with PE. RESULTS: There were 157 pregnant patients (age: 32.7 ± 0.5), 228 postpartum patients (age: 33.9 ± 0.5), and 23,937 non-pregnant non-postpartum women (age: 69.5 ± 0.1). CTPA was the most common modality for confirming PE, from 55.7% in first trimester to 58.3% in second trimester, and 70.0% in third trimester. From first trimester to third trimester, V/Q scanning was used in 21.3%, 16.7%, and 18.3% of cases, respectively. Confirmed pDVT along with the presence of signs/symptoms of PE was the confirmatory modality for PE in 21.3% of patients in first trimester, 19.4% in second trimester, and 6.7% in third trimester. The proportion of postpartum patients confirmed with CTPA (85.5%) was comparable to that of non-pregnant non-postpartum women (83.2%). From the first trimester of pregnancy to postpartum period, there was a linear increase in the proportion of patients with PE diagnosed with CTPA (p = 0.039). CONCLUSION: CTPA was the primary modality for confirming PE in all trimesters of pregnancy, although its proportional use was higher in later stages of pregnancy. KEY POINTS: • Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) was the primary modality of diagnosis in all trimesters of pregnancy among patients with confirmed pulmonary embolism, even in the first trimester. • From the first trimester of pregnancy to postpartum period, there was a linear increase in the proportion of patients with pulmonary embolism who were diagnosed based on CTPA. • In the postpartum period, use of CTPA as the modality to confirm pulmonary embolism was comparable to non-pregnant patients.

Association Between Preexisting Versus Newly Identified Atrial Fibrillation and Outcomes of Patients With Acute Pulmonary Embolism.

Background Atrial fibrillation (AF) may exist before or occur early in the course of pulmonary embolism (PE). We determined the PE outcomes based on the presence and timing of AF. Methods and Results Using the data from a multicenter PE registry, we identified 3 groups: (1) those with preexisting AF, (2) patients with new AF within 2 days from acute PE (incident AF), and (3) patients without AF. We assessed the 90-day and 1-year risk of mortality and stroke in patients with AF, compared with those without AF (reference group). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 792 had preexisting AF. These patients had increased odds of 90-day all-cause (odds ratio [OR], 2.81; 95% CI, 2.33-3.38) and PE-related mortality (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.37-4.14) and increased 1-year hazard for ischemic stroke (hazard ratio, 5.48; 95% CI, 3.10-9.69) compared with those without AF. After multivariable adjustment, preexisting AF was associated with significantly increased odds of all-cause mortality (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.57-2.32) but not PE-related mortality (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 0.85-2.66). Among 16 497 patients with PE, 445 developed new incident AF within 2 days of acute PE. Incident AF was associated with increased odds of 90-day all-cause (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.75-2.97) and PE-related (OR, 3.64; 95% CI, 2.01-6.59) mortality but not stroke. Findings were similar in multivariable analyses. Conclusions In patients with acute symptomatic PE, both preexisting AF and incident AF predict adverse clinical outcomes. The type of adverse outcomes may differ depending on the timing of AF onset.

Comparative clinical prognosis of massive and non-massive pulmonary embolism: A registry-based cohort study.

AIMS: Little is known about the prognosis of patients with massive pulmonary embolism (PE) and its risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) compared with non-massive PE, which may inform clinical decisions. Our aim was to compare the risk of recurrent VTE, bleeding, and mortality after massive and non-massive PE during anticoagulation and after its discontinuation. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included all participants in the RIETE registry who suffered a symptomatic, objectively confirmed segmental or more central PE. Massive PE was defined by a systolic hypotension at clinical presentation (<90 mm Hg). We compared the risks of recurrent VTE, major bleeding, and mortality using time-to-event multivariable competing risk modeling. There were 3.5% of massive PE among 38 996 patients with PE. During the anticoagulation period, massive PE was associated with a greater risk of major bleeding (subhazard ratio [sHR] 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-2.32), but not of recurrent VTE (sHR 1.15, 95% CI 0.75-1.74) than non-massive PE. An increased risk of mortality was only observed in the first month after PE. After discontinuation of anticoagulation, among 11 579 patients, massive PE and non-massive PE had similar risks of mortality, bleeding, and recurrent VTE (sHR 0.85, 95% CI 0.51-1.40), but with different case fatality of recurrent PE (11.1% versus 2.4%, P = .03) and possibly different risk of recurrent fatal PE (sHR 3.65, 95% CI 0.82-16.24). CONCLUSION: In this large prospective registry, the baseline hemodynamic status of the incident PE did not influence the risk of recurrent VTE, during and after the anticoagulation periods, but was possibly associated with recurrent PE of greater severity.

Natural history of patients with venous thromboembolism and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia. Findings from the RIETE registry.

BACKGROUND: Limited data exist about the clinical presentation, ideal therapy and outcomes of patients with hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT) who develop venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: We used the data in the RIETE Registry to assess the clinical characteristics, therapeutic approaches and clinical outcomes during the course of anticoagulant therapy in patients with HHT according to initial presentation as pulmonary embolism (PE) or deep venous thrombosis (DVT). RESULTS: Of 51,375 patients with acute VTE enrolled in RIETE from February 2009 to January 2019, 23 (0.04%) had HHT: 14 (61%) initially presented with PE and 9 (39%) with DVT alone. Almost half (47.8%) of the patients with VTE had a risk factor for VTE. Most PE and DVT patients received low-molecular-weight heparin for initial (71 and 100%, respectively) and long-term therapy (54 and 67%, respectively). During anticoagulation for VTE, the rate of bleeding events (major 2, non-major 6) far outweighed the rate of VTE recurrences (recurrent DVT 1): 50.1 bleeds per 100 patient-years (95%CI: 21.6-98.7) vs. 6.26 recurrences (95%CI: 0.31-30.9; p = 0.020). One major and three non-major bleeding were epistaxis. No patient died of bleeding. One patient died shortly after being diagnosed with acute PE. CONCLUSIONS: During anticoagulation for VTE in HHT patients, there were more bleeding events than VTE recurrences. Most bleeding episodes were non-major epistaxis.

Frequency and prognostic impact of acute kidney injury in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Data from the RIETE registry.

RATIONALE: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a poor outcome. Although pulmonary embolism (PE) may promote AKI through renal congestion and/or hemodynamic instability, its frequency and influence on outcome in patients with acute PE have been poorly studied. METHODS: The frequency of AKI (defined according to the "Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes" definition) at baseline and its influence on the 30-day mortality was evaluated in patients with acute PE from the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica) registry. We used multivariate analysis to assess whether the presence of AKI influenced the risk for 30-day death. RESULTS: The study included 21,131 patients, of whom 6222 (29.5%) had AKI at baseline: 4385 patients (21%) in stage 1, 1385 (6.5%) in stage 2 and 452 (2%) in stage 3. The proportion of patients with high-risk PE in those with no AKI, AKI stage 1, AKI stage 2 or AKI stage 3 was: 2.8%, 5.3%, 8.8% and 12%, respectively (p < 0.001). After 30 days, 1236 patients (5.9%) died. Overall mortality was 4% in patients with no AKI, 8.4% in AKI stage 1, 14% in AKI stage 2 and 17% in AKI stage 3 (all p < 0.001). AKI was independently associated with an increased risk of all-cause death at 30 days (odds ratio = 1.25; 95%CI: 1.02-1.54). CONCLUSIONS: One in every 3-4 patients with acute PE had AKI at baseline. The presence of AKI independently predicted 30-day mortality. This study suggests that AKI may deserve to be evaluated as a prognostic factor in patients with acute PE.

The association between dengue immunoglobulin G titres with previous clinical dengue infection and white cell counts in Cuban children: A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of dengue infection is increasing globally. There are few prospective population-based surveillance studies of the immunological and inflammatory consequences of exposure to dengue virus in young children. OBJECTIVE: To study the association between serologically confirmed prior medical diagnosis of dengue infection and blood measures of systemic inflammation with dengue virus immunoglobulin G levels. METHODS: A population-based study of healthy three-year old children living in Havana, Cuba. RESULTS: 865 individuals provided a blood sample. Fourteen (1.6%) had a prior medical diagnosis of dengue infection, and 851 individuals had no prior medical diagnosis. There was no difference in the serum immunoglobulin G titres between these groups (Mann-Whitney test, p = 0.49). Total white cell count, blood neutrophil and eosinophil counts were linearly associated with a dengue immunoglobulin G value above the median value. CONCLUSIONS: There was no difference between the dengue immunoglobulin G titres in young children who had previously had clinically proven dengue infection compared to those who had no diagnosis of prior infection. This may be a consequence of a relatively high prevalence of sub-clinical infection. A higher dengue immunoglobulin G level was positively associated with a range of inflammatory biomarkers, although these data cannot demonstrate a causal association.

Venous Thromboembolism in Women Undergoing Assisted Reproductive Technologies: Data from the RIETE Registry.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) during or after assisted reproductive technologies (ART) is predicted to rise due to the increased number of women undergoing this technique. We present data collected in the RIETE registry up to October 2016. Overall, 41 (0.6%) out of 6,718 women of childbearing age with VTE had an ART-related event. Most of them underwent autologous ART cycles; 23 had isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (56.1%), 12 isolated pulmonary embolism (PE) (29.3%) and 6 simultaneous occurrence of both the events (14.6%). VTE occurred in 20 successful and 21 unsuccessful (i.e. not resulting in a clinical pregnancy) ART cycles. No recurrence was observed at 90 days. Logistic regression showed that isolated PE was significantly more frequent than DVT alone or combined with PE in unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) (odds ratio [OR]: 4.13, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4-12.4), as well as in contraceptive users (OR: 2.96, 95% CI: 1.95-4.5) and in puerperium (OR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.16-3.3). After grouping isolated PE and DVT + PE, we found that PE was significantly more frequent in women with unsuccessful IVF and higher body mass index (OR: 5.0, 95% CI: 1.2-20.7 and OR: 1.0, 95%CI: 1.0-1.1, respectively). These data document a higher risk of PE in unsuccessful cycles than in successful ones. The risk is higher than that observed during pregnancy, puerperium and contraception.

Epidemiology, patterns of care and mortality for patients with hemodynamically unstable acute symptomatic pulmonary embolism.

BACKGROUND: Limited information exists about the epidemiology, management and outcomes of hemodynamically unstable patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). We aimed to evaluate the prevalence and outcomes of unstable PE, and to assess the acute management in routine clinical practice. METHODS: This study included 34,380 patients from the RIETE registry with PE between 2001 and 2016. Primary outcomes included all-cause and PE-specific 30-day mortality. We used multivariable adjustments to calculate hazard ratios among unstable patients who did and did not receive reperfusion. RESULTS: Overall, 1207 patients (3.5%) presented with hemodynamic instability. All-cause 30-day mortality was 14% and 5.4% in those with versus those without hemodynamic instability (P < 0.001). Two hundred and thirty eight (20%) unstable patients received reperfusion therapy. After multivariable adjustment, reperfusion therapy was associated with non-significantly reduced 30-day all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 0.71; 95% CI, 0.45 to 1.10; P = 0.12), and significantly reduced 30-day PE-related mortality (HR 0.56; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.99; P = 0.04). When limiting the adjusted analyses to unstable patients with right ventricular dysfunction, the difference was significant for both all-cause (HR 0.65; 95% CI, 0.42 to 1.00; P = 0.05) and PE-related mortality (HR 0.52; 95% CI, 0.30 to 0.92; P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: In a multinational registry of patients with PE, prevalence of hemodynamic instability was 3.5%, with high associated 30-day mortality rates. Although use of reperfusion was associated with lower mortality rates, particularly in patients with right ventricular dysfunction, it was used in only a fifth of patients.

Predictors of active cancer thromboembolic outcomes. RIETE experience of the Khorana score in cancer-associated thrombosis.

Even though the Khorana risk score (KRS) has been validated to predict against the development of VTE among patients with cancer, it has a low positive predictive value. It is also unknown whether the score predicts outcomes in patients with cancer with established VTE. We selected a cohort of patients with active cancer from the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad TromboEmbolica) registry to assess the prognostic value of the KRS at inception in predicting the likelihood of VTE recurrences, major bleeding and mortality during the course of anticoagulant therapy. We analysed 7948 consecutive patients with cancer-associated VTE. Of these, 2253 (28 %) scored 0 points, 4550 (57 %) 1-2 points and 1145 (14 %) scored ≥3 points. During the course of anticoagulation, amongst patient with low, moderate and high risk KRS, the rate of VTE recurrences was of 6.21 (95 %CI: 4.99-7.63), 11.2 (95 %CI: 9.91-12.7) and 19.4 (95 %CI: 15.4-24.1) events per 100 patient-years; the rate of major bleeding of 5.24 (95 %CI: 4.13-6.56), 10.3 (95 %CI: 9.02-11.7) and 19.4 (95 %CI: 15.4-24.1) bleeds per 100 patient-years and the mortality rate of 25.3 (95 %CI: 22.8-28.0), 58.5 (95 %CI: 55.5-61.7) and 120 (95 %CI: 110-131) deaths per 100 patient-years, respectively. The C-statistic was 0.53 (0.50-0.56) for recurrent VTE, 0.56 (95 %CI: 0.54-0.59) for major bleeding and 0.54 (95 %CI: 0.52-0.56) for death. In conclusion, most VTEs occur in patients with low or moderate risk scores. The KRS did not accurately predict VTE recurrence, major bleeding, or mortality among patients with cancer-associated thrombosis.

Gender differences in patients with venous thromboembolism and five common sites of cancer.

BACKGROUND: The outcome of cancer patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) may differ according to gender. METHODS: We used the RIETE database to compare the rate of VTE recurrences, major bleeding and mortality in patients with lung, colorectal, pancreatic, hematologic or gastric cancer during the course of anticoagulation, according to gender. RESULTS: As of January 2016, 11,055 patients with active cancer were enrolled: 1,727 had lung cancer, 1,592 colorectal, 840 hematologic, 517 pancreatic and 459 had gastric cancer. Compared with men (N = 3,130), women (N = 2,005) were more likely to have colorectal, pancreatic or hematologic cancer, and less likely to have lung cancer. Most patients (91%) were initially treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), but women received higher daily doses per body weight. Then, 66% kept receiving LMWH for long-term therapy. During the course of anticoagulation, 302 patients developed recurrent VTE, 220 bled and 1,749 died. Compared with men, women had a similar rate of VTE recurrences or major bleeding, and a lower mortality (risk ratio [RR]: 0.90; 95% CI: 0.82-0.99). When separately comparing outcomes according to cancer site, women with lung cancer had a lower mortality (RR: 0.79; 95% CI: 0.70-0.92), those with colorectal cancer had a higher mortality (RR: 1.25; 95% CI: 1.02-1.54) and those with gastric cancer had a higher rate of VTE recurrences than men (RR: 2.47; 95% CI: 1.04-5.89). CONCLUSIONS: VTE women with lung, colorectal, pancreatic, haematological or gastric cancer experienced a similar outcome during the course of anticoagulant therapy than men with similar cancers.

Right heart thrombi in pulmonary embolism.

There is a lack of comprehensive data on the prevalence, predictors and prognostic significance of right heart thrombi (RHT) in pulmonary embolism.In this study of patients with pulmonary embolism from the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) registry, we assessed the prevalence and predictors of RHT, and the association between the presence of RHT and the outcomes of all-cause mortality, pulmonary embolism-related mortality, recurrences, and major bleeding through 30 days after initiation of pulmonary embolism treatment.Of 12 441 patients with pulmonary embolism and baseline echocardiographic data, 2.6% had RHT. The following increased the risk of RHT: younger age, previous bleeding, congestive heart failure, cancer, syncope, systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg, and arterial oxyhaemoglobin saturation <90%. Patients with RHT were significantly more likely to die from any cause (adjusted OR 2.50 (95% CI 1.62-3.84); p<0.001) and from pulmonary embolism (adjusted OR 4.29 (95% CI 2.45-7.48); p<0.001) during follow-up. RHT was associated with an increased risk of recurrence during follow-up (1.8% versus 0.7%; p=0.04). Major bleeding was similar in patients with and without RHT.In patients presenting with pulmonary embolism, RHT is relatively infrequent. Patients with RHT had a worse outcome when compared with those without RHT.

A prognostic score to identify low-risk outpatients with acute deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs.

BACKGROUND: No prior studies have identified which patients with deep vein thrombosis in the lower limbs are at a low risk for adverse events within the first week of therapy. METHODS: We used data from the Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) to identify patients at low risk for the composite outcome of pulmonary embolism, major bleeding, or death within the first week. We built a prognostic score and compared it with the decision to treat patients at home. RESULTS: As of December 2013, 15,280 outpatients with deep vein thrombosis had been enrolled. Overall, 5164 patients (34%) were treated at home. Of these, 12 (0.23%) had pulmonary embolism, 8 (0.15%) bled, and 4 (0.08%) died. On multivariable analysis, chronic heart failure, recent immobility, recent bleeding, cancer, renal insufficiency, and abnormal platelet count independently predicted the risk for the composite outcome. Among 11,430 patients (75%) considered to be at low risk, 15 (0.13%) suffered pulmonary embolism, 22 (0.19%) bled, and 8 (0.07%) died. The C-statistic was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.57-0.65) for the decision to treat patients at home and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.72-0.79) for the score (P = .003). Net reclassification improvement was 41% (P < .001). Integrated discrimination improvement was 0.034 for the score and 0.015 for the clinical decision (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Using 6 easily available variables, we identified outpatients with deep vein thrombosis at low risk for adverse events within the first week. These data may help to safely treat more patients at home. This score, however, should be validated.

Subsequent arterial ischemic events in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy for venous thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at increased risk for the development of subsequent arterial ischemic events unrelated to the diagnosis of VTE. Accurate identification of VTE patients at increased risk for ischemic events during the course of anticoagulation may help to select those who would potentially benefit from concomitant therapy with anticoagulants and antiplatelets. METHODS: We used the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica (RIETE) Registry to assess the rate and severity of subsequent ischemic events (ie, stroke, myocardial infarction, lower limb amputation, or mesenteric ischemia) appearing during the course of anticoagulant therapy and tried to identify risk factors for these events. RESULTS: From February 2009 to March 2014, 23,370 patients were recruited: 12,397 initially presenting with pulmonary embolism (PE) and 10,973 with deep venous thrombosis. During the course of anticoagulation (mean, 9.2 months), 597 patients developed recurrent VTE, 652 bled, 162 had ischemic events (stroke, 86; myocardial infarction, 53; limb amputation, 13; mesenteric ischemia, 11), and 2063 died. Of these, 29 patients died of recurrent PE, 83 of bleeding, and 53 of the ischemic events. On multivariable analysis, cancer (hazard ratio [HR], 1.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21-2.61), chronic lung disease (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.05-2.26), renal insufficiency (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.25-2.36), anemia (HR, 1.54; 95% CI, 1.11-2.14), prior artery disease (HR, 1.84; 95% CI, 1.29-2.64), and diabetes (HR, 1.58; 95% CI, 1.10-2.27) independently predicted the risk for ischemic events. Most of these variables also predicted major bleeding (cancer, chronic lung disease, renal insufficiency, anemia, and prior artery disease) or recurrent PE (cancer, chronic lung disease, anemia, and prior artery disease). CONCLUSIONS: In patients receiving anticoagulation for VTE, the mortality due to PE recurrences was lower than the mortality due to ischemic events. Most independent predictors for ischemic events were also predictors for major bleeding and for recurrent PE.

Effect of the time of diagnosis on outcome in patients with acute venous thromboembolism. Findings from the RIETE Registry.

The influence of the day of diagnosis (weekends vs. weekdays) on outcome in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been thoroughly studied. We used the RIETE database to compare the clinical characteristics, treatment details, and mortality rate at 7 and 30 days, of all patients diagnosed with acute VTE on weekends versus those diagnosed on weekdays. Up to January 2010, 30,394 patients were included in RIETE, of whom 5,479 (18%) were diagnosed on weekends. Most clinical characteristics were similar in both groups, but patients diagnosed on weekends had less often cancer (20% vs. 22%; p=0.004), and presented more likely with pulmonary embolism (PE) than those diagnosed on weekdays (52% vs. 47%; p <0.001). Most patients in both groups received initial therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin (90% and 91%, respectively; p=0.01), then switched to vitamin K antagonists (72% and 71%, respectively; p=0.007). The 7-day mortality rate in patients presenting with PE was 2.75% in those diagnosed on weekends versus 3.00% in those diagnosed on weekdays (p=0.49). At 30 days, the mortality rate was 6.51% versus 6.06%, respectively (p=0.38). In patients presenting with deep vein thrombosis alone, the 7-day mortality rate in those diagnosed on weekends was 1.04% versuss 0.66% in those diagnosed on weekdays (p=0.053). The mortality rate at 30 days was of 3.41% versus 2.88% (p=0.14), respectively. In RIETE, the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and 7- and 30-day mortality rates of patients diagnosed on weekends were similar to those in patients diagnosed on weekdays.

Bed rest or ambulation in the initial treatment of patients with acute deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism: findings from the RIETE registry.

BACKGROUND: Traditionally, many patients with acute deep vein thrombosis (DVT) are treated not only by anticoagulation therapy but additionally by strict bed rest, which is aimed at reducing the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE) events. However, this risk has not been subjected to empirical verification. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The Registro Informatizado de la Enfermedad TromboEmbólica is a Spanish registry of consecutively enrolled patients with objectively confirmed, symptomatic acute DVT or PE. In this analysis, the clinical characteristics, details of anticoagulant therapy, and clinical outcomes of enrolled patients with and without strict bed rest prescribed during the first 15 days were compared. Patients in whom ambulation was not possible were not included in this analysis. RESULTS: A total of 2,650 patients entered the study (DVT, 2,038 patients; PE, 612 patients). Of these patients, 1,050 DVT patients (52%) and 385 PE patients (63%) were prescribed strict bed rest. New events of symptomatic, objectively confirmed PE developed during the 15-day study period in 11 patients with DVT (0.5%) and 4 patients with PE (0.7%). Five of these 15 patients (33%) died as a result of their PE. Age < 65 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 11) and cancer (OR, 3.0; 95% CI, 0.98 to 9.1) were associated with an increased rate of new PEs. There were not significant differences between bedridden and ambulant patients in terms of new PE events, fatal PE, or bleeding complications. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm those from previous reports suggesting that bed rest has no influence on the risk of developing PE among patients with acute DVT of the lower limbs. In addition, our findings show for the first time the lack of influence of bed rest even in patients presenting with acute submassive PE.

Costos por medicamentos en la Hidratación del paciente con diarreas, 1975 y 1989 / Costs by drugs in the hydratation of the patient with diarrhea

Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo y comparativo de los costos por medicamentos utilizados para la hidratación de pacientes deshidratados por enfermedad diarreica aguda. El estudio incluye el análisis de 400 historias clínicas de pacientes egresados del Servicio de Enfermedades del Hospital Pediátrico de Centro Habana en 1975 y en 1989. La muestra se tomó de forma aleatoria tomando en cuenta el total de egresados en cada año. Las historias clínicas se estudiaron en 2 grupos de 200 pacientes menores de 3 años. Los datos se recogieron en un módulo de encuesta y se validaron utilizando el Programa EPI-5. Se hicieron tablas de congruencia a los que se les calculó chi cuadrado (X2) con sus correspondientes grados de libertad y nivel de significación estadístico (p). Los resultados encontrados se expresan en las tablas y figuras. Lo más relevante de esta investigación es haber obtenido una reducción del 71,8 por ciento en los costos por concepto de medicamentos usados para la hidratación, que si se aplica a todo el país nos muestra una disminución de miles de pesos sólo con la aplicación de esta nueva tecnología(AU)

Costos por medicamentos en la Hidratacion del paciente con diarreas, 1975 y 1989 / Costs by drugs in the hydratation of the patient with diarrhea

Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo y comparativo de los costos por medicamentos utilizados para la hidratacion de pacientes deshidratados por enfermedad diarreica aguda. El estudio incluye el analisis de 400 historias clinicas de pacientes egresados del Servicio de Enfermedades del Hospital Pediatrico de Centro Habana en 1975 y en 1989. La muestra se tomo de forma aleatoria tomando en cuenta el total de egresados en cada ano. Las historias clinicas se estudiaron en 2 grupos de 200 pacientes menores de 3 anos. Los datos se recogieron en un modulo de encuesta y se validaron utilizando el Programa EPI-5. Se hicieron tablas de congruencia a los que se les calculo chi cuadrado (X2) con sus correspondientes grados de libertad y nivel de significacion estadistico (p). Los resultados encontrados se expresan en las tablas y figuras. Lo mas relevante de esta investigacion es haber obtenido una reduccion del 71,8 por ciento en los costos por concepto de medicamentos usados para la hidratacion, que si se aplica a todo el pais nos muestra una disminucion de miles de pesos solo con la aplicacion de esta nueva tecnologia