Therapeutic anticoagulation to prevent thrombosis, coagulopathy, and mortality in severe COVID-19: The Swiss COVID-HEP randomized clinical trial.

Background: Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 suffered initially from high rates of venous thromboembolism (VTE), with possible associations between therapeutic anticoagulation and better clinical outcomes in observational studies. Objective: To test whether therapeutic anticoagulation improves clinical outcomes in severe COVID-19. Patients/Methods: In this multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial, we recruited acutely ill medical COVID-19 patients with D-dimer >1000 ng/ml or critically ill COVID-19 patients in four Swiss hospitals, from April 2020 until June 2021, with a 30-day follow-up. Participants were randomized to in-hospital therapeutic anticoagulation versus low-dose anticoagulation in acutely ill participants/intermediate-dose anticoagulation in critically ill participants, with enoxaparin or unfractionated heparins. The primary outcome was a centrally adjudicated composite of 30-day all-cause mortality, VTE, arterial thrombosis, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC), with screening for proximal deep vein thrombosis. Results: Among 159 participants, 55.3% were critically ill and 94.3% received corticosteroids. Before study inclusion, pulmonary embolism had been excluded in 71.7%. The primary outcome occurred in 4/79 participants randomized to therapeutic anticoagulation and 4/80 to low/intermediate anticoagulation (5.4% vs. 5.0%; risk difference +0.4%; adjusted hazard ratio 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.18-3.21), including three deaths in each group. All primary outcomes and major bleeding (n = 3) occurred in critically ill participants. There was no asymptomatic proximal deep vein thrombosis and no difference in major bleeding. Conclusions: Among patients with severe COVID-19 treated with corticosteroids and with exclusion of pulmonary embolism at hospital admission for most, risks of mortality, thrombotic outcomes, and DIC were low at 30 days. The lack of benefit of therapeutic anticoagulation was too imprecise for definite conclusions.

Proximal deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in COVID-19 patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: COVID-19 appears to be associated with a high risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). We aimed to systematically review and meta-analyze the risk of clinically relevant VTE in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. METHODS: This meta-analysis included original articles in English published from January 1st, 2020 to June 15th, 2020 in Pubmed/MEDLINE, Embase, Web of science, and Cochrane. Outcomes were major VTE, defined as any objectively diagnosed pulmonary embolism (PE) and/or proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Primary analysis estimated the risk of VTE, stratified by acutely and critically ill inpatients. Secondary analyses explored the separate risk of proximal DVT and of PE; the risk of major VTE stratified by screening and by type of anticoagulation. RESULTS: In 33 studies (n = 4009 inpatients) with heterogeneous thrombotic risk factors, VTE incidence was 9% (95%CI 5-13%, I2 = 92.5) overall, and 21% (95%CI 14-28%, I2 = 87.6%) for patients hospitalized in the ICU. Proximal lower limb DVT incidence was 3% (95%CI 1-5%, I2 = 87.0%) and 8% (95%CI 3-14%, I2 = 87.6%), respectively. PE incidence was 8% (95%CI 4-13%, I2 = 92.1%) and 17% (95%CI 11-25%, I2 = 89.3%), respectively. Screening and absence of anticoagulation were associated with a higher VTE incidence. When restricting to medically ill inpatients, the VTE incidence was 2% (95%CI 0-6%). CONCLUSIONS: The risk of major VTE among COVID-19 inpatients is high but varies greatly with severity of the disease. These findings reinforce the need for the use of thromboprophylaxis in all COVID-19 inpatients and for clinical trials testing different thromboprophylaxis regimens in subgroups of COVID-19 inpatients. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews ( CRD42020193369 ).

Trapped by the Entrapment.

INTRODUCTION: Popliteal entrapment syndrome results from extrinsic compression of the popliteal artery by the surrounding musculotendinous structures and is a rare cause of limb ischaemia. The purpose of this report is to highlight potential mistakes in the management of popliteal entrapment. REPORT: In 2000, a 23 year old man underwent a popliteal to popliteal artery bypass surgery for what was initially diagnosed as a traumatic popliteal artery thrombosis. After being initially lost to follow up for 13 years, this "unspecified traumatic" thrombosis led to several inappropriate endovascular and open procedures misinterpreted as being caused by late graft failure. These included thrombectomy, aneurysmorrhaphy, polytetrafluoroethylene covered stent graft, a redo femoropopliteal bypass, and bypass thrombolysis. The diagnosis was reached 19 years after the initial surgery, when the patient underwent a redo bypass using a retrogeniculate approach. An abnormal lateral insertion of the gastrocnemius muscle medial head, and its accessory slip, constricted the artery, and also involved the popliteal vein (Type V), thus explaining previous revascularisation failures. Surgery consisted of resecting the accessory slip and the aneurysmal bypass. The artery was reconstructed with the cephalic vein. The patient was discharged on clopidogrel 75 mg, with no further complication, and a patent bypass at six months. Based on post-operative imaging (duplex ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging), with forced plantarflexion and dorsiflexion, asymptomatic popliteal entrapment was also present on the contralateral side. DISCUSSION: The finding of an isolated popliteal artery lesion in a young individual should be considered to be caused by popliteal artery entrapment, unless proven otherwise. Definitive surgical release of the popliteal artery should be favoured over other strategies.

Venous thromboembolism in critically Ill patients with COVID-19: Results of a screening study for deep vein thrombosis.

BACKGROUND: The rapid spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has caused more than 3.9 million cases worldwide. Currently, there is great interest to assess venous thrombosis prevalence, diagnosis, prevention, and management in patients with COVID-19. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in critically ill patients with COVID-19, using lower limbs venous ultrasonography screening. METHODS: Beginning March 8, we enrolled 25 patients who were admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. The presence of lower extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT) was systematically assessed by ultrasonography between day 5 and 10 after admission. The data reported here are those available up to May 9, 2020. RESULTS: The mean (± standard deviation) age of the patients was 68 ± 11 years, and 64% were men. No patients had a history of VTE. During the ICU stay, 8 patients (32%) had a VTE; 6 (24%) a proximal DVT, and 5 (20%) a pulmonary embolism. The rate of symptomatic VTE was 24%, while 8% of patients had screen-detected DVT. Only those patients with a documented VTE received a therapeutic anticoagulant regimen. As of May 9, 2020, 5 patients had died (20%), 2 remained in the ICU (8%), and 18 were discharged (72%). CONCLUSIONS: In critically ill patients with SARS-CoV-2 infections, DVT screening at days 5-10 of admission yielded a 32% prevalence of VTE. Seventy-five percent of events occurred before screening. Earlier screening might be effective in optimizing care in ICU patients with COVID-19.

Multiple arteriovenous malformations caused by RASA1 gene mutation presenting during pregnancy - a case report and review of the literature.

Pregnancy can influence the development and progression of congenital arteriovenous malformations (AVM) and thus lead to life-threatening complications for the mother and fetus like high output cardiac failure and premature delivery. The simultaneous presence of a capillary malformation and AVM strongly suggests a RASA1 related disorder. Keywords: Arteriovenous malformations, capillary malformation-arteriovenous malformation, capillaries/abnormalities, port-wine stain, pregnancy, RASA1 protein.

[Arteriovenous malformations and its complex management]. / Malformations artérioveineuses : prise en charge complexe.

Congenital arteriovenous malformations (AVM) represent a rare clinical entity. They are present at birth but can remain silent for many years. Due to their potential severity and their complex and specific management, the general practitioner should know when to suspect the presence of an AVM. Anatomic and hemodynamic characteristics of these malformations are well analysed by Doppler ultrasound, which is the first-line diagnostic test. MRI is often used in conjunction with ultrasound to better define the location and extension to neighbouring tissues and organs. Embolisation should be restricted to AVM associated with major functional disability, local complications or systemic cardiac complications in case of high flow volume life-threatening lesions.

Les malformations artérioveineuses (MAV) constituent des affections rares présentes dès la naissance. Il est important que le médecin généraliste puisse évoquer ce diagnostic vu la gravité potentielle de ces lésions et leur prise en charge complexe. Les caractéristiques anatomiques et hémodynamiques des MAV sont analysables en écho-Doppler, ce qui en fait l'examen de première ligne dans cette situation. L'IRM complète souvent le bilan en précisant la localisation exacte et l'extension de la MAV aux organes ou tissus adjacents. L'embolisation de la lésion par l'artère afférente ou par ponction directe au niveau de la MAV demeure exceptionnelle et doit être réservée aux MAV associées à une gêne fonctionnelle majeure, ou des complications locales ou systémiques cardiaques avec menace vitale.

[The evolution of imaging techniques for the diagnosis of pulmonary]. / Evolution des techniques d'imagerie dans le diagnostic de l'embolie pulmonaire.

Modern diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism (PE) rely on the sequential use of clinical probability assessment, D-dimer and thoracic imaging when necessary. Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) has become the imaging modality of choice. Diagnostic strategies using CTPA are very safe for the diagnosis of PE and have been well validated in large prospective management outcome studies. With the widespread use of CTPA, concerns regarding radiation and overdiagnosis of PE have paved the way for investigating new diagnostic modalities. V/Q SPECT has arisen as a highly accurate test and a potential alternative to CTPA. However, prospective management outcome studies are still lacking and are warranted before its implementation in routine clinical practice.

Les stratégies diagnostiques modernes de l'embolie pulmonaire se basent sur l'utilisation séquentielle de la probabilité clinique, des D-dimères et si nécessaire d'une imagerie thoracique. L'angioscanner représente actuellement la modalité d'imagerie de choix. Cependant, l'utilisation à large échelle de l'angio-scanner soulève des inquiétudes concernant l'irradiation et le surdiagnostic qui ont ouvert la voie de la recherche de nouvelles modalités d'imagerie. La tomoscintigraphie par émission monophotonique (TEMP) ou single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) de ventilation/perfusion (V/P) semble être un test aussi performant que l'angio-scanner, et pourrait représenter une alternative. Des études prospectives sont néanmoins nécessaires avant d'envisager son implémentation dans la pratique quotidienne.