Recurrence after stopping anticoagulants in women with combined oral contraceptive-associated venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

The risk of recurrence after discontinuation of anticoagulation for a combined oral contraceptive (COC)-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) is unclear. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the incidence of recurrent VTE among women with COC-associated VTE, unprovoked VTE and to compare the incidence of recurrent VTE between the two groups. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Embase Classic +Embase and Medline ALL to July 2020 and citations from included studies were searched. Randomized controlled trials, prospective cohort studies and meta-analyses of these study types were selected. The analysis was conducted by random-effects model. Nineteen studies were identified including 1537 women [5828 person-years (PY)] with COC-associated VTE and 1974 women (7798 PY) with unprovoked VTE. Studies were at low risk of bias. The incidence rate of VTE recurrence was 1.22/100 PY [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.92-1.62, I2  = 6%] in women with COC-associated VTE, 3.89/100 PY (95% CI 2.93-5.17, I2  = 74%) in women with unprovoked VTE and the unadjusted incidence rate ratio was 0.34 (95% CI 0.26-0.46, I2  = 3%). The recurrence risk in women after COC-associated VTE is low and lower than after an unprovoked VTE.

New mutation found to cause hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura in a patient presenting with seizures in adulthood.

We present a case of hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (hTTP) caused by a previously undescribed mutation in a 36-year-old woman who presented with seizures in the context of a possible infection. Her hematologic manifestations were mild, despite undetectable ADAMTS13 (A Distintegrin and Metalloproteinase with Thrombospondin Motifs 13) activity. Genetic analysis showed a homozygous variant in ADAMTS13 gene which was not previously reported but predicted to be associated with disease. She responded to plasma therapy. Her diagnosis subsequently led to the diagnosis of hTTP in her younger sibling who presented with unexplained strokes a few years earlier.

Safety of idarucizumab in the reversal of dabigatran at six tertiary care Ontario hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment that reverses the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran, was approved for use in Canada in 2016. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to assess the safety of idarucizumab among patients who received the drug within the first 3 years of its use in Canada. PATIENTS/METHODS: We performed a retrospective health records review of all idarucizumab use, excluding use in those <18 years of age, between May 16, 2016, and August 1, 2019, at six Ontario tertiary care hospitals. The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcomes were in-hospital arterial thrombotic event (ATE), in-hospital venous thromboembolism (VTE), length of hospital stay, and length of critical care stay. RESULTS: A total of 85 patients received idarucizumab during the study period for the following indications: 37 (43.5%) for spontaneous bleeding, 28 (32.9%) for traumatic bleeding, 11 (12.9%) for emergency surgeries/procedures, 5 (5.9%) for elective surgeries/procedures, and 4 (4.7%) for other indications. Nineteen patients (22.4%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 14.8%-32.3%) did not survive their hospitalization. During hospitalization, two patients (2.4%; 95% CI, 0.7%-8.2%) had ATE, and three patients (3.5%; 95% CI, 1.2%-9.9%) had VTE. The median length of stay was 8 (interquartile range [IQR], 2.5-13) days in hospital and 3 (IQR, 2-5) days in critical care. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with clinical trial data, we found a numerically higher rate of mortality and similar rate of ATE and VTE among patients treated with idarucizumab in the real world.

An illustrated review of bleeding assessment tools and common coagulation tests.

Recognizing the complexity of coagulation tests and currently used anticoagulants, we developed this illustrated review on bleeding assessment tools and common coagulation screening tests. Quantitative bleeding assessment tools (BATs) are available to standardize the bleeding history and improve the pretest probability prior to coagulation testing. We describe use of BATs and the principles, indications, and limitations of the prothrombin time (PT)/International Normalized Ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and 50:50 mix. Use of these tests to identify coagulation factor deficiencies, specific and nonspecific inhibitors, coagulopathy of liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and commonly used anticoagulant medications are reviewed. Current literature suggests that unnecessary coagulation testing is rampant. The PT and APTT have astoundingly low sensitivity (1.0%-2.1%) for detection of clinically significant bleeding disorders. Thus, current guidelines recommend against the use of screening PT and APTT in preoperative patients undergoing noncardiac/vascular surgery.