There is a paucity of data on anticoagulation strategies and clinical outcomes after bleeding events for venous thromboembolism (VTE). In a multicenter Japanese registry enrolling 3027 patients... Show moreThere is a paucity of data on anticoagulation strategies and clinical outcomes after bleeding events for venous thromboembolism (VTE). In a multicenter Japanese registry enrolling 3027 patients with acute symptomatic VTE, after excluding 430 patients with thrombolysis and 207 patients without anticoagulation therapy, the current study population consisted of 2390 patients, who were divided into patients with major bleeding, clinically relevant non-major (CRNM) bleeding and no bleeding during anticoagulation therapy. All-cause death at 90 days after the bleeding events was evaluated as the primary outcome. There were 189 patients with major bleeding, 147 patients with CRNM bleeding, and 2054 patients without bleeding. Among 189 patients with major bleeding, 142 patients (75%) discontinued anticoagulants, of whom patients with temporary discontinuation and those with permanent discontinuation accounted for 63 patients (44%) and 79 patients (56%), and 58 patients (30.7%) died within 90 days after the bleeding events. The multivariable logistic regression model among patients with bleeding events revealed that active cancer and bleeding events within 90 days after VTE diagnosis were independently associated with 90-day mortality after the bleeding events (active cancer: OR 5.05, 95%CI 2.82-9.05; bleeding events within 90 days after VTE diagnosis: OR 2.23, 95%CI 1.25-3.96). In this practice-based large registry, anticoagulants were frequently discontinued in patients who experienced major bleeding events during anticoagulation therapy and nearly half of them restarted anticoagulants with mortality rate of approximately 30% within 90 days after the bleeding events, and active cancer was the most prevalent cause of death. Show less
Klok, F.A.; Ageno, W.; Ay, C.; Back, M.; Barco, S.; Bertoletti, L.; ... ; Pruszczyk, P. 2022
This position paper provides a comprehensive guide for optimal follow-up of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), covering multiple relevant aspects of patient counselling. It serves as a... Show moreThis position paper provides a comprehensive guide for optimal follow-up of patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), covering multiple relevant aspects of patient counselling. It serves as a practical guide to treating patients with acute PE complementary to the formal 2019 European Society of Cardiology guidelines developed with the European Respiratory Society. We propose a holistic approach considering the whole spectrum of serious adverse events that patients with acute PE may encounter on the short and long run. We underline the relevance of assessment of modifiable risk factors for bleeding, of acquired thrombophilia and limited cancer screening (unprovoked PE) as well as a dedicated surveillance for the potential development of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension as part of routine practice; routine testing for genetic thrombophilia should be avoided. We advocate the use of outcome measures for functional outcome and quality of life to quantify the impact of the PE diagnosis and identify patients with the post-PE syndrome early. Counselling patients on maintaining a healthy lifestyle mitigates the risk of the post-PE syndrome and improves cardiovascular prognosis. Therefore, we consider it important to discuss when and how to resume sporting activities soon after diagnosing PE. Additional patient-relevant topics that require Focused counselling are travel and birth control. Show less
Haemodynamic instability and right ventricular dysfunction are the key determinants of short-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Residual thrombi and persistent right... Show moreHaemodynamic instability and right ventricular dysfunction are the key determinants of short-term prognosis in patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Residual thrombi and persistent right ventricular dysfunction may contribute to post-PE functional impairment, and influence the risk of developing chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Patients with haemodynamic instability at presentation (high-risk PE) require immediate primary reperfusion to relieve the obstruction in the pulmonary circulation and increase the chances of survival. Surgical removal of the thrombi or catheter-directed reperfusion strategies is alternatives in patients with contraindications to systemic thrombolysis. For haemodynamically stable patients with signs of right ventricular overload or dysfunction (intermediate-risk PE), systemic standard-dose thrombolysis is currently not recommended, because the risk of major bleeding associated with the treatment outweighs its benefits. In such cases, thrombolysis should be considered only as a rescue intervention if haemodynamic decompensation develops. Catheter-directed pharmaco-logical and pharmaco-mechanical techniques ensure swift recovery of echocardiographic and haemodynamic parameters and may be characterized by better safety profile than systemic thrombolysis. For survivors of acute PE, little is known on the effects of reperfusion therapies on the risk of chronic functional and haemodynamic impairment. In intermediate-risk PE patients, available data suggest that systemic thrombolysis may have little impact on long-term symptoms and functional limitation, echocardiographic parameters, and occurrence of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. Ongoing and future interventional studies will clarify whether 'safer' reperfusion strategies may improve early clinical outcomes without increasing the risk of bleeding and contribute to reducing the burden of long-term complications after intermediate-risk PE. Show less
