Alferio Niglio

Alteration of haemostasis in non-metastatic gastric cancer

BACKGROUNDnCancer is one of the most common acquired causes of venous thromboembolism.nnnAIMnTo evaluate haemostasis disorders in patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer.nnnPATIENTS AND METHODSnWe studied 11 patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer (9 males and 2 females, median age 54 years) and 20 healthy subjects (15 males and 5 females, median age 48 years) control. We measured prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, coagulation time, clot lysis time, fibrinogen, clotting factors (II, VII, VIII, IX, X), C protein, S protein, AT III, activated protein C resistance, prothrombin 1+2 fragment, tissue plasminogen activator and D-Dimer in all subjects.nnnRESULTSnFibrinogen plasma levels were significantly higher in patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer than in control group (505+/-24 mg/dl vs 336+/-30 mg/dl, p<0.001). We also found a significant increase in prothrombin 1+2 fragment plasma concentration compared with controls (3.8+/-0.6 nM vs 0.83+/-0.09 nM, p<0.001). Plasma D-dimer levels were 20-fold higher in patients with non-metastatic gastric cancer compared with controls (9.57+/-0.4 ng/dl vs 0.4+/-0.05 ng/dl, p<0.001). Also tissue plasminogen activator was significantly higher in gastric cancer patients than in controls (20.8+/-2.32 ng/ml vs 9.1+/-1.37 ng/ml, p<0.01). Finally clot lysis time was significantly accelerated in gastric cancer patients compared with control subjects (81+/-37 min vs 233+/-74 min, p<0.01).nnnCONCLUSIONSnPatients with non-metastatic gastric cancer are at risk for thrombotic events due to the combined increase in fibrinogen plasma levels and thrombin formation.

Congenital and acquired thrombotic risk factors in lymphoma patients bearing upper extremities deep venous thrombosis: a preliminary report

BackgroundCongenital thrombotic risk factors, oncological diseases and its therapies have been related to an increased occurrence of upper extremities deep venous thrombosis (UEDVT).Patients and methodsWe studied seven patients bearing lymphoma (one Hodgkins and six non-Hodgkins) who developed UEDVT, one at diagnosis and six during chemotherapy (two of these six cases had implantation of a central venous catheter and four received Growth Colony Stimulating Factors in addition to chemotherapy). Patients were screened for: factor V G1691A (Leiden), prothrombin G20210A, methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T mutations and antithrombin III, proteins C and S plasma activity.ResultsAll patients were wild-type homozygotes for G20210A. One was heterozygote for factor V G1691A, the other 6 were wild-type homozygotes. Three of the 7 patients were homozygotes and 2 heterozygotes for the MTHFR mutation; the remaining 2 were wild-type homozygotes. Clotting inhibitor levels were normal in all patients.ConclusionsUEDVT in patients bearing haematological malignancies can occur irrespective of congenital thrombophilic alterations. However, in a subgroup of patients UEDVT could also depend on congenital thrombophilic alterations. A screening for inherited thrombophilia can identify high risk patients that could be specifically treated to prevent thrombotic complications.

Baseline Analysis on the Outcome of Patients with Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) Before the Global Impact of New Oral Anticoagulants in Italy: Data from RIETE Registry

Background: In patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), assessment of the risk of recurrent VTE and major bleeding may help to guide intensity and duration of anticoagulant therapy. Methods: We used the Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad Tromboemb?lica (RIETE) to identify predictors of poor adherence to guidelines in patients with- and without cancer, and to assess the rate and severity of VTE recurrences and major bleeding during the course of anticoagulation in Italian patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Results: A total of 3541 patients with objectively diagnosed VTE were enrolled in Italy, of whom 1832 (52%) initially presented DVT. Of these, 409 (22%) patients had already known cancer at baseline. In all, 32% of patients with cancer and 74% of those without cancer received long-term therapy with vitamin K antagonists, 55% and 19% respectively received long-term therapy with low-molecular-weight heparin, and 11% and 5.3% respectively received long-term therapy with Fondaparinux. During the 3-month study period, DVT patients with cancer experienced an increased rate of DVT recurrences (odds ratio: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.2-8.2), major bleeding episodes (odds ratio: 4.3; 95% CI: 2.2-8.4), all-cause death (odds ratio: 11; 95% CI: 6.7-19), and fatal bleeding (odds ratio: 11; 95% CI: 1.1-101), compared with those without cancer. Interestingly, the rate of major bleeding events outweighed the rate of VTE recurrences, both in patients with cancer (19 major bleeds vs. 4 PE recurrences and 8 DVT recurrences) and in those without cancer (16 major bleeds vs. 5 PE recurrences and 9 DVT recurrences). Conclusions: In real life, adherence of VTE therapy to guidelines is poor. During the course of anticoagulation, the rate of major bleeding events exceeded the rate of VTE recurrences.

Solitary plasmacytoma of the jaw occurring in an elderly woman affected by hepatitis C virus infection: a case report.

Solitary plasmacytoma accounts for a small percentage of plasma cell neoplasms. The disease often affects older people and is potentially curable. Only a few cases of solitary jaw plasmacytoma have been described in the literature. Here we report the case of a 76-year-old woman affected by chronic hepatitis C infection and isolated plasmacytoma of the left jaw. Plasmacytoma was diagnosed in January 2001, but the swelling of the mandible had been present since 1993. Two different pathologists made the diagnosis on the basis of biopsy material from the mandibular swelling.

Benign intracranial hypertension associated to blood coagulation derangements

BackgroundBenign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH) may be caused, at least in part, by intracranial sinus thrombosis. Thrombosis is normally due to derangements in blood coagulation cascade which may predispose to abnormal clotting activation or deficiency in natural inhibitors control. The aim of the study is to examine the strength of the association between risk factors for thrombosis and BIH.Patients and methodsThe incidence of prothrombotic abnormalities among a randomly investigated cohort of 17 patients with BIH, was compared with 51 healthy subjects matched for sex, age, body mass index, height and social background.ResultsThe number of subjects with protein C deficiency was significantly higher in patients than in controls (3 vs 1, p < .001; Fisher Exact Test). Moderate to high titers of anticardiolipin antibodies (β2-Glycoprotein type I) were found in 8 out of 17 patients.Increased plasma levels of prothrombin fragment 1+2, fibrinopeptide A (FPA), and PAI-1 were demonstrated in patients group (5.7 ± 1.15 nM vs 0.45 ± 0.35 nM; 8.7 ± 2.5 ng/mL vs 2.2 ± 1.25 ng/mL; 45.7 ± 12.5 ng/mL vs 8.5 ± 6.7 ng/mL, respectively; p < .001; Fisher Exact Test). Gene polymorphisms for factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin mutation 20210 A/G, MTHFR 677 C/T, PAI-1 4G/5G, ACE I/D were detected in 13 patients.DiscussionIn agreement with other authors our data suggest a state of hypercoagulability in BIH associated with gene polymorphisms. Our findings also showed that mutations in cardiovascular genes significantly discriminate subjects with a BIH history. The association between coagulation and gene derangements, usually regarded to as cryptogenic, may suggest a possible pathogenetic mechanism in BIH. So, a prothrombotic tendency may exist that would, at least in part, explain some cases of BIH.Although based on a small population, these findings raise the exciting possibility of using these haemostatic factors as markers for selecting high-risk subjects in BIH disease.

Internal jugular vein thrombosis as first sign of metastatic lung cancer

We describe a case of spontaneous internal jugular vein thrombosis occurring as the first sign of occult lung cancer. The peculiarity of the case was the unusual site of thrombosis and the lack of risk factors for DVT (only a moderated reduction of protein S without inherited thrombophilia) as well as the absence of clinical signs of cancer. This report shows once again the strong association between idiopathic venous thromboembolism and cancer. Hypercoagulation tests confirmed the association between cancer and thrombophilia. Reduction of protein S has been discovered recently in patients with lung cancer but further data are required to confirm this finding. Combined treatment (chemotherapy and radiotherapy) associated with oral anticoagulation therapy was started in our patient at the moment of diagnosis.

The role of d-dimer as first marker of thrombophilia in women affected by sterility: implications in pathophysiology and diagnosis of thrombophilia induced sterility

BackgroundD-dimer is considered a marker of hypercoagulable state and of endogenous fibrinolysis, so increased d-dimer is detectable in patients affected by thrombosis. Yet, several studies showed that also infertility, in particular secondary infertility due to recurrent fetal losses, has been often related to thrombotic events, in particular in women carrying thrombotic risk factors such as inherited thrombophilia (MTHFRC677T, PTHRA20210G, Factor V Leiden polimorphisms and/or inhAfter this screening we selected 39erited protein C, protein S, AT III deficiency) or acquired thrombophilia (primary antiphospholipid syndrome, acquired protein C, protein S, AT III deficiency, drugs induced thrombophilia). However, because its high predictive negative value in case of suspected thrombosis, increased d-dimer has been often associated to subclinical thrombophilia. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of d-dimer as first marker of thrombophilia in women affected by unexplained infertility and subsequently to search the cause of increased d-dimer, such as inherited and/or acquired thrombophilia.Patients and MethodsWe selected 79 patients with unexplained primary or secondary infertility. We excluded 40 patients affected by hydrosalpinx, uterine fibroids, uterine malformations, endocrinological and immunological diseases, luteal insufficiency, cytogenetical alterations. All remaining 39 patients were tested for d-dimer and divided in two groups: the patients of group A (25 patients) showed increased plasma d-dimer, in group B were included 14 patients with normal plasma level of d-dimer. After this step all 39 patients were screened for MTHFRC677T, PTHRA20210G, Factor V Leiden polimorphisms, protein C, protein S, AT III, anticardiolipin IgM and IgG, lupus anticoagulant. In the control group were included 15 age matched women without sterility problems referred to our outpatients section of vascular medicine for suspected deep venous thrombosis.Statistical analysis was based on χ2 test, differences were considered to be significant if p < 0.05.ResultsD-dimer was increased in 25/39 and 20/25 showed inherited/acquired thrombophilia while patients with normal d-dimer showed inherited/acquired thrombophilia in 7/14 (p: < 0.05, s).DiscussionD-dimer is a well known marker of hypercoagulable state, in particular its high predictive negative value in case of suspected thrombosis has been recognised by several reports. Yet, increased d-dimer has been identified also for subclinical thrombophilia besides for vascular thrombosis. Our data, in fact, for the first time suggest an interesting role of d-dimer to identify women affected by unexplained primary or secondary infertility and thrombophilia. So, probably there is a role for d-dimer in these subjects for its predictive positive value. Of course, further data on large based population are needed to confirm our results, because these findings may speed up a diagnostic screening in these patients also for a good cost/effectiveness of this test.

Thromboembolic events and haematological diseases: a case of stroke as clinical onset of a paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria

Some haematological diseases are associated to an increased risk of thromboembolic events. We report a case of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) in which a cerebrovascular event represented the first clinical manifestation of disease. PNH is associated to thromboembolic events, generally of venous districts often involving unusual locations such as mesenteric vessels, sagittal veins, inferior vena cava and renal veins.To our knowledge arterial thrombotic episodes are rare and the involvement of arterial cerebral vessels is exceptional. Then, our case points out the importance of investigating about haematological disorders in all patients presenting with a stroke, in which the common predisposing conditions are excluded.

Outcomes during anticoagulation in patients with symptomatic vs. incidental splanchnic vein thrombosis

INTRODUCTIONnCurrent guidelines recommend the use of anticoagulant therapy in patients with symptomatic splanchnic vein thrombosis (SVT) and suggest no routine anticoagulation in those with incidental SVT.nnnMETHODSnWe used the RIETE (Registro Informatizado Enfermedad Trombo Embólica) registry to assess the rate and severity of symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrences and major bleeding events appearing during the course of anticoagulation in patients with symptomatic or incidental SVT.nnnRESULTSnIn March 2017, 521 patients with SVT were recruited. Of them, 212 (41%) presented with symptomatic SVT and 309 had incidental SVT. Most (93%) patients received anticoagulant therapy (median, 147u202fdays). During the course of anticoagulation, 20 patients developed symptomatic VTE recurrences (none died) and 26 had major bleeding (fatal bleeding, 5). On multivariable analysis, patients with incidental SVT had a non-significantly higher risk for symptomatic VTE recurrences (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.04; 95%CI: 0.71-5.88) and a similar risk for major bleeding (HR: 1.12; 95%CI: 0.47-2.63) than those with symptomatic SVT. Active cancer was associated with at increased risk for VTE recurrences (HR: 3.06; 95%CI: 1.14-8.17) and anaemia (HR: 4.11; 95%CI: 1.45-11.6) or abnormal prothrombin time (HR: 4.10; 95%CI: 1.68-10.1) were associated with at increased risk for major bleeding.nnnCONCLUSIONSnThe rates of recurrent SVT and major bleeding were similar between patients with incidental or symptomatic SVT. Because the severity of bleeding complications during anticoagulation may outweigh the severity of VTE recurrences in both groups, further studies should identify those SVT patients who benefit from anticoagulant therapy.

Different outcome of six homozygotes for prothrombin A20210A gene variant

Prothrombin G20210A gene variant (FII G20210A) is a risk factor for venous thrombotic disease while conflicting results have been reported for the risk of arterial thrombotic events. However, vascular episodes were absent in up to 40% of the 67 homozygotes for the G20210A described so far, which indicates that the clinical expression depends on additional risk/trigger factors. We describe six homozygotes for the G20210A variant, among which the first pair of siblings (cases n. 3 and 4) reported so far that displayed a strongly heterogeneous clinical outcome. Case 1, a female of 27 years, developed a full thrombosis of common femoral, superficial and popliteal veins. She assumed oral contraceptives in the last two years. Case n. 2, 34 years old, suffered of recurrent pregnancy loss in absence of any causative alteration. Cases n. 3 and n. 5 experienced arterial thrombotic disease, i.e., juvenile myocardial infarction (40 years old) and stroke (48 years old), respectively, in absence of other risk factors. Finally, cases n. 4 and 6 identified as homozygotes for the FII G20210A variant being consanguineous of symptomatic subjects bearing the variant, did not experience any episode of venous nor arterial disease. Both of them have chronic liver disease with an impairement of the prothrombin time INR. Thus, homozygotes for the G20210A are at risk for arterial (in addition to venous) thromobotic events; chronic liver disease might modulate this risk.