Cristina Tarango

Endovascular Thrombolysis in the Management of Iliofemoral Thrombosis in Children: A Multi-Institutional Experience.

PURPOSE To evaluate technical feasibility, complications, and clinical outcomes of endovascular thrombolysis for iliofemoral thrombosis at two tertiary-care childrens hospitals. MATERIALS AND METHODS Institutional review board-approved retrospective review from March 2003 through June 2013 showed that venous thrombolysis for iliofemoral thrombosis was performed in 57 children (64 limbs) with a median age of 16.1 years (mean age, 14.5 y; range, 1.0-17.8 y). Techniques included catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT), percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy (PMT), and pharmacomechanical catheter-directed thrombolysis (PCDT) with adjunctive angioplasty and/or stent placement. Villalta and modified Villalta scales were applied retrospectively to follow-up data to assess postthrombotic syndrome (PTS). RESULTS Technical success (≥ 50% thrombolysis) rate was 93.7%: grade III (100%) in 19 limbs, grade II (50%-99%) in 41 limbs, and grade I (< 50%) in four limbs. Techniques included CDT with PCDT (32.8%) or PMT (35.9%), CDT alone (26.6%), PCDT alone (4.7%) or with adjunctive angioplasty (54.7%), and stent placement (6.3%). Mean duration of CDT was 36.5 hours (range, 2.9-89.6 h). There was one major complication (1.8%) of bleeding requiring transfusion. Minor complications (ie, bleeding) occurred in seven patients (12.2%). Median follow-up was 1.5 years (range, 30 d to 7 y). Seven patients underwent repeat thrombolysis for recurrent thrombosis. The PTS rate was 59.3% per modified Villalta scale but only 2.1% per Villalta scale. CONCLUSIONS Endovascular thrombolysis is technically feasible and safe for iliofemoral thrombosis in children. Variable results were seen with two scales to assess PTS, suggesting an acute need for standardization of outcome measurement in children.

Endovascular venous thrombolysis in children younger than 24 months.

PURPOSE To evaluate the technical feasibility and safety of percutaneous endovascular thrombolysis for extremity deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in children < 24 months old. MATERIALS AND METHODS A retrospective chart review of a clinical and imaging database was performed for pediatric patients who underwent endovascular therapy for DVT between January 2010 and July 2013. Indications, techniques, technical and clinical success, and complications were reviewed. Techniques for thrombolysis included catheter-directed therapy (CDT) using alteplase infusion via a multi-side hole catheter, mechanical thrombectomy, and angioplasty. Short-term outcomes were assessed using surgical and imaging follow-up examinations for patency of the targeted vessel. Patients included 11 children (mean age, 9 mo; range, 3 wk-23 mo) who consecutively underwent endovascular thrombolysis for upper extremity (n = 6) or lower extremity (n = 5) DVT. The most common indication was preservation of venous access for future cardiac surgery or medical therapy. RESULTS The most common risk factor was the presence of a central venous catheter (10 of 11 patients). All patients with upper extremity DVT had congenital heart disease. CDT and angioplasty were performed in all patients. Venous patency was established in all patients. A grade III (95%-100%) thrombolysis response was achieved in seven patients, and a grade II (50%-95%) thrombolysis response was achieved in four patients. A major complication of pulmonary embolism occurred in one patient with upper extremity thrombolysis and was managed by intravenous systemic alteplase and heparin. No recurrence of thrombosis was found on average follow-up of 11.8 months (range, 1-41 mo). CONCLUSIONS Percutaneous endovascular thrombolysis for extremity DVT is safe and technically feasible in children < 24 months old.

A bleeding assessment tool correlates with intraoperative blood loss in children and adolescents undergoing major spinal surgery

Screening laboratory studies for bleeding disorders are of little predictive value for operative bleeding risk in adults. Predicting perioperative bleeding in pediatric patients is particularly difficult as younger patients often have not had significant hemostatic challenges. This issue is distinctly important for high bleeding risk surgeries, such as major spinal procedures. The aim of this study was to determine if the score of a detailed bleeding questionnaire (BQ) correlated with surgical bleeding in pediatric patients undergoing major spinal surgery. A total of 220 consecutive pediatric patients (mean age 14.2years) undergoing major spinal surgery were administered the BQ preoperatively, as well as having routine screening laboratory studies (i.e., PT, aPTT, PFA) drawn. A retrospective analysis was conducted to determine if there was a correlation between either the results of the BQ and/or laboratory studies with operative outcomes. A BQ score>2 showed a strong positive correlation with intraoperative bleeding based on both univariate and multivariate analyses. In contrast, abnormalities in screening laboratory studies showed no significant correlation with operative bleeding outcomes. Relying on screening laboratory studies alone is inadequate. The BQ used here correlated with increased intraoperative hemorrhage, suggesting this tool may be useful for assessing pediatric surgical bleeding risk, and may also be useful in identifying a subset of patients with a very low bleeding risk that may not require laboratory screening.

Pediatric Thrombolysis: A Practical Approach

The incidence of pediatric venous thromboembolic disease is increasing in hospitalized children. While the mainstay of treatment of pediatric thrombosis is anticoagulation, reports on the use of systemic thrombolysis, endovascular thrombolysis, and mechanical thrombectomy have steadily been increasing in this population. Thrombolysis is indicated in the setting of life- or limb-threatening thrombosis. Thrombolysis can rapidly improve venous patency thereby quickly ameliorating acute signs and symptoms of thrombosis and may improve long-term outcomes such as postthrombotic syndrome. Systemic and endovascular thrombolysis can result in an increase in minor bleeding in pediatric patients, compared with anticoagulation alone, and major bleeding events are a continued concern. Also, endovascular treatment is invasive and requires technical expertise by interventional radiology or vascular surgery, and such expertise may be lacking at many pediatric centers. The goal of this mini-review is to summarize the current state of knowledge of thrombolysis/thrombectomy techniques, benefits, and challenges in pediatric thrombosis.

Clinical algorithm to manage anemia in epidermolysis bullosa

Epidermolysis bullosa is a group of rare genetic disorders with multiple organ system involvement. In one severe form, recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa, chronic anemia is common. This report outlines the multifactorial nature of anemia in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa and presents a practical clinical algorithm based on expert consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of anemia in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa.

Inferior vena cava atresia predisposing to acute lower extremity deep vein thrombosis in children: A descriptive dual‐center study

Thrombosis in the healthy pediatric population is a rare occurrence. Little is known about the optimal treatment or outcomes of children with unprovoked acute lower extremity (LE) deep vein thrombosis (DVT) associated with atresia of the inferior vena cava (IVC).

Duration of anticoagulant therapy in pediatric venous thromboembolism: Current approaches and updates from randomized controlled trials

ABSTRACT Introduction: Compared with the incidence of venous thromboembolism in the adult population, pediatric VTE is rare. Yet, recent data suggest that the incidence of VTE in children is increasing, and little is known about the optimal duration of anticoagulation in pediatrics. Areas covered: This review summarizes current evidence-based adult recommendations and associated clinical trials from which current guidelines on the duration of anticoagulation in children have been extrapolated. It also discusses pediatric expert consensus-based guidelines and current pediatric clinical trials on duration of therapy in pediatric VTE. Expert commentary: The vast majority of pediatric VTE are provoked, and evidence on duration of anticoagulation for pediatric VTE is highly limited, but suggests that a maximum duration of 3 months is reasonable for most patients with provoked VTE, whereas longer duration is likely appropriate for unprovoked VTE. Whether shorter duration than 3 months is optimal for pediatric provoked VTE is as yet unclear. Results from the multinational randomized controlled trial studying the duration of anticoagulant therapy for provoked VTE in patients <21 years old (Kids-DOTT) will be critical to inform the future standard of care in pediatric VTE treatment.

Thromboembolic Disorders in the PICU

The burden of thromboembolic disease in hospitalized children appears to be increasing. This is likely a reflection of increased survival of children with complex medical problems with increased utilization of invasive procedures and central venous catheters. Infants and teenagers appear to be at the highest risk for thromboembolic disease due to age-associated changes in the hemostatic system. Venous thromboembolism in the PICU usually presents as deep vein thrombosis and requires a high index of suspicion for diagnosis; pulmonary embolism may occur as a consequence. Numerous inherited and acquired risk factors are associated with venous thrombosis in children, notably the use of central venous catheters and the presence of underlying diseases such as trauma, malignancy, congenital heart disease and congenital thrombophilic disorders. Radiologic studies are needed to make the diagnosis of venous thromboembolism, and evaluation for underlying thrombophilia should be considered. Anticoagulation is the mainstay of treatment for venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in children, while systemic or site-directed thrombolysis is reserved for life or limb threatening thrombosis. Management strategies and duration of anticoagulation therapy are extrapolated from adult data. While the role of thromboprophylaxis remains unclear in critically ill children, its use in high risk patients should be considered. Long term outcomes are not known, however recurrent thromboembolism and post thrombotic syndrome are known complications of venous thrombosis in children.