Leslie Skeith

A meta-analysis of low-molecular-weight heparin to prevent pregnancy loss in women with inherited thrombophilia.

We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) vs no LMWH in women with inherited thrombophilia and prior late (≥10 weeks) or recurrent early (<10 weeks) pregnancy loss. Eight trials and 483 patients met our inclusion criteria. There was no significant difference in livebirth rates with the use of LMWH compared with no LMWH (relative risk, 0.81; 95% confidence interval, 0.55-1.19;P= .28), suggesting no benefit of LMWH in preventing recurrent pregnancy loss in women with inherited thrombophilia.

Risk of venous thromboembolism in pregnant women with essential thrombocythemia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnant women with essential thrombocythemia. Twenty-one trials and 756 pregnancies met inclusion criteria. The absolute VTE risk in the antepartum period is not above a threshold where low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis is clearly indicated or below a threshold where LMWH should be withheld (2.5%; 95% CI, 1.3-4.3). Postpartum, the absolute VTE risk is above a threshold where postpartum LMWH prophylaxis should be considered (4.4%; 95% CI, 1.2-9.5).

International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis core curriculum project: core competencies in clinical thrombosis and hemostasis: comment.

L . SKE ITH ,*† M. A. RODGER ,*†‡§ A. Y . LEE , ¶ S . R . KAHN,**†† S . M. BATES‡‡ and C . GONSALVES*† *Division of Hematology; †Department of Medicine; ‡Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Ottawa and The Ottawa Hospital; §Clinical Epidemiology Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, ON; ¶Department of Medicine, Thrombosis Program, University of British Columbia and Vancouver Coastal Health Authority, Vancouver, BC; **Department of Medicine and Center for Clinical Epidemiology, Jewish General Hospital; ††Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, QC; and ‡‡Department of Medicine, McMaster University and Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute, Hamilton, ON, Canada

A case that illustrates the challenges of managing pregnant patients with antithrombin deficiency: More questions than answers

Using an illustrative case of a patient with antithrombin (AT) deficiency who developed a recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in pregnancy despite therapeutic low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH), we highlight what is known in the literature and address areas of controversy through a series of questions around the case. The questions we address include the role of anti-Xa monitoring for patients with past VTE on antepartum LMWH, what treatment regimen is recommended for pregnant patients who develop a recurrent VTE while on therapeutic anticoagulation, the role of antepartum AT concentrate prophylaxis, and the management of labor/delivery, epidural anesthesia and postpartum anticoagulation. We also describe practical considerations for use of AT concentrate, including teaching our patient to self-infuse AT concentrate at home with support of a hemophilia treatment center (HTC), and the direct and indirect costs of AT concentrate for secondary prophylaxis.

Pulmonary Complications of Pregnancy: Venous Thromboembolism

Unique considerations are needed when diagnosing and treating venous thromboembolism (VTE) in women who are pregnant or postpartum. What are the risks to the fetus, such as drug exposure or the risk of radiation with diagnostic imaging? How does the physiology of pregnancy affect imaging techniques and anticoagulation management? How should anticoagulation be managed around labor and delivery? These questions highlight some of the important considerations needed when managing a pregnant patient with suspected or confirmed VTE. This review outlines what is known about the epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical risk factors, diagnosis, and therapeutic management of VTE in pregnancy. We also review our preferred diagnostic and treatment algorithm for a pregnant patient with suspected or confirmed VTE.

Abnormal chromatin clumping in myeloblasts.

![Figure][1] A 73-year-old man presented with fatigue and dyspnea and was found to have pancytopenia. His complete blood count showed hemoglobin of 81 g/L, mean corpuscular volume of 96 fL, platelet count of 28 × 109/L, white blood cell count of 12.4 × 109/L, with neutrophils of 1.0 × 109/

Identifying the factors influencing practice variation in thrombosis medicine: A qualitative content analysis of published practice-pattern surveys

Practice variation, the differences in clinical management between physicians, is one reason why patient outcomes may differ. Identifying factors that contribute to practice variation in areas of clinical uncertainty or equipoise may have implications for understanding and improving patient care. To discern what factors may influence practice variation, we completed a qualitative content analysis of all practice-pattern surveys in thrombosis medicine in the last 10years. Out of 2117 articles screened using a systematic search strategy, 33 practice-pattern surveys met eligibility criteria. Themes were identified using constant comparative analysis of qualitative data. Practice variation was noted in all 33 practice-pattern surveys. Contributing factors to variation included lack of available evidence, lack of clear and specific guideline recommendations, past experience, patient context, institutional culture and the perceived risk and benefit of a particular treatment. Additional themes highlight the value placed on expertise in challenging clinical scenarios, the complexity of practice variation and the value placed on minimizing practice variation.

Anticoagulants to prevent recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications: Is it time to put the needles away?

Placenta-mediated pregnancy complications, such as pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, birth of a small-for-gestational age infant and late pregnancy loss, are common and carry significant morbidity and mortality. The etiology of placenta-mediated pregnancy complications is likely multifactorial and may include abnormal coagulation activation of the maternal-fetal interface. The use of antepartum low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) prophylaxis to prevent recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications has become common practice despite limited and conflicting evidence to support its use. This paper reviews the evidence, including recently published data from an individual patient level meta-analysis, which challenges the role of LMWH in preventing recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications. Incorporating this recent evidence, we recommend against the use of LMWH to prevent recurrent placenta-mediated pregnancy complications in women with and without inherited thrombophilia.

Diagnosis and management of postpartum ovarian vein thrombosis

CASE PRESENTATION A 26-year-old woman experienced persistent fever (39.5°C), chills, and right-lower-quadrant tenderness 3 days after caesarean delivery. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast revealed enlargement of her right ovarian vein with an associated intraluminal filling defect. What is the best treatment of this patient?