Mouhib Naddour

Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors of Venous Thromboembolic Disease

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) has a wide range of clinical presentations. Deep venous thrombosis may occur in upper or lower extremities or in visceral veins. Extremity deep venous thrombosis usually manifests with unilateral painful swelling in the limb, while visceral deep venous thrombosis manifestations vary on the basis of the involved organ. Pulmonary embolism classically manifests with sudden pleuritic chest pain and unexplained dyspnea. Superficial thrombophlebitis usually presents with acute inflammation around a palpable thrombosed superficial vein. Risk factors of VTE are either inherited or acquired. The inherited causes of VTE tend to be familial and more common in younger patients. The common acquired risk factors of VTE include previous history of venous thrombosis, immobilization, recent surgery or trauma, malignancy, and pregnancy. Identifying high-risk patients for VTE based on these risk factors is the cornerstone to provide the prophylactic treatment to prevent thrombotic events.

Advanced Therapies in Venous Thromboembolism

Advanced therapies are available for both deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism when anticoagulation alone is not sufficient to improve clinical outcomes. In some cases, clinical deterioration ensues despite anticoagulation, and this requires unique techniques that can ameliorate the clinical course. Such advancements are described in this upcoming article.

Impact of Procalcitonin Guidance on the Management of Adults Hospitalized with Pneumonia

Abstract Background Community-acquired pneumonia and healthcare-associated pneumonia are often treated with prolonged antibiotic therapy. Procalcitonin (PCT) has effectively and safely reduced antibiotic use for pneumonia in controlled studies. However, limited data exist regarding PCT guidance in real-world settings for management of pneumonia. Methods A retrospective, preintervention/postintervention quality improvement study was conducted to compare management for patients admitted with pneumonia before and after implementation of PCT guidance at two teaching hospitals in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The preintervention period was March 1, 2014 through October 31, 2014, and the post-intervention period was March, 1 2015 through October 31, 2015. Results A total of 152 and 232 patients were included in the preintervention and postintervention cohorts, respectively. When compared with the preintervention group, the mean duration of therapy decreased (9.9 vs. 6.1 days; P < 0.001). More patients received an appropriate duration of 7 days or less (26.9% vs. 66.4%; P < 0.001). Additionally, mean hospital length of stay decreased in the postintervention group (4.9 vs. 3.5 days; P = 0.006). Pneumonia-related 30-day readmission rates (7.2% vs. 4.3%; P = 0.99) were unaffected. In the postintervention group, patients with PCT levels < 0.25 µg/l received shorter mean duration of therapy compared with patients with levels >0.25 µg/l (8.0 vs. 4.6 days; P < 0.001) as well as reduced hospital length of stay (3.9 vs. 3.2 days; P = 0.02). Conclusion In this real-world practice study, PCT guidance led to shorter durations of total antibiotic therapy and abridged inpatient length of stay without affecting hospital re-admissions. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Prognosis and Monitoring of VTE

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) can present in a variety of different clinical settings and in a diverse, comorbid patient population, both of which will guide the clinician toward the appropriate therapeutic response. Patients who present with pulmonary embolism are at risk for hemodynamic instability, recurrence of VTE, cardiac comorbidities, and increased risk of overall mortality. Prognostication models have been clinically validated for risk stratification and prediction of mortality. Similar to pulmonary embolism, patients with deep vein thrombosis carry a higher risk of VTE recurrence and cardiac comorbidities. Consequently, VTE can be treated by a variety of methods such as anticoagulants or inferior vena cava filters, which bear their own risks and benefits. It is imperative that clinicians monitor patients for complications from VTE and the chosen therapy.