6533b859fe1ef96bd12b7832

RESEARCH PRODUCT

Persistance of residual vein thrombosis after an episode of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limbs and the risk of new cancer and cardiovascular disease.

subject

description

8531 Background: In patients with a first episode of idiopathic or provoked Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT), the presence of Residual Vein Thrombosis (RVT), detected by UltraSonography (US) at the 3rd month from the index DVT, is an independent risk factor for developing recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (VTE) in the subsequent 2 years. Its absence can safely permit to stop Oral Anticoagulants (OA). At the present, it is unknown whether RVT may also identify patients at increased risk for developing cancer and/or cardiovascular disease (CD). In patients with previous DVT of the lower limbs, we conducted a prospective study for evaluating the correlation between RVT findings and the risk of new cancer and/or CD. Methods: Three hundred-forty-five patients, with a previous episode of idiopathic or provoked DVT, were evaluated; presence/absence of RVT was detected at the 3rd month of OA and patients managed consequently. In the present study, the incidence of VTE recurrence, cancer and new CD was evaluated in the subsequent 3 years after the index DVT. The Kaplan-Meyer curve and the Breslow test has been used for the statistical comparison among groups. Results: The results among the 3 groups are listed in the Table. Patients without RVT had a significant reduction in recurrent VTE and new cancer in comparison to patients with RVT; they also showed a not significant trend in the reduction of CD; these data are applicable in patients with idiopathic or provoked index DVT. In patients with RVT, the advantage of prolonging anticoagulation over 12 months (Group A1) is lost at the end of the treatment. Conclusions: US-detected RVT, at 3rd month from the index DVT, is an independent risk factor for recurrent VTE and cancer; this risk remains over a period of 3 years, independently whether index DVT was idiopathic or provoked. In these patients, the advantage of indefinite anticoagulation should be assessed in properly designed study. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.