多发性骨髓瘤静脉血栓形成机制

多发性骨髓瘤(MM)是一种骨髓内浆细胞异常增生的恶性肿瘤,其并发血栓事件的风险很高,尤其是MM患者静脉血栓(VTE)的发生率明显高于一般人群。另外,近年来国内外研究证明新型的免疫调节药物(IMi Ds)在MM患者中的应用,如沙利度胺及其类似物来那度胺也可导致与治疗相关的静脉血栓发生的增加,特别是与大剂量的地塞米松和(或)蒽环类抗生素为基础的化疗药联合使用时,可进一步加剧静脉血栓的发生。目前,MM患者VTE的发生机制仍不太清楚,可能涉及凝血系统的激活,纤维蛋白溶解功能的异常,血流及血液瘀滞度的改变及与肿瘤细胞相关的炎症因子产生的增多,组织因子(TF)表达增加,内皮细胞损伤等。因此,仍需对在MM患者中VTE的发生机制做更进一步的研究。而本文将主要从多发性骨髓瘤本身及免疫调节药物的应用所引起的凝血功能异常而致静脉血栓形成这一机制做一综述。     

CD56、CD117表达水平与来那度胺治疗多发性骨髓瘤疗效的相关性分析

目的:探讨CD56、CD117的表达水平与来那度胺治疗多发性骨髓瘤疗效的相关性,为预测来那度胺治疗多发性骨髓瘤的疗效提供参考依据。方法:将我院2016年12月至2019年3月收治的多发性骨髓瘤患者64例,均给予来那度胺联合小剂量地塞米松治疗,所有患者根据疗效分为完全缓解(CR)、非常好的部分缓解(VGPR)、部分缓解(PR)、疾病稳定(SD)、疾病进展(PD),并且采用门诊、电话、住院等随访方式定期随访。采用流式细胞仪测定所有患者入院治疗前一天的CD56、CD117的表达水平,分析CD56、CD117表达与患者病理特征以及来那度胺疗效的相关性。结果:CD56、CD117的表达水平与多发性骨髓瘤患者的轻链分型、M蛋白分型、临床分型显著相关,与性别无关。来那度胺治疗多发性骨髓瘤的64例患者中,有效例数53例,总有效率为83%;其有效组患者中,CD56、CD117的阳性率分别为56.6%、35.8%,显著高于无效组患者(18.2%、9.1%)(P<0.05)。结论:多发性骨髓瘤患者CD56、CD117均呈现高表达的状态,其表达与患者的临床分期、M蛋白类型、轻链重链类型及来那度胺治疗的疗效有显著相关性。     

艾迪注射液与沙利度胺对老年多发性骨髓瘤患者血清APRIL、beta2-m 和TPO水平的影响

目的：探讨艾迪注射液联合沙利度胺对老年多发性骨髓瘤患者血清中APRIL、beta2-m 和TPO水平变化的影响及其临床意义。 方法：选取我院收治的老年多发性骨髓瘤患者80 例,根据治疗方案不同分为常规组及试验组。常规组患者采用长春新碱静、盐酸 肾上腺素及醋酸地塞米松治疗,试验组患者采用艾迪注射液联合沙利度胺治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后骨髓浆细胞数、M 蛋白、血红蛋白、免疫功能、肾功能及血清APRIL、beta2-m 和TPO 水平的变化情况。结果：与常规组比较,试验组采用患者的免疫功 能及肾功能获得明显改善,肿瘤细胞活性得到显著抑制,差异具有统计学意义（P<0.05）。与常规组比较,试验组患者骨髓浆细胞 数、M蛋白、血肌酐、尿素氮水平降低,血红蛋白及CD4+/CD8+ 比值升高,血清APRIL、beta2-m 和TPO 水平降低,差异具有统计学 意义（P<0.05）。结论：艾迪注射液联合沙利度胺可降低多发性骨髓瘤患者的肿瘤细胞活性,增强患者免疫力,且副作用小,值得临 床推广应用。     

艾迪注射液与沙利度胺对老年多发性骨髓瘤患者血清APRIL、β2-m和TPO水平的影响

目的:探讨艾迪注射液联合沙利度胺对老年多发性骨髓瘤患者血清中APRIL、β2-m和TPO水平变化的影响及其临床意义。方法:选取我院收治的老年多发性骨髓瘤患者80例,根据治疗方案不同分为常规组及试验组。常规组患者采用长春新碱静、盐酸肾上腺素及醋酸地塞米松治疗,试验组患者采用艾迪注射液联合沙利度胺治疗。观察并比较两组患者治疗前后骨髓浆细胞数、M蛋白、血红蛋白、免疫功能、肾功能及血清APRIL、β2-m和TPO水平的变化情况。结果:与常规组比较,试验组采用患者的免疫功能及肾功能获得明显改善,肿瘤细胞活性得到显著抑制,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。与常规组比较,试验组患者骨髓浆细胞数、M蛋白、血肌酐、尿素氮水平降低,血红蛋白及CD4+/CD8+比值升高,血清APRIL、β2-m和TPO水平降低,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:艾迪注射液联合沙利度胺可降低多发性骨髓瘤患者的肿瘤细胞活性,增强患者免疫力,且副作用小,值得临床推广应用。     

多发性骨髓瘤患者硼替佐米治疗相关带状疱疹发病机理及预防策略研究进展

含硼替佐米的化疗方案目前是多发性骨髓瘤的一线治疗方案,研究表明,该方案同时会使患者带状疱疹的发生率增加。硼替佐米治疗致带状疱疹激活的机理以及如何进行合理的预防是临床医师需要解决的问题。阿昔洛韦是第一代无环鸟苷类药物,伐昔洛韦是阿昔洛韦的前体药物,目前阿昔洛韦和伐昔洛韦可用于接受含硼替佐米化疗方案的MM患者带状疱疹的预防。本文对近年来多发性骨髓瘤患者应用硼替佐米后带状疱疹发生的相关机理及预防策略作一综述。     

用于多发性骨髓瘤的首个口服蛋白酶体抑制剂 Ixazomib

自武田（Takeda）公司产品硼替佐米（bortezomib,Velcade）于 2003 年获准上市以来,蛋白酶体抑制剂已成为多发性骨髓瘤 治疗的主要用药。武田公司日前又在美国和欧洲递交了同类新药 ixazomib 的上市申请,使其上市进程更近一步,而该药物可能成为此类药 物中的首个口服治疗药物。虽然武田公司非常希望能在 2017 年 5 月 Velcade 专利到期前大力推动 ixazomib 替代 Velcade 的进程,以维 护其在多发性骨髓瘤治疗市场的地位,但要让医生接受这一新型口服药物,还需要更多临床数据,尤其是一线治疗数据的支持。主要介绍 ixazomib 用于治疗复发性多发性骨髓瘤以及作为多发性骨髓瘤一线治疗药物的若干临床研究,解析并展望多发性骨髓瘤治疗市场。     

祛瘀散结汤联合BRD治疗多发性骨髓瘤患者的疗效及机制探究

目的:探究祛瘀散结汤联合硼替佐米-来那度胺-地塞米松(BRD)治疗多发性骨髓瘤(multiple myeloma,MM)患者的疗效及对患者血清M蛋白(monoclonal protein),N末端B型利钠肽原(N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide,NT-proBNP)、肌钙蛋白Ⅰ(cardiac troponinⅠ,cTnI)水平的影响。方法:选择我院2017年1月~2020年1月收治的90例多发性骨髓瘤患者,根据其治疗方法分为研究组与对照组,每组各45例。对照组患者给予BRD化疗方案进行治疗,研究组在对照组基础上给予祛瘀散结汤,对比两组治疗后疗效,治疗前后骨痛症状、M蛋白、NT-proBNP、cTnI水平的变化及不良反应的发生情况。结果:治疗后,研究组的治疗有效率为91.11%,显著高于对照组(68.89%,P<0.05);两组的血清M蛋白和NT-proBNP水平较治疗前显著降低,且研究显著低于对照组(P<0.05),血清cTnI水平较治疗前显著升高,且研究组显著高于对照组(P<0.05);观察组治疗后骨痛评分显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。研究组治疗期间不良反应发生率11.11%,显著低于对照组发生率(28.89%,P<0.05)。结论:祛瘀散结汤联合BRD治疗MM患者可以显著提高患者的治疗效果,改善骨痛症状,安全性较高,可能与其降低M蛋白和NT-proBNP水平及升高cTnI水平有关。     

多发性骨髓瘤中NF-κB作用机制研究

多发性骨髓瘤(multiple myeloma,MM)是浆细胞异常增生的恶性肿瘤,其发病机制比较复杂。研究表明,活化NF-κB具有多种生物学功能,它既能调节细胞因子;影响细胞周期,又与血管发生有关,并且与多发性骨髓瘤治疗密切相关。该文就NF-κB在多发性骨髓瘤中的作用机制做一综述。     

脊柱骨髓瘤的诊断及误诊原因分析

目的探讨视觉模拟疼痛评分(VAS)和止痛剂对于诊断脊柱骨髓瘤的意义。分析脊柱骨髓瘤延误诊断的原因。方法将28例多发性骨髓瘤(MM)病例,按照一定标准选择配对患者组和对照组。统计评分止痛药物的使用情况。结果两组的VAS评分和止痛药物使用情况都有统计学差异。28例患者中,尿本周氏蛋白的假阴性率是46.4%,血清蛋白电泳的假阴性率是21.4%,血沉的假阴性率是3.6%。重视不足是延误诊断的主要原因。结论 VAS评分和止痛药物使用情况在一定意义上可以提示脊柱多发性骨髓瘤。     

血清WT1 和MDR1 基因表达与多发性骨髓瘤疾病程度相关性研究

目的:研究血清Wilms瘤基因(WT1)和多药耐药基因1(MDR1)的表达与多发性骨髓瘤疾病程度的相关性。方法:采用实时荧光PCR技术对30例不同期多发性骨髓瘤患者及30例健康者静脉血清进行WT1与MDR1基因表达水平检测,并分析其表达量与多发性骨髓瘤疾病程度的影响。结果:多发性骨髓瘤患者的血清WT1与MDR1基因表达水平均明显高于普通健康者,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);多发性骨髓瘤分期越高,患者血清WT1与MDR1基因的表达水平则越高,Ⅰ期、Ⅱ期与Ⅲ期患者的血清WT1与MDR1基因的表达水平两两组间比较差异均具有统计学意义(P0.05);WT1与MDR1基因表达水平与骨髓瘤分期呈明显的正相关性(r=0.406,r=0.451,P0.05)。结论:血清WT1与MDR1基因表达水平与多发性骨髓瘤疾病程度具有明显的正相关性,可能作为多发性骨髓瘤的临床评估预测指标。     

Epidemiology of venous thromboembolism (VTE) associated with pregnancy

This review is focused on the epidemiology of venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE), associated with pregnancy. Superficial vein thrombosis, a less hazardous and less studied type of thrombosis in pregnant women, is beyond the scope of this review. This study discusses the VTE incidence rate in women from developed countries for both antepartum and postpartum periods and for subpopulations of women affected by additional risk factors, such as thrombophilias, circulatory diseases, preeclampsia of varying degrees of severity, and Caesarean section. To minimize bias due to historical changes in medical and obstetric practices, lifestyle, diet, etc., this review is generally limited to relatively recent studies, i.e., those that cover the last 35 years. The absolute risk or incidence rate was used to ascertain risk of VTE associated with pregnancy. For the studies where the direct incidence rates of VTE were not reported, we calculated an estimate of the observed but not reported absolute incidence rates using the data presented in respective articles. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 105:167–184, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Prolactin receptor signaling during platelet activation.

Prolactin is a newly recognized platelet coactivator that functions through potentiation of ADP-induced platelet activation. However, the possible association between hyperprolactinemia and venous thromboembolism (VTE) has not been systematically investigated up to now; prolactin signaling mechanisms in platelets still need to be elucidated. In this study, plasma prolactin levels in healthy subjects and patients with VTE were determined, demonstrating that patients with VTE and no other congenital risk factors had significantly increased plasma prolactin levels. Moreover, prolactinoma patients demonstrated a higher incidence of VTE than the general population. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms for the development of venous thrombosis, prolactin receptor signaling during platelet activation was investigated with a focus on ADP-stimulated G-protein-regulated signaling pathways. The short isoform of prolactin receptors was detected on platelets. Signaling through this receptor, although not directly linked to Gq-proteins, substitutes for Gq-protein regulated signaling pathways involved in platelet activation. We identified protein kinase C, a well-established signaling molecule in platelet activation, as a target molecule for prolactin signaling pathways in human platelets. Our findings indicate that hyperprolactinemia may be an important novel risk factor for VTE, suggesting that its thrombogenic effect may be mediated through enhanced platelet reactivity. Revealing the molecular mechanisms of prolactin signaling will allow the design of new antithrombotic therapies.     

Thoughts about thromboembolic events prophylaxis in cancer patients

The risk of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) in cancer patients is higher than in the general population. Treatment may also increase this risk in these patients. Based on the appropriate criteria (of which the most important are the current ministerial guidelines) thrombosis prophylaxis should be started (given that there is no contraindication) on these patients and be continued while they are at risk. In the event of permanent risk thrombosis prophylaxis should be given lifelong. The drug of choice is low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) which is safer and more effective than the oral vitamin K antagonists. Platelet aggregation inhibitors have proved unsuccessful in this patient group. The evidence so far suggests that LMWH (during VTE prophylaxis) can have a positive impact on the course of cancer and perhaps it will be registered under the indication section for cancer patients in the future.     

Venous thromboembolism risk and management in women with cancer and thrombophilia

Background:Venous thromboembolism (VTE) and its complications result in a high rate of morbidity and mortality.Objective:The aim of this study was to review the risk of VTE in women with cancer and other predisposing risk factors, as well as the management of these patients.Methods:Data for this review were identified by searches of MEDLINE, Current Contents, and references from relevant articles using the search terms venous thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, pulmonary embolism, anticoagulation, risk factors, cancer, thrombophilia, heparin, and warfarin. Abstracts and reports from meetings were included only when they directly related to previously published work. Only papers published in English between 1960 and 2005 were included.Results:VTE risk is increased in patients with cancer, with 15% of these patients developing VTE or disseminated intravascular coagulation. Understanding a patient's thromboembolic risk is essential because it affects the type and duration of antithrombotic therapy. The incidence of VTE is dependent on a number of factors, including tumor type, mode of treatment, surgical procedures, patient immobility, and thrombophilia. Progression and recurrence of VTE can be prevented by therapy with unfractionated or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH_ followed by warfarin for at least three months. In selected women with advanced cancer disease, a long-term course of LMWH in therapeutic doses is the treatment of choice.Conclusions:In women with cancer, the clinical course is often complicated by VTE episodes. The risk of VTE increases in association with either inherited or acquired thrombophilic conditions. Appropriate management of throemboembolism in women with cancer has the potential to reduce the negative clinical outcomes related to these complications.     

Diet as prophylaxis and treatment for venous thromboembolism?

Background

Both prophylaxis and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE: deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary emboli (PE)) with anticoagulants are associated with significant risks of major and fatal hemorrhage. Anticoagulation treatment of VTE has been the standard of care in the USA since before 1962 when the U.S. Food and Drug Administration began requiring randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) showing efficacy, so efficacy trials were never required for FDA approval. In clinical trials of 'high VTE risk' surgical patients before the 1980s, anticoagulant prophylaxis was clearly beneficial (fatal pulmonary emboli (FPE) without anticoagulants = 0.99%, FPE with anticoagulants = 0.31%). However, observational studies and RCTs of 'high VTE risk' surgical patients from the 1980s until 2010 show that FPE deaths without anticoagulants are about one-fourth the rate that occurs during prophylaxis with anticoagulants (FPE without anticoagulants = 0.023%, FPE while receiving anticoagulant prophylaxis = 0.10%). Additionally, an FPE rate of about 0.012% (35/28,400) in patients receiving prophylactic anticoagulants can be attributed to 'rebound hypercoagulation' in the two months after stopping anticoagulants. Alternatives to anticoagulant prophylaxis should be explored.

Methods and Findings

The literature concerning dietary influences on VTE incidence was reviewed. Hypotheses concerning the etiology of VTE were critiqued in relationship to the rationale for dietary versus anticoagulant approaches to prophylaxis and treatment. Epidemiological evidence suggests that a diet with ample fruits and vegetables and little meat may substantially reduce the risk of VTE; vegetarian, vegan, or Mediterranean diets favorably affect serum markers of hemostasis and inflammation. The valve cusp hypoxia hypothesis of DVT/VTE etiology is consistent with the development of VTE being affected directly or indirectly by diet. However, it is less consistent with the rationale of using anticoagulants as VTE prophylaxis. For both prophylaxis and treatment of VTE, we propose RCTs comparing standard anticoagulation with low VTE risk diets, and we discuss the statistical considerations for an example of such a trial.

Conclusions

Because of (a) the risks of biochemical anticoagulation as anti-VTE prophylaxis or treatment, (b) the lack of placebo-controlled efficacy data supporting anticoagulant treatment of VTE, (c) dramatically reduced hospital-acquired FPE incidence in surgical patients without anticoagulant prophylaxis from 1980 - 2010 relative to the 1960s and 1970s, and (d) evidence that VTE incidence and outcomes may be influenced by diet, randomized controlled non-inferiority clinical trials are proposed to compare standard anticoagulant treatment with potentially low VTE risk diets. We call upon the U. S. National Institutes of Health and the U.K. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence to design and fund those trials.     

A Prospective Study on the Incidence of Postoperative Venous Thromboembolism in Korean Gastric Cancer Patients: An Inquiry into the Application of Western Guidelines to Asian Cancer Patients

Several Western guidelines recommend the routine use of pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis for cancer surgery patients to prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, the necessity of routine pharmacologic perioperative thromboprophylaxis in Asian gastric cancer (GC) patients has not been clearly determined. To determine the necessity of routine perioperative pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in Korean gastric cancer patients, the incidence of postoperative VTE was prospectively evaluated in gastric cancer patients receiving surgery. Among 610 GC patients who had received surgery, 375 patents underwent routine duplex Doppler ultrasonography (DUS) on days 5–12 following surgery to detect VTE and then VTE-related symptoms and signs were checked at 4 weeks after surgery (cohort A). The 235 patients that declined DUS were registered to cohort B and the occurrence of postoperative VTE was retrospectively analyzed. In cohort A, symptomatic or asymptomatic VTE until 4 weeks after surgery was detected in 9 patients [2.4%; 95% confidence interval (CI); 0.9–3.9]. Tumor stage was a significant factor related to VTE development [stage I, 1.4%; stage II/III, 2.4%; stage IV, 9.7% (P = 0.008)]. In multivariate analysis, patients with stage IV had a higher postoperative VTE development [odds ratio, 8.18 (95% CI, 1.54–43.42)] than those with stage I. In cohort B, a low incidence of postoperative VTE was reaffirmed; only one postoperative VTE case (0.4%) was observed. In conclusion, the incidence of postoperative VTE in Korean GC patients was only 2.4%. Risk-stratified applications of perioperative pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis are thought to be more appropriate than the routine pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis in Korean GC patients receiving surgery.     

Impact of D-Dimer for Prediction of Incident Occult Cancer in Patients with Unprovoked Venous Thromboembolism

BackgroundUnprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE) is related to a higher incidence of occult cancer. D-dimer is clinically used for screening VTE, and has often been shown to be present in patients with malignancy. We explored the predictive value of D-dimer for detecting occult cancer in patients with unprovoked VTE.MethodsWe retrospectively examined data from 824 patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism. Of these, 169 (20.5%) patients diagnosed with unprovoked VTE were selected to participate in this study. D-dimer was categorized into three groups as: <2,000, 2,000–4,000, and >4,000 ng/ml. Cox regression analysis was employed to estimate the odds of occult cancer and metastatic state of cancer according to D-dimer categories.ResultsDuring a median 5.3 (interquartile range: 3.4–6.7) years of follow-up, 24 (14%) patients with unprovoked VTE were diagnosed with cancer. Of these patients, 16 (67%) were identified as having been diagnosed with metastatic cancer. Log transformed D-dimer levels were significantly higher in those with occult cancer as compared with patients without diagnosis of occult cancer (3.5±0.5 vs. 3.2±0.5, P-value = 0.009, respectively). D-dimer levels >4,000 ng/ml was independently associated with occult cancer (HR: 4.12, 95% CI: 1.54–11.04, P-value = 0.005) when compared with D-dimer levels <2,000 ng/ml, even after adjusting for age, gender, and type of VTE (e.g., deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary thromboembolism). D-dimer levels >4000 ng/ml were also associated with a higher likelihood of metastatic cancer (HR: 9.55, 95% CI: 2.46–37.17, P-value <0.001).ConclusionElevated D-dimer concentrations >4000 ng/ml are independently associated with the likelihood of occult cancer among patients with unprovoked VTE.     

Inhibition of Renin Angiotensin Axis May Be Associated with Reduced Risk of Developing Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Atherosclerotic Disease

Background

Arterial and venous thrombosis may share common pathophysiology involving the activation of platelets and inflammatory mediators. A growing body of evidence suggests prothrombotic effect of renin angiotensin system (RAS) including vascular inflammation and platelet activation. We hypothesized that the use of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) plays a role in protecting against venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients atherosclerosis.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study, reviewing 1,100 consecutive patients admitted to a teaching hospital with a diagnosis of either myocardial infarction or ischemic stroke from 2005 to 2010. Patients who had been treated with anticoagulation therapy before or after the first visit were excluded. The occurrence of VTE during the follow up period, risk factors for VTE on admission, and the use of ACEIs or ARBs during the follow up period were recorded.

Results

The mean age of the entire study population was 68.1 years. 52.0% of the patients were female and 76.5% were African American. 67.3% were on RAS inhibitorsThe overall incidence of VTE was 9.7% (n = 107). Among the RAS inhibitor users, the incidence of VTE events was 9.0% (54/603) for the ACEI only users, 7.1% (8/113) for the ARB only users, and 0% (0/24) for the patients taking combination of ACEI and ARB. Among patients on RAS inhibitors, 8.4% (62/740) developed a VTE, compared with 12.5% (45/360) in the nonuser group [HR (hazard ratio), 0.58; 95% CI (confidence interval), 0.39–0.84; P<0.01]. Even after controlling for factors related to VTE (smoking, history of cancer, and immobilization, hormone use) and diabetes, the use of RAS inhibitors was still associated with a significantly lower risk of developing VTE (AHR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40–0.88; P = 0.01).

Conclusions

The use of RAS inhibitors appears to be associated with a reduction in the risk of VTE.     

Reduction of Thromboembolic Events in Meningioma Surgery: A Cohort Study of 724 Consecutive Patients

Background

Meningiomas are associated with the highest postoperative rate of venous thromboembolic events (VTE) among all intracranial tumors. The aim of this study is to compare two entirely different VTE prophylaxis regimens in 724 consecutive patients undergoing meningioma surgery.

Methods

Two cohorts at a single institution treated with different regimens to prevent VTE were reviewed retrospectively. Cohort A (n = 482; 314 females, mean age 57 years, range: 11–87 years) received our institutional regimen during the years 1999–2006, consisting of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and compression stockings. For cohort B (n = 242; 163 females, mean age 56.8 years, range: 16–90 years), during the years 2008–2010, the management included intraoperative 10°–20° leg elevation with intermittent pneumatic compression (IPC), heparin and LMWH administration. We compared the incidence of the endpoints pulmonary embolism (PE), deep venous thrombosis (DVT), hemorrhage and death, taking into account several known associated risk factors.

Results

For all endpoints, we observed a more favorable outcome with the new regimen. The difference in incidence of PEs (cohort A: 38/482, 8%; cohort B: 6/242, 2.5%) reached statistical significance (p = 0.002). In general, patients with skull base meningiomas had a higher risk for PE (OR 2.77). Regarding VTE prophylaxis, an adjusted subgroup analysis suggests that the new regimen is particularly beneficial for patients with skull base meningiomas.

Conclusions

We recommend perioperative prophylaxis using a management composed of intraoperative leg-elevation, IPC, early heparin administration and LMWH to reduce the risk for PE.     

Coagulation factor mutations and thrombosis

The coagulation system is governed by a subtle balance between clotting activators and inhibitors. Many genes can contribute to the overall phenotype, and polymorphisms may act to up regulate or down regulate the generation of thrombin, the coagulation-key enzyme. An increase in coagulation factor (gain function) or/and a decrease in coagulation inhibitors (loss of function) may favor venous thromboembolism (VTE). It has been observed since a long time that VTE may be a familial disease, but it was only in 1965 that Egeberg published the first case of inherited antithrombin (AT) deficiency. This was followed by similar reports of protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) deficiencies. Hereditary thrombophilia was thus initially considered as a rare monogenic disorder with incomplete penetrance. AT, PC and PS deficiencies are due to multiple and mostly private mutations of the corresponding genes. Most patients are heterozygous and experience VTE at adult age. Homozygosity associated with severe thrombosis at birth has been observed in newborns with undetectable PC or PS concentrations. The discovery of factor (F) V Leiden and F2 g.20210 G>A, two gain of function mutations, challenged the view of thrombophilia as a rare monogenic disorder. FV Leiden and F2 g.20210 G>A are due to a founder effect and affect populations of European descent with frequencies at 5% and 3% respectively. These two mutations are moderate of risk factor for thrombosis and paved the way for gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Patients carrying more than one genetic risk factor are at higher risk to develop VTE. The exposition to acquired risk factors such as estrogen based oral contraception may also have a synergistic effect favoring thrombosis in patients with FV Leiden or other genetic risk factors.