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Suspected recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common and vexing clinical problem. Confounding the diagnosis of recurrent VTE is a high frequency of residual VTE from prior VTE. The diagnosis of recurrent VTE must be established by comparing current imaging with past imaging to distinguish acute from chronic thrombosis. Next, we must ascertain if non-compliance was the cause of "apparent therapeutic failure" and if non-compliance is at play then re-initiate anticoagulant therapy. Therapeutic failure is relatively uncommon. As such, we must consider underlying causes of therapeutic failures including malignancy and potent thrombophilias. Finally, short term anticoagulant management of therapeutic failures is controversial, and requires further research, but the best current evidence supports a course of full-dose low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) (and dose escalated LMWH if failure occurs while on full-dose LMWH). • Suspected recurrent venous thrombosis is common • First objectively confirm the recurrence then consider the etiology of recurrent VTE and decide whether to change/escalate anticoagulant therapy • Non-compliance is a concern in recurrent VTE [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors reflect on a study about safety concerns of diagnostic algorithm combining clinical probability, d-dimer testing and ultrasonography for suspected upper extremity deep venous thrombosis by A. Kleinjan and others, in the journal "Annals of Internal Medicine" in 2014. It mentions that Upper extremity deep vein thrombosis (UEDVT) causing pulmonary embolism. Also discusses the evaluation of a diagnostic algorithm in patients with UEDVT.

The article presents a study that assessed the importance of single-photon emission computed axial tomography (SPECT) in improving ventilation/perfusion performance. The study determined the diagnostic performance of ventilation/perfusion SPECT scan in a cohort of consecutive patients with suspected pulmonary embolism (PE). It focused on 321 consecutive patients with a clinical suspicion of PE.

Abstract: Objective: Cryofibrinogenemia is an under-recognized cryoprotein that can be life-threatening when untreated. Our aim was to describe the prevalence and clinical findings of patients with cryofibrinogenemia and to clarify the mechanisms involved. Methods: Between 1996 and 2006, 2312 patients were tested for cryofibrinogenemia in a single university hospital. A total of 515 patients had positive test results, of whom 455 (88.3%) had an associated cryoglobulin. Results: Sixty patients (11.7%) with persistent cryofibrinogenemia and without cryoglobulin were included in the study. Main clinical manifestations related to cryofibrinogenemia included purpura (46.6%), skin necrosis (36.6%), and arthralgia (31.6%) with cold sensitivity in 40%. Overall thrombotic events occurred in up to 40% of cases. Cryofibrinogen plasma concentration was 2 times greater in patients with thrombotic events (P =.012). Complications included gangrene (5%), septicemia (5%), and leg amputation (3.3%). Complete remission of cryofibrinogenemia was achieved in 78% of patients receiving antithrombotic agents, steroids, or immunosuppressants, whereas 41.6% of patients experienced a relapse after a median time of 9 months (range 7-42 months). After a mean follow-up of 85 months, 3 patients died of sepsis (n=2) and cardiovascular disease (n=1). Fibrinolysis status analyzed in a patient with cryofibrinogenemia showed an increase in fibrinolysis inhibitor levels, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, alpha-2 macroglobulin, and euglobulin lysis time, which normalized after fibrinolytic therapy. Conclusion: Essential cryofibrinogenemia represents 12% of all the cryoproteins at Pitie-Salpêtriere Hospital. Thrombotic events are frequent and could be associated with the amount of plasma cryofibrinogen. Defects in the fibrinolysis process might lead to cryofibrinogen accumulation and clotting in small and medium arteries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]