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Interstitial lung disease (ILD) encompasses various parenchymal lung disorders, which has the potential to increase the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE). To evaluate, in patients with ILD and VTE, the risk of recurrent VTE during follow-up after stopping anticoagulation. This was a cohort of patients with a first VTE recruited between 1997 and 2015. The primary outcome was adjudicated fatal or nonfatal recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation. Main secondary outcomes were major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding under anticoagulation. Among 4314 patients with VTE, 50 had ILD diagnosed before VTE. Of these, anticoagulation was stopped in 30 patients after a median duration of 180 days and continued indefinitely in 20 patients. During a median follow-up of 27.8 months after anticoagulation discontinuation, recurrent VTE occurred in 15 on 30 patients (annual incidence of 19.2 events per 100-person-years [95%CI 12.0-29.3], case-fatality rate of 6.7% [95%CI 1.21-29.8]). The risk of recurrence was threefold higher when VTE was unprovoked and case-fatality rate of recurrence was increased by 3 when VTE index was PE. During the anticoagulant period, (median duration of 8.6 months), 6 patients had a major or clinically relevant bleeding (annual incidence of 7.3 events per 100-person-years [95%CI 3.4-15.1], case-fatality rate of 16.7% [95%CI 3.0-56.4]). In patients with ILD, the risk of recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation and the risk of bleeding under anticoagulation were very high. Our results suggest that anticoagulation should not be prolonged beyond 3-6 months of anticoagulation in most of cases.

Data on long-term venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence risk according to gender are conflicting.To evaluate long-term VTE recurrence risk after a first VTE in men and women under 50 years old.Since May 2000, 875 consecutive patients (315 men, 560 women) with a first symptomatic VTE under 50 years old were enrolled in a French prospective multicentre cohort study and were followed up as long as possible. The primary outcome was symptomatic recurrent VTE during follow-up.At baseline, men were older and had more comorbidities than women. First VTE was mainly unprovoked in men (80.6%) and hormone-related in women (84.3%). During a median follow-up of 7.0 years (inter-quartile range, 5.0-11.0), recurrent VTE occurred in 97 men (30.8%) and in 72 women (12.9%) (annual incidence rates of recurrent VTE of 4.8% versus 1.8%-person-years, P0.001). However, there was no difference according to gender in subgroups of patients with a first unprovoked VTE (5.8% versus 3.8%-person-years, P = 0.09). In women, duration of hormonal treatment before first VTE did not influence recurrence risk. In multivariable analysis, unprovoked VTE and family history of VTE were independently associated with recurrence (hazard ratio of 2.50 (95% confidence interval, 1.61 to 3.85) and 1.52 (1.11 to 2.09) respectively).Number of women with unprovoked VTE was low.In patients with a first VTE under 50 years old, a first unprovoked episode and a family history of VTE, but not gender, were associated with a high risk of long-term recurrence.

Background We aimed to assess whether high pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) measured at the time of pulmonary embolism (PE) diagnosis is associated with an increased risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Study Design and Methods French prospective cohort of patients with a symptomatic episode of PE diagnosed with spiral computerized tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) or ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) lung scan and a follow-up of at least 6 months after anticoagulation discontinuation. PVOI was assessed based on the available diagnostic exam (V/Q lung scan or CTPA). All patients had standardized follow-up and independent clinicians adjudicated all deaths and recurrent VTE events. Main outcome was recurrent VTE after stopping anticoagulation. Results A total of 418 patients with PE were included. During a median follow-up period of 3.6 (1.2–6.0) years, 109 recurrences occurred. In multivariate analysis, PVOI ≥ 40% was an independent risk factor for recurrence (hazard ratio 1.77, 95% confidence interval 1.20–2.62, p Conclusion PVOI ≥ 40% at PE diagnosis was an independent risk factor for recurrence VTE. Further prospective validation studies are needed.

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Background We aimed to determine the prevalence of residual pulmonary vascular obstruction (RPVO) after symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE) and to identify risk factors for RPVO. Methods On the basis of a prospective cohort of patients with a documented symptomatic venous thromboembolism, we included patients who had an acute PE and underwent a ventilation/perfusion lung scan at 3 to 24 months during the follow-up after PE. RPVO score was assessed for each patient. Initial pulmonary vascular obstruction at PE diagnosis was also assessed when available. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed with preselected data to identify predictors for persistent defect defined as RPVO ≥ 5%. Results Among the 537 included patients, 278 (51.8%) had RPVO ≥ 5%, and 191 (35.6%) had RPVO ≥ 10%. In primary multivariate analysis on overall population, age ≥ 65 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.25, 95% CI, 1.45–3.52) and chronic respiratory failure (OR 3.19, 95% CI, 1.22–10.04) were independent predictors of RPVO ≥ 5%. In secondary multivariate analysis restricted to 256 patients with available initial pulmonary vascular obstruction score at index PE (IPVO), age ≥ 65 years (OR 2.78, 95% CI, 1.41–5.53), unprovoked PE (OR 2.11, 95% CI, 1.11–4.07) and IPVO ≥ 20% (OR 2.94, 95% CI, 1.68–5.20) were found to be independent risk factors for RVPO ≥5%. Conclusion In this selected population of patients with an acute PE, age ≥ 65 years, unprovoked PE and IPVO ≥ 20% at PE diagnosis appeared to be risk factors for residual pulmonary vascular obstruction measured at three to 24 months.

We aimed to validate the Men Continue and HERDOO2 (HERDOO2), D-dimer, age, sex, hormonal therapy (DASH), and updated Vienna recurrent venous thromboembolism prediction models in a population composed entirely of first unprovoked pulmonary embolism, and to analyze the impact of the addition of the pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) on score accuracy.Analyses were based on the double-blind, randomized PADIS-PE trial, which included 371 unprovoked pulmonary embolism patients initially treated for 6 months, successively randomized to receive an additional 18 months of warfarin or placebo, and subsequently followed-up for 2 years.The HERDOO2, DASH, and updated Vienna scores displayed C-statistics of 0.61 (95% CI 0.54-0.68), 0.60 (95% CI 0.53-0.66), and 0.58 (95% CI 0.51-0.66), respectively. Only the HERDOO2 score identified low recurrence risk patients (3%/year) after anticoagulation was stopped. When added to either of the prediction models, PVOI measured at pulmonary embolism diagnosis, after 6 months of anticoagulation, or both, improved scores' C-statistics between +0.06 and +0.11 points and consistently led to identifying at least 50% of patients who experienced recurrence but in whom the scores would have indicated against extended anticoagulation.In patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism, the HERDOO2 score is able to identify patients with a low recurrence risk after treatment discontinuation. Addition of PVOI improves accuracy of all scores.URL: http://www.controlled-trials.com. Unique identifier: NCT00740883.

The optimal duration of anticoagulation after a first episode of unprovoked deep-vein thrombosis is uncertain. We aimed to assess the benefits and risks of an additional 18 months of treatment with warfarin versus placebo, after an initial 6 months of anticoagulation for a first unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing an additional 18 months of warfarin with placebo in patients with a unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis initially treated for 6 months (treatment period: 18 months; follow up after treatment period: 24 months). The primary outcome was the composite of recurrent venous thromboembolism or major bleeding at 18 months. Secondary outcomes were the composite at 42 months, as well as each component of the composite, and death unrelated to pulmonary embolism or major bleeding, at 18 and 42 months. All outcomes were centrally adjudicated. A total of 104 patients, enrolled between July 2007 and October 2013 were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis; no patient was lost to follow-up. During the 18-month treatment period, the primary outcome occurred in none of the 50 patients in the warfarin group and in 16 out of 54 patients (cumulative risk, 29.6%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.01 to 0.09; P

We aimed to assess the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) following cessation of anticoagulation therapy.In a prospective cohort of 1468 patients with a documented episode of VTE, followed for up to 5 years after cessation of anticoagulation therapy, the diagnosis of COPD was confirmed in 136. The main outcome was recurrent VTE. The secondary outcome was overall mortality. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify the risk factors of recurrence.Of the 1468 patients included, recurrent VTE was observed in 306 (34 with COPD and 272 without) during a median follow-up period of 36.5 months. The incidence rate of recurrent VTE was 9.1% (95% CI 6.5–12.8) for COPD patients and 7.0% (95% CI 6.2–7.9) for non-COPD patients. COPD was not associated with an increased risk of VTE recurrence on univariate or multivariate analyses (hazard ratio: 1.0 (95% CI 0.7–1.4)). The risk of death, adjusted for demographic and clinical characteristics, showed no increase in COPD patients, as compared to non-COPD patients.In patients with COPD who had an acute episode of VTE, the risk of recurrent VTE was not any higher than that in non-COPD patients.

International audience; The optimal duration of anticoagulation after a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism is uncertain. To determine the benefits and harms of an additional 18-month treatment with warfarin vs placebo, after an initial 6-month nonrandomized treatment period on a vitamin K antagonist. Randomized, double-blind trial (treatment period, 18 months; median follow-up, 24 months); 371 adult patients who had experienced a first episode of symptomatic unprovoked pulmonary embolism (ie, with no major risk factor for thrombosis) and had been treated initially for 6 uninterrupted months with a vitamin K antagonist were randomized and followed up between July 2007 and September 2014 in 14 French centers. Warfarin or placebo for 18 months. The primary outcome was the composite of recurrent venous thromboembolism or major bleeding at 18 months after randomization. Secondary outcomes were the composite at 42 months (treatment period plus 24-month follow-up), as well as each component of the composite, and death unrelated to pulmonary embolism or major bleeding, at 18 and 42 months. After randomization, 4 patients were lost to follow-up, all after month 18, and 1 withdrew due to an adverse event. During the 18-month treatment period, the primary outcome occurred in 6 of 184 patients (3.3%) in the warfarin group and in 25 of 187 (13.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.22; 95% CI, 0.09-0.55; P = .001). Recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in 3 patients in the warfarin group and 25 patients in the placebo group (HR, 0.15; 95% CI, 0.05-0.43); major bleeding occurred in 4 patients in the warfarin group and in 1 patient in the placebo group (HR, 3.96; 95% CI, 0.44 to 35.89). During the 42-month entire study period (including the study treatment and follow-up periods), the composite outcome occurred in 33 patients (20.8%) in the warfarin group and in 42 (24.0%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.75; 95% CI, 0.47-1.18). Rates of recurrent venous thromboembolism, major bleeding, and unrelated death did not differ between groups. Among patients with a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism who received 6 months of anticoagulant treatment, an additional 18 months of treatment with warfarin reduced the composite outcome of recurrent venous thrombosis and major bleeding compared with placebo. However, benefit was not maintained after discontinuation of anticoagulation therapy. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT00740883.

SummaryChronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) has been estimated to occur in 0.1–0.5% of patients who survive a pulmonary embolism (PE), but more recent prospective studies suggest that its incidence may be much higher. The absence of initial haemodynamic evaluation at the time of PE should explain this discrepancy. We performed a prospective multicentre study including patients with PE in order to assess the prevalence and to describe risk factors of CTEPH. Follow-up every year included an evaluation of dyspnea and echocardiography using a predefined algorithm. In case of suspected CTEPH, the diagnosis was confirmed using right heart catheterisation (RHC). Signs of CTEPH were searched on the multidetector computed tomography (CT) and echocardiography performed at the time of PE. Of the 146 patients analysed, eight patients (5.4%) had suspected CTEPH during a median follow-up of 26 months. CTEPH was confirmed using RHC in seven cases (4.8%; 95%CI, 2.3 – 9.6) and ruled-out in one. Patients with CTEPH were older, had more frequently previous venous thromboembolic events and more proximal PE than those without CTEPH. At the time of PE diagnosis, patients with CTEPH had a higher systolic pulmonary artery pressure and at least two signs of CTEPH on the initial CT. After acute PE, the prevalence of CTEPH appears high. However, initial echocardiography and CT data at the time of the index PE suggest that a majority of patients with CTEPH had previously unknown pulmonary hypertension, indicating that a first clinical presentation of CTEPH may mimic acute PE.

Background: Patients with a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism have a high risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after anticoagulation is discontinued. Prolongation of anticoagulant therapy beyond the initial period of 3 to 6 months is associated with a significant reduction of recurrent VTE, but an excess of bleeding events. In addition, most studies assessing prolonged treatment did not follow the patients after treatment had been stopped. Thus, the optimal duration of anticoagulation in patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism remains uncertain. Method: In a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, we compared an additional 18 months of warfarin (target International Normalized Ratio, 2 to 3) with placebo in patients with a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism that had been initially treated with a vitamin K antagonist for 6 uninterrupted months. In both groups, all patients were followed up for an additional median period of 2 years after treatment had been stopped. Primary outcome was the composite of recurrent VTE or major bleeding during the 18-month treatment period. Secondary outcomes included the composite outcome during the entire study period (i.e. 18 months plus a median follow-up of 2 years), deaths not caused by pulmonary embolism or major bleeding and the components of the composite outcome during the treatment period and during the entire study period. All outcomes were centrally adjudicated. Results: A total of 371 patients were included in the study and analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis. During the treatment period, the composite outcome occurred in 6 of 184 patients (3.3%) in the warfarin group and in 25 of 187 patients (13.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio [HR], 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.09-0.55; p=0.0004). Recurrent VTE occurred in 3 (1.7%) patients in the warfarin group and in 25 (13.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.11; 95%CI, 0.03-0.37); major bleeding occurred in 4 (2.2%) patients in the warfarin group and in 1 (0.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 4.07; 95%CI, 0.45-36.38). Two deaths not related to the study outcome occurred in each group. During the entire median study period of 41 months, the composite outcome occurred in 33 (20.8%) patients in the warfarin group and in 41 (23.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.76; 95%CI, 0.48-1.20; p=0.24) (Figure 1). Recurrent VTE occurred in 28 (17.9%) patients in the warfarin group and in 39 (22.1%) in the placebo group (HR, 0.67; 95%CI, 0.41-1.08); major bleeding occurred in 6 (3.5%) patients in the warfarin group and in 4 (2.5%) in the placebo group (HR, 1.57; 95%CI, 0.44-5.55). Thirteen (11.9%) patients died in the warfarin group, four deaths being related to recurrent VTE and one to major bleeding; six (3.6%) patients died in the placebo group from a cause unrelated to recurrent VTE or bleeding (p=0.08). Of the 67 episodes of recurrent VTE, 52 (77.6%) were pulmonary embolism and 58 (86.6%) were unprovoked. Conclusion: After 6 months of anticoagulation for a first episode of unprovoked pulmonary embolism, extending anticoagulation for an additional 18 months was associated with a major reduction in the risk of recurrent VTE or major bleeding during the treatment period. However, this benefit was not maintained after discontinuation of anticoagulation. (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT00740883). Figure 1. Cumulative risk of the composite outcome (recurrent VTE or major bleeding) over the entire study period Figure 1. Cumulative risk of the composite outcome (recurrent VTE or major bleeding) over the entire study period Disclosures Couturaud: Astra Zeneka: Co-investigator in clinical trial, Co-investigator in clinical trial Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Co-investigator in clinical trial Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Sanchez:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Mismetti:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; boerhinger ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Daiichi Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Jego:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; actelion: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding. Parent:Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lorillon:Astra Zeneka: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, symposium invitation Other; Sanofi: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Girard:Leo Pharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Lacut:Bayer-Healthcare: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; BMS: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding. Leroyer:Novartis: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; GlaxoSmithKline: Investigator in COPD clinical trials, Investigator in COPD clinical trials Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Astra Zeneka: Investigator in asthma clinical trials Other, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Decousus:Daiichi-Sankyo: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Meyer:Sanofi-Aventis: Research Funding; LEO Pharma: Research Funding; Bayer: Research Funding; Boehringer Ingelheim: Research Funding. Mottier:Pfizer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer Ingelheim: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sanofi: Research Funding.