[Women-specific aspects of venous thromboembolism].

Women have a higher lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) than men. Hormone-associated risk factors such as pregnancy, contraception and hormone replacement therapy contribute significantly to this. Contraception with combined hormonal contraception increases the risk of VTE in young women, with the extent of the increase in risk being determined by the level of the estrogen dose and the progestin component.

Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism in Patients on Anticoagulation: An Update Based on the Revised AWMF S2k Guideline.

In the recently updated German S2k Guideline "Diagnostics and Therapy of Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism," a new chapter was incorporated about recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients on anticoagulation treatment. Despite the high efficacy of anticoagulation in most patients, approximately 2% experience a recurrent VTE event while receiving anticoagulant drugs. The proper diagnosis of the recurrent VTE is important and possible only with the knowledge of localization and thrombus burden of the primary VTE event.

Management of Deep Vein Thrombosis: An Update Based on the Revised AWMF S2k Guideline.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are the most common manifestations of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Most DVTs affect the lower-extremity veins. Since the symptoms of DVT are non-specific, a prompt and standardised diagnostic work-up is essential to minimise the risk of PE in the acute phase and to prevent thrombosis progression, post-thrombotic syndrome and VTE recurrence in the long-term.

Current Topics from the Revised German S2k Guideline on Diagnosis and Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism.

It is an honor and a great pleasure for us to be guest editors for this special issue of , which addresses important issues surrounding the complex of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In February 2023, the revised guideline on "Diagnostics and Therapy of Venous Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism" has been published on the website of the Association of the Scientific Medical Societies in Germany (AWMF)1. This guideline was drawn up under the leadership of the German Society of Angiology (DGA), and representatives of 17 scientific societies contributed to its content.

[Venous thromboembolism - was is new in the revised AWMF guideline?].

For the diagnosis of a lower-extremity deep vein thrombosis (LEDVT), venous duplex ultrasound is the method of first choice. If a qualified ultrasonography is not timely available, D-dimer testing, and limited ultrasound protocols (point-of-care ultrasound, POCUS) can contribute to therapeutic decision-making when clinical probability is low. A DOAC-based treatment regimen is preferable to a vitamin K antagonist for both acute therapy and secondary prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Compression Therapy in Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis of the Lower Limb and for the Prevention of Post-Thrombotic Syndrome—a Review Based on a Structured Literature Search.

Background: After an acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limb, 20% to 63% of patients develop post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS). In this review, we address the efficacy of compression therapy in the treatment of acute DVT of the lower limb, and for the prevention of PTS.

Methods: 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and one meta-analysis, with a total of 3751 patients, were identified in a structured literature search.

Cancer-Associated Venous Thromboembolism-Diagnostic and Therapeutic Considerations: An Update Based on the Revised AWMF S2k Guideline.

Patients with cancer are prone to develop venous thromboembolism (VTE) with negative impact on quality of life, morbidity, and mortality. Treatment of established VTE is often complex in patients with cancer. Treatment of cancer-associated VTE (CAT) basically comprises initial and maintenance treatment, for 3 to 6 months, secondary preventions, and treatment in special situations.

[Thromboembolic disease - the angiologist's point of view].

Thrombosis and embolism are among the most common causes of death worldwide and, in addition to venous thromboembolism with the two main manifestations of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, also include arterial thrombotic disease such as myocardial infarction, stroke and systemic arterial embolism. It is often the interaction of several predisposing factors that leads to the formation of an intravascular thrombus. Changes in the vascular wall, the blood flow and the composition of the blood (Virchow's triad) play a decisive role in both the arterial and venous vascular systems.

Endovascular interventions in outpatient care.

Endovascular arterial revascularisations for the treatment of symptomatic peripheral arterial disease are constantly increasing in importance and number due to the changing age structure and high numbers of comorbidities in the German population. Patients with peripheral artery disease are often at increased risk for peri- and post-procedural complications including severe cardiovascular events. Due to limited financial and human resources and considerable risks of hospitalization, endovascular interventions that were previously reserved for hospitalized patients are now progressively considered to be performed as day case procedures.

Spontaneous dissection of the superior mesenteric artery related to COVID-19.

Spontaneous peripheral dissections are rare, and in a substantial number of cases, the underlying aetiology remains unclear. We report the case of a 63-year-old male patient with a recent asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection who presented with sudden-onset intermittent abdominal pain. Imaging studies revealed a dissection of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and large-vessel vasculitis involving the SMA as well as the carotid, subclavian, axillary and femoropopliteal arteries.

Women's Health Issues in Thrombosis and Haemostasis.

In the last couple of years sex specific health issues have continually been gaining attraction by physicians of different medical specialities. Sex differences have been described e.g.

Management of Antithrombin Deficiency in Pregnancy.

Antithrombin (AT) deficiency is a high-risk thrombophilia and a rare condition. The risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is increased in AT-deficient women during pregnancy and the postpartum period and is especially high in women with a prior history of VTE. A thorough assessment of VTE risk is recommended in pregnant AT-deficient women, comprising the degree and type of AT deficiency, genetic mutations, personal and family history, and additional preexisting or pregnancy-specific risk factors.

Venous Thromboembolism Issues in Women.

The lifetime risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) is slightly higher in women than in men. There are several issues related to VTE that are unique to women. Combined hormonal contraceptives and pregnancy increase the risk of VTE in women of childbearing age, whereas hormone replacement therapy increases the VTE risk of postmenopausal women.

Assessment of Association Between Venous Occlusion and Infection of Cardiac Implantable Electronic Devices.

The increasing number of patients treated with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) and indications for complex pacing requires system revisions. Currently, data on venous patency in repeat CIED surgery involving lead (re)placement or extraction are largely missing. This study aimed to assess venous patency and risk factors in patients referred for repeat CIED lead surgery, emphasizing CIED infection.

[Hormonal contraception and venous thromboembolism].

The use of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHC) is a well-established risk factor for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The VTE risk depends on the specific combination of oestrogen and gestagen components. Progestin-only contraceptives with the exception of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate are not associated with a significant VTE risk and can therefore be offered to women with known thrombophilia or a prior VTE.

Fondaparinux Pre-, Peri-, and/or Postpartum for the Prophylaxis/Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism (FondaPPP).

We analyzed data for women who received fondaparinux for ≥7 days during pregnancy. The study retrospectively included women who received fondaparinux pre-, peri- and/or postpartum for ≥7 days for prophylaxis/venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment at German specialist centers (2004-2010). Data on pregnancy, VTE risk factors, anticoagulant treatment, pregnancy outcome and adverse events were extracted from medical records.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism during Pregnancy and the Puerperium with a Special Focus on Women with Hereditary Thrombophilia or Prior VTE-Position Paper of the Working Group in Women's Health of the Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis (GTH).

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Because there is a lack of adequate study data, management strategies for the prevention of VTE during pregnancy have mainly been deduced from case-control and observational studies and extrapolated from recommendations for non-pregnant patients. The decision for or against pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis must be made on an individual basis weighing the risk of VTE against the risk of adverse side effects such as severe bleeding complications.

Venous thromboembolism in patients with COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2 infection) - a position paper of the German Society of Angiology (DGA).

As observed in other infections with a systemic inflammatory response, severe COVID-19 is associated with hypercoagulability and a prothrombotic state. Currently, there is growing evidence that pulmonary embolism and thrombosis contribute to adverse outcomes and increased mortality in critically ill patients with COVID-19. The optimal thromboprophylactic regimen for patients with COVID-19 is not known.

[Thromboprophylaxis in ambulatory patients with cancer].

Ambulatory cancer patients receiving systemic cancer therapy are at varying risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). The VTE risk depends on different cancer types, cancer stage, anti-cancer treatment and individual patient risk factors. Whereas pharmacologic thromboprophylaxis is recommended in most hospitalized cancer patients with an acute medical condition and in patients undergoing major cancer surgery, the role of primary thromboprophylaxis in the ambulatory setting is not clear.

How Do We Treat Pregnancy-Related Venous Thromboembolism?

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality during pregnancy and the postpartum period. Due to a lack of adequate study data, therapeutic strategies for pregnancy-related VTE are deduced from observational studies and extrapolated from recommendations for nonpregnant patients. Because heparins do not cross the placenta, weight-adjusted therapeutic-dose low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWHs) are the anticoagulant treatment of choice in cases of VTE during pregnancy.

Laboratory Diagnostics in Thrombophilia.

A thrombophilic disorder is a hereditary or acquired condition that increases the risk of thrombosis. The most common hereditary thrombophilias that predispose to venous thrombosis in the Caucasian population are the heterozygous forms of the factor V Leiden and prothrombin G20210A mutation that are generally detected by direct DNA genotyping. Immunologic antigen assays and chromogenic or clot-based activity assays are used to identify deficiencies in the natural coagulation inhibitors antithrombin, protein C and protein S.

Antiphospholipid syndrome - an update.

Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is an autoantibody-mediated acquired thrombophilia. It is characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APL) that are directed against phospholipid-binding plasma proteins, such as beta-2-glycoprotein I (b2GPI). Its main manifestations are recurrent vascular thromboses (so-called "thrombotic APS") and pregnancy complications ("obstetric APS").

[Testing for thrombophilia in patients with venous thromboembolism - why and whom to test?].

Hereditary and acquired thrombophilias are known risk factors for a first venous thromboembolism (VTE). In contrast, the relative risk of VTE recurrence in presence of hereditary thrombophilia seems to be at most moderately elevated. However, thrombophilia still contributes to a greater extent to the absolute risk of VTE recurrence.