Postoperative thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura after aortofemoral bypass

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is uncommon in the postoperative setting, even more so after vascular surgery. We present a case of thrombocytopenia after aortofemoral bypass, which highlights the importance of a high index of suspicion for postoperative TTP to avoid life-threatening consequences

Medical and Economic Burden of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia: Data from the National Inpatient Sample 2009-2011

Background Although generally safe, heparin use can trigger an immune response in which platelet factor 4-heparin complexes set off an antibody-mediated cascade that can result in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Although older studies report incidences as high as 5% in high-risk subgroups of surgical patients, recent studies report a much lower incidence (0.02% of hospital admissions and Methods We used the 2009-2011 National Inpatient Sample database to identify patients aged ≥18 years with primary and secondary diagnoses of HIT (International Classification of Diseases, 9th Revision, Clinical-Modification [ICD-9-CM] code 289.84). We derived the prevalence rate of HIT overall as well as among subgroup of patients undergoing 3 types of surgeries (cardiac, vascular and orthopedic surgeries). We compared characteristics of patients diagnosed with versus without HIT, and HIT with thrombosis (HITT) versus those without thrombosis. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 13.1, which accounted for the complex survey design and clustering. We used a 2-sided p-value of Results We identified 72,515 cases of HIT among a total of 98,636,364 hospitalizations (0.07%). Arterial and venous thromboses were identified in 24,880 (34.3%) of cases with HIT. Males were slightly more likely to be diagnosed with HIT (50.12% vs. 49.88%, odds ratio, OR 1.48, 95% CI: 1.46-1.51), but females had higher rates of post-cardiac and vascular surgery-associated HIT (OR: 1.41, 95% confidence interval, CI: 1.26-1.58, p Conclusion Although rates of HIT appear lower in the modern era of widespread low molecular weight heparin use, patients undergoing cardiac and vascular surgeries remain at significant risk. Even in recent years, one-third of patients with HIT develop thrombosis, which significantly increases mortality, cost and length of stay. Strategies to monitor and mitigate that risk in high-risk patients appear to be warranted

Effectiveness of intravenous immunoglobulin use in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) syndrome is an immune-mediated disorder producing thrombocytopenia and thrombosis, with or without prior exposure to heparin. Although avoidance of heparin products and nonheparin anticoagulants are used, immune-based therapies including intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) have been tried when the thrombocytopenia persists or there is breakthrough thrombosis. We sought to systematically review and analyze the published literature on use of IVIg in the treatment of HIT. A systematic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE and SCOPUS for all study designs and reports were carried out from inception until April 2019. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel and Stata version 13. In 34 patients with HIT, the mean age was 60 years. About 70% cases were by unfractionated heparin exposure and 30% by low-molecular weight heparin. The most common precipitant in the patients without heparin exposure was recent surgery. Average nadir platelet count for which IVIg was used was 28 000/μl. Time from resolution of the thrombocytopenia after IVIg treatment was 3 days with average platelet count recovery to 159 000/μl. Mean time from diagnosis to administration of IVIg was day 18. Thrombosis was identified in 32% of patients. About 77% patients improved (platelet count \u3e100 000/μl or cessation of thrombosis) following use of IVIg. Logistic regression did not identify any factors that predicted IVIg response (P \u3e 0.05). No thrombotic events or other adverse events were noted with use of IVIg. IVIg appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for HIT-related thrombocytopenia and for refractory thrombosis

RS3PE revisited: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 331 cases.

OBJECTIVES: Remitting seronegative symmetrical synovitis with pitting oedema (RS(3)PE) syndrome is a rare inflammatory arthritis, characterised by symmetrical distal synovitis, pitting oedema of the hands and feet, absence of rheumatoid factor, and favourable response to glucocorticoids. The aim of our study is to further delineate the clinical and laboratory features, and response to treatment. METHODS: We performed a systematic electronic search of Medline, PubMed, EMBASE, ACR and EULAR databases for case reports, case series, and related articles of RS(3)PE. Statistical analysis was done comparing categorical variables with Chi-square tests and frequencies of means via t-tests. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to identify predictors of erosions, recurrence, malignancy and rheumatologic disorders. RESULTS: 331 cases of RS(3)PE were identified from 121 articles. RS(3)PE was found in older patients (71±10.42 years) predominantly in males (n= 211, 63.36%), was symmetrical (n=297/311, 95.50%) involved the hands (n=294/311, 94.53%) A concurrent rheumatologic condition was reported in 22 cases (6.65%), and malignancy in 54 cases (16.31%). Radiographic joint erosions were found in 5.5%. Most patients responded to medium-dose glucocorticoids (16.12±9.5 mg/day). Patients with concurrent malignancy requiring non-significantly higher doses of prednisone (18.12 vs. 15.76 mg, p 0.304) and higher likelihood of recurrence of disease (OR 4.04, 95% CI 1.10-14.88, p=0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The symptoms and unique findings that make up RS(3)PE appear to represent a steroid-responsive disease that may be a harbinger of an underlying malignancy. More study is needed to understand the molecular origins of RS(3)PE in order to determine whether it is a separate disease process. Patients with concurrent cancer tend to have more severe presentations and higher rates of recurrence