Baseline Fibrinogen Levels Research Articles

Association between fibrinogen and white matter lesions and cerebral atrophy in patients with acute ischemic stroke

BackgroundInflammation is a potential mechanism underlying the development of white matter lesions (WMLs) and cerebral atrophy. We aimed to investigate the relationship of fibrinogen levels with WMLs and cerebral atrophy in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). MethodsA total of 701 AIS patients were enrolled. Participants were divided into four groups according to the quartiles of fibrinogen levels: Q1 < 2.58 g/L, Q2: 2.58-3.12 g/L, Q3: 3.12-3.67 g/L, Q4: ≥ 3.67 g/L. White matter hyperintensity (WMH), periventricular hyperintensity (PVH) and deep white matter hyperintensity (DWMH) were defined according to the Fazekas scale. Cerebral atrophy was defined according to global cortical atrophy scores. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the relationship of fibrinogen levels and WMHs, PVH, DWMH and cerebral atrophy. ResultsAmong 701 AIS patients, 498 (71.0 %), 425 (60.6 %), 442 (63.1 %), and 560 (79.9 %) had WMHs, PVH, DWMH and cerebral atrophy, respectively. After adjustment for potential covariates, the highest fibrinogen quartiles were significantly associated with increased risk of WMHs (odds ratio [OR] 1.97, 95 % confidence intervals [CI] 1.10-3.50), PVH (OR 1.85, 95 % CI 1.08-3.16) and cerebral atrophy (OR 2.53, 95 % CI 1.19-5.40) but not DWMH (OR 1.37 95 % CI 0.81-2.31) compared with the lowest fibrinogen quartile. Moreover, the association between elevated fibrinogen levels and the risk of WMLs and cerebral atrophy remained significant as continuous variables. ConclusionsIncreased baseline fibrinogen levels were independently associated with WMHs, PVH and cerebral atrophy in patients with ischemic stroke. Fibrinogen could be the potential blood biomarker of WMLs and cerebral atrophy.

Definitions of major bleeding for predicting mortality in critically ill adult patients who survived 24 hours while supported with peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for cardiogenic shock: a comparative historical cohort study.

The severity of bleeding events is heterogeneously defined during peripheral veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (pVA-ECMO). We studied three bleeding definitions in pVA-ECMO: the Extracorporeal Life Support Organization (ELSO)-serious bleeding, the Bleeding Academic Research Consortium (BARC), and the universal definition of postoperative bleeding (UPDB) classifications. We included consecutive adult patients supported by pVA-ECMO for refractory cardiogenic shock admitted to Lille academic hospitals between January 2013 and December 2019. We assessed the association of bleeding definitions with the primary endpoint of 28-day all-cause mortality with the use of multivariate models accounting for time-dependent and competing variables. We compared models' performances using the Harrell's C-Index and the Akaike information criteria. Twenty-eight-day mortality occurred in 128/308 (42%) 308 patients. The ELSO-serious bleeding (hazard ratio [HR],1.67; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.09 to 2.56) and BARC ≥ type2 (HR,1.55; 95% CI,1.01 to 2.37) were associated with 28-day mortality (Harrell's C-index, 0.69; 95% CI,0.63 to 0.74 for both). Predictors of ELSO-serious bleeding were postcardiotomy, body mass index, baseline platelets count, fibrinogen, and hemoglobin levels. Extracorporeal Life Support Organization-serious bleeding and BARC ≥ type2 are relevant definitions of major bleeding regarding their association with mortality in critically ill patients who survived the first 24hr while supported with pVA-ECMO for cardiogenic shock. CERAR (IRB 00010254-2022-050, Paris, France); first submitted on 18 April 2022.

Blood fibrinogen level as a biomarker of adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background:The association between elevated fibrinogen level and adverse outcomes in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) remains conflicting. This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to evaluate the association between fibrinogen level and adverse outcomes in CAD patients.Methods:Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase databases from their inception to September 30, 2021. Observational studies that investigated the association of blood fibrinogen level with cardiovascular death, all-cause mortality, and major adverse cardiovascular events were eligible.Results:A total of 20,395 CAD patients from 15 articles (13 studies) were included. Comparison with the highest and the lowest fibrinogen level indicated that elevated fibrinogen level was associated with higher risk of cardiovascular death (risk ratio [RR] 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.69–2.98), all-cause mortality (RR 1.88; 95% CI 1.50–2.36), and major adverse cardiovascular events (RR 1.46; 95% CI 1.18–1.81).Conclusion:Elevated fibrinogen level is significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality in patients with CAD. Baseline fibrinogen level can serve as a promising biomarker for risk stratification of CAD.

The Relationships of Fibrinogen and C-Reactive Protein With Gait Performance: A 20-Year Longitudinal Study.

BackgroundGait speed, a central marker of aging, has been linked to various health outcomes, such as cognitive and physical functions in middle-aged adults. Although long-term systemic low-grade inflammation is considered a mechanism underlying a variety of aging-related risk factors, the longitudinal associations between inflammation markers and gait speed are yet to be fully investigated.ObjectiveTo explore the associations of CRP and fibrinogen levels, measured two decades ago, with gait speed among community dwelling adults, considering the contribution of cardio-metabolic factors and cognition.MethodsStudy participants took part in two phases of the of the “Kibbutzim Family Study” (i.e., Phase II, 1999–2000 and Phase III, 2017–2019). Blood samples collected in Phase II (baseline) were used to determine level of inflammatory markers. Gait speed was assessed under single-task (ST) and dual-task (DT) conditions in Phase III. Demographic, anthropometric and clinical data were collected in both phases. Linear regression models were used to assess the adjusted associations of inflammation and gait speed.ResultsA total of 373 individuals aged 34–99 (mean 64 ± 13 years) in Phase III were included in the study. Gait speed under ST was negatively associated with baseline levels of fibrinogen (b per standard deviation (SD) = −0.053, p = 0.0007) and CRP (b per SD = −0.043, p = 0.010), after adjusting for baseline and concurrent cardiometabolic risk factors. Accounting for executive functions, associations of fibrinogen with gait under ST were somewhat attenuated, yet associations remained statistically significant (p < 0.05). Associations with CRP were attenuated to the null. In contrast, there were no associations between inflammation markers and gait under DT.ConclusionOur findings demonstrate that in a sample including younger to older adults, higher systemic inflammatory activity was linked with gait 20 years later, beyond age and cardiometabolic health, and to a certain extent, beyond executive functions. Thus, systemic inflammation may serve as an early marker to identify individuals at risk for gait decline.

Clinical Features of Vaccine-Induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis

BackgroundVaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT) is a new syndrome associated with the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 adenoviral vector vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. Data are lacking on the clinical features of and the prognostic criteria for this disorder.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study involving patients with suspected VITT who presented to hospitals in the United Kingdom between March 22 and June 6, 2021. Data were collected with the use of an anonymized electronic form, and cases were identified as definite or probable VITT according to prespecified criteria. Baseline characteristics and clinicopathological features of the patients, risk factors, treatment, and markers of poor prognosis were determined.ResultsAmong 294 patients who were evaluated, we identified 170 definite and 50 probable cases of VITT. All the patients had received the first dose of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine and presented 5 to 48 days (median, 14) after vaccination. The age range was 18 to 79 years (median, 48), with no sex preponderance and no identifiable medical risk factors. Overall mortality was 22%. The odds of death increased by a factor of 2.7 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4 to 5.2) among patients with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, by a factor of 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3 to 2.3) for every 50% decrease in the baseline platelet count, by a factor of 1.2 (95% CI, 1.0 to 1.3) for every increase of 10,000 fibrinogen-equivalent units in the baseline d-dimer level, and by a factor of 1.7 (95% CI, 1.1 to 2.5) for every 50% decrease in the baseline fibrinogen level. Multivariate analysis identified the baseline platelet count and the presence of intracranial hemorrhage as being independently associated with death; the observed mortality was 73% among patients with platelet counts below 30,000 per cubic millimeter and intracranial hemorrhage.ConclusionsThe high mortality associated with VITT was highest among patients with a low platelet count and intracranial hemorrhage. Treatment remains uncertain, but identification of prognostic markers may help guide effective management. (Funded by the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.)

Baseline or 90-day fibrinogen levels and long-term outcomes after ischemic stroke or TIA: Results from the China national stroke registry Ⅲ

Background and aimsElevated fibrinogen levels have been observed in patients with acute ischemic stroke, but the association of fibrinogen with stroke outcomes is still undefined. We aimed to assess the association between baseline or 90-day fibrinogen levels and long-term outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA). MethodsUsing data from the China National Stroke Registry Ⅲ, this substudy included 10 518 patients within 7 days (baseline) of onset and 6268 patients at 90 days of recovery. Multivariate Cox regression and logistic regression analyses were used to assess the associations of fibrinogen with poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score 3–6), dependence (modified Rankin Scale score 3–5), all-cause death, and stroke recurrence at 1 year. ResultsFibrinogen levels at 90 days were higher than those at baseline (443.5 mg/dl versus 393.7 mg/dl; p < 0.001). A high baseline fibrinogen level was associated with poor functional outcome (odds ratio [OR], 1.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35–1.97) and dependence (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.36–2.09) after adjusting for all confounding risk factors. In contrast, further adjustment for high-sensitivity C-reactive protein attenuated the association between baseline fibrinogen level and all-cause death or stroke recurrence. Furthermore, a high 90-day fibrinogen level was also associated with poor functional outcome (OR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.07–2.00) and dependence (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.03–1.98) after adjusting for all confounding risk factors. ConclusionsHigh baseline and 90-day fibrinogen levels were associated with outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke or TIA.

Fibrinogen Level Combined With Platelet Count for Predicting Hemorrhagic Transformation in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated With Mechanical Thrombectomy.

A serious complication of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) after mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is hemorrhagic transformation (HT), which is potentially associated with clinical deterioration. This study examined predictors of HT following MT in AIS patients. Patients with AIS due to large artery occlusion in the anterior circulation, treated with MT and successfully recanalized (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 2b/3), were studied retrospectively. HT was evaluated by computed tomography (CT) 24 h after MT and was diagnosed and classified into parenchymal hematoma (PH) and hemorrhagic infarction (HI). Multivariate logistic regression models were used to determine the risk factors for HT. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed to determine the predictive utility of risk factors for HT. We enrolled 135 patients: 49 in the HT group and 86 in the non-HT group. The two groups differed significantly in baseline fibrinogen levels (p = 0.003) and platelet counts (p = 0.006). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that lower fibrinogen levels [odds ratio (OR), 0.41; 95% CI, 0.23–0.72; p = 0.002] and platelet counts (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.33–0.99; p = 0.048) were independently associated with a higher risk of HT. Together, the binary variates fibrinogen and platelets well-predicted HT (area under the curve, 0.703; specificity, 77.9%; sensitivity, 55.1%). The combination of fibrinogen <2.165 g/L and platelets <171.5 × 109/L was the strongest predictor of HT (OR, 23.17; 95% CI, 5.75–126.80; p < 0.0001). Our study suggests that lower baseline fibrinogen levels and platelet counts may be risk factors for HT in AIS patients following MT and reperfusion. Specifically, the combination of fibrinogen level and platelet count may predict the risk of HT after MT in these patients.

Rate of Differentiation Syndrome in Patients Based on Timing of Initial All-Trans Retinoic Acid Administration

Rate of Differentiation Syndrome in Patients Based on Timing of Initial All-Trans Retinoic Acid Administration

On-treatment immune prognostic score for patients with relapsed and/or metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma treated with immunotherapy

BackgroundPrevious studies have suggested that inflammatory markers (neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and fibrinogen) are prognostic biomarkers in patients with a variety of solid cancers, including those treated with...

COVID-19 patient plasma demonstrates resistance to tPA-induced fibrinolysis as measured by thromboelastography.

Patients critically ill with COVID-19 are at risk for thrombotic events despite prophylactic anticoagulation. Impaired fibrinolysis has been proposed as an underlying mechanism. Our objective was to determine if fibrinolysis stimulated by tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) differed between COVID patients and controls. Plasma from 14 COVID patients on prophylactic heparin therapy was obtained and compared with heparinized plasma from 14 different healthy donors to act as controls. Kaolin activated thromboelastography with heparinase was utilized to obtain baseline measurements and then repeated with the addition of 4 nM tPA. Baseline fibrinogen levels were higher in COVID plasma as measured by maximum clot amplitude (43.6 ± 6.9 mm vs. 23.2 ± 5.5 mm, p < 0.0001) and Clauss assay (595 ± 135 mg/dL vs. 278 ± 44 mg/dL, p < 0.0001). With the addition of tPA, fibrinolysis at 30 min after MA (LY30%) was lower (37.9 ± 16.5% vs. 58.9 ± 18.3%, p = 0.0035) and time to 50% lysis was longer (48.8 ± 16.3 vs. 30.5 ± 15.4 min, p = 0.0053) in the COVID-19 samples. Clotting times and rate of fibrin polymerization (‘R’ or ‘α’ parameters) were largely the same in both groups. Clot from COVID patients contains a higher fibrin content compared to standard controls and shows resistance to fibrinolysis induced by tPA. These findings suggest the clinical efficacy of thrombolytics may be reduced in COVID-19 patients.

Risk Factors for Tigecycline-Associated Hypofibrinogenemia.

BackgroundWith the widespread use of tigecycline, especially in elderly people infected with multidrug-resistant bacteria, the associated coagulation disorders are attracting the attention of clinicians. The risk factors of tigecycline-associated hypofibrinogenemia are still controversial.PurposeThe aims of our study were to explore the related factors of hypofibrinogenemia caused by tigecycline, and to establish the risk assessment criteria for tigecycline-associated hypofibrinogenemia.Patients and MethodsThis was an observational retrospective cohort study of patients treated for at least 3 days with tigecycline. Hypofibrinogenemia was defined as plasma fibrinogen <2.0 g/L. Risk factors were determined using logistic regression analysis, and the risk assessment criteria were identified by using receiver operating characteristic curves.ResultsIn total, 148 patients were included in the analysis, mean age was 77.09±15.11 years old. Ninety patients who developed hypofibrinogenemia during tigecycline treatment with mean plasma fibrinogen of 1.42 g/L were included in the hypofibrinogenemia group, the other 58 patients with mean plasma fibrinogen of 2.68 g/L were included in the normal group. In the multivariate analysis, age (p = 0.035), tigecycline treatment duration (p = 0.044), and baseline fibrinogen level (p = 0.002) were independently associated with hypofibrinogenemia. An age of ≥82 years, ≥9 days of medication, and a baseline fibrinogen level of ≤3.5 g/L were selected for predicting hypofibrinogenemia. Hypofibrinogenemia was independently associated with bleeding (OR 8.96, 95% CI [1.132–70.946], p = 0.038).ConclusionHypofibrinogenemia is a common adverse effect of tigecycline in our study. Elderly patients are more prone to developing hypofibrinogenemia after the administration of tigecycline. It is independently associated with bleeding but not death. The risk assessment criteria can help in the identification of patients with high risk of hypofibrinogenemia.

Early Fibrinogen Depletion and Symptomatic Intracranial Hemorrhage After Reperfusion Therapy.

Background and Purpose- We aimed to thoroughly investigate the relationship between early fibrinogen depletion and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) in patients receiving reperfusion therapy including intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) with or without endovascular thrombectomy (EVT). Methods- This study included 1135 stroke patients with baseline and follow-up fibrinogen levels at 2 hours after the beginning of alteplase infusion for those with IVT only or immediately after the end of EVT for those with combined IVT and EVT. Patients received alteplase up to 9 hours after the onset or on awakening based on automated perfusion imaging. sICH was ascertained using ECASS II (The Second European-Australasian Acute Stroke Study) criteria. Δfibrinogen was calculated as follow-up fibrinogen minus baseline fibrinogen. Results- In patients with IVT only, baseline fibrinogen level was 3.36±0.94 g/L and decreased to 2.47±0.80 g/L at 2 hours after the beginning of alteplase infusion. In patients with IVT followed by EVT, baseline fibrinogen level was 3.35±0.82 g/L and decreased to 2.52±0.83 g/L immediately after the end of EVT. sICH was observed in 44 (3.9%) patients. The extent of Δfibrinogen was associated with sICH in patients with IVT only (odds ratio, 1.929; 95% CI, 1.402-2.654; P<0.001) and in those with IVT followed by EVT (odds ratio, 1.765; 95% CI, 1.135-2.743; P=0.012). Conclusions- An early decrease in fibrinogen levels was related to sICH after reperfusion therapy with alteplase. More fibrin-specific thrombolytic agents are warranted to be tested in acute ischemic stroke patients. Clinical Trial Registration- URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT03367286.

Relationship between fibrinogen levels and cardiovascular events in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention: a large single-center study.

Background:It is currently unclear if fibrinogen is a risk factor for adverse events in patients receiving percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or merely serves as a marker of pre-existing comorbidities and other causal factors. We therefore investigated the association between fibrinogen levels and 2-year all-cause mortality, and compared the additional predictive value of adding fibrinogen to a basic model including traditional risk factors in patients receiving contemporary PCI.Methods:A total of 6293 patients undergoing PCI with measured baseline fibrinogen levels were enrolled from January to December 2013 in Fuwai Hospital. Patients were divided into three groups according to tertiles of baseline fibrinogen levels: low fibrinogen, <2.98 g/L; medium fibrinogen, 2.98 to 3.58 g/L; and high fibrinogen, ≥3.58 g/L. Independent predictors of 2-year clinical outcomes were determined by multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression modeling. The increased discriminative value of fibrinogen for predicting all-cause mortality was assessed using the C-statistic and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI).Results:The 2-year all-cause mortality rate was 1.2%. It was significantly higher in the high fibrinogen compared with the low and medium fibrinogen groups according to Kaplan-Meier analyses (1.7% vs. 0.9% and 1.7% vs. 1.0%, respectively; log-rank, P = 0.022). Fibrinogen was significantly associated with all-cause mortality according to multivariate Cox regression (hazard ratio 1.339, 95% confidence interval: 1.109–1.763, P = 0.005), together with traditional risk factors including age, sex, diabetes mellitus, left ventricular ejection fraction, creatinine clearance, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. The area under the curve for all-cause mortality in the basic model including traditional risk factors was 0.776, and this value increased to 0.787 when fibrinogen was added to the model (IDI = 0.003, Z = 0.140, P = 0.889).Conclusions:Fibrinogen is associated with 2-year all-cause mortality in patients receiving PCI, but provides no additional information over a model including traditional risk factors.

PROGNOSTIC RELEVANCE OF PLASMA D-DIMER AND FIBRINOGEN LEVELS ON ADVERSE CARDIOVASCULAR EVENTS AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION IN PATIENTS WITH CORONARY ARTERY DISEASE

We evaluate the clinical implication of hypercoagulability surrogates, D-dimer (fibrinolysis) and fibrinogen (thrombosis) levels, in PCI-treated patients. Baseline D-dimer and fibrinogen levels were measured (n=2,344). We stratified patients into four groups according to D-dimer and fibrinogen

Plasma fibrinogen level as possible prognostic biomarker in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma

ABSTRACTObjectives: Although many studies have assessed numerous molecular and immunohistochemical prognostic markers for diffuse large Bcell lymphoma (DLBCL), there is always a need for simple widely available markers. This study was planned to illustrate the clinical significance of baseline plasma fibrinogen levels in DLBCL patients.Methods: We prospectively investigated 76 DLBCL patients treated with rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, vincristine, doxorubicin and hostacortine between August 2015 and February 2018. Baseline plasma fibrinogen level was measured and correlated with patients’ clinical features, laboratory parameters, response to therapy, progression-free survival and overall survival.Results: Significant association between fibrinogen level and clinical features such as the presence of B symptoms (P < .001) and clinical stage (P < .001) was observed while no association with age, gender, number of involved extranodal sites, performance status and international prognostic index (IPI) was found. Baseline fibrinogen level was significantly related to laboratory parameters including red cell distribution width (RDW) (P < .001), platelet count (P = .02), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (P = .009) and B2-microglobulin (P = .008). No statistically significant correlations were detected between baseline fibrinogen levels; and response to therapy, progression-free survival and overall survival.Conclusion: Baseline plasma fibrinogen level did not show prognostic significance for DLBCL patients, although it was associated with patients’ clinical features and laboratory parameters. Being simple, cheap and widely available laboratory test, its use should be encouraged routinely in clinical practice to precisely clarify its predictive merit.

Adenosine, lidocaine, and Mg2+ (ALM) resuscitation fluid protects against experimental traumatic brain injury.

Currently, no drug therapy prevents secondary injury progression after traumatic brain injury (TBI). Our aim was to investigate the effects of small-volume intravenous adenosine, lidocaine, and Mg (ALM) resuscitation fluid after moderate TBI in a rat fluid-percussion injury model. Anesthetized, mechanically ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats (449 ± 5 g) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) sham (craniotomy without TBI), (2) no-treatment, (3) saline-control, or (4) ALM therapy groups (all n = 16). A subdural probe was implanted in eight animals per group to measure cerebral blood flow. Fifteen minutes after moderate TBI was induced with lateral fluid percussion injury (2.57 atm), a single 3% NaCl ± ALM bolus (0.7 mL/kg) was injected intravenously, and after 60 minutes (Phase 1), 0.9% NaCl ± ALM stabilization "drip" (0.5 mL/kg per hour) was administered for 3 hours (Phase 2). Mortality (without subdural brain probe) was 25% (saline controls) and 0% (ALM). Sixty minutes after bolus, ALM significantly increased cardiac function, cortical blood flow (CBF; approximately threefold) and blunted systemic inflammation compared to saline controls. Three hours after infusion drip, ALM improved left ventricular function, supported higher CBF, decreased proinflammatory cytokines systemically (IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor α, and regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted [RANTES]), increased anti-inflammatory cytokines in brain tissue (IL-10, IL-4), lowered brain injury markers (neuron-specific enolase, Syndecan-1, HMGB-1), reduced coagulopathy, increased platelet aggregation, and maintained baseline fibrinogen levels. Saline-controls were proinflammatory (brain, heart, lung, and blood) and hypocoagulable with neurogenic enlargement of the right side of the heart. Survival time significantly correlated with plasma neuron-specific enolase (p = 0.001) and CBF at 180 minutes (p = 0.009), and CBF correlated with brain anti-inflammatory cytokines (p = 0.001-0.034). After moderate TBI, ALM resuscitation fluid increased survival and protected against early secondary injury by reducing coagulopathy, inflammation, and platelet dysfunction.

Abstract No. 658 Investigating possible associated factors of decreasing fibrinogen levels during catheter-directed thrombolysis: a single-institution experience

Fibrinogen is routinely monitored during catheter-directed thrombolysis (CDT) as a surrogate for potential significant bleeding events (1). The primary purpose of this study is to analyze possible causes of decreasing fibrinogen during CDT. Retrospective review of patients that underwent endovascular arterial and venous infusion CDT between 2010 and 2016 at an academic medical center was performed after IRB approval. 43 male and 40 female subjects were selected with 91 total encounters, of which 87 had available fibrinogen data; of those, 48 interventions were venous and 39 were arterial. Patients ranged between 11 and 87 years old upon intervention. Baseline fibrinogen and follow-up levels during tPA infusion were documented. Fibrinogen level <150 mg/dL was selected as a primary endpoint, as it serves as a threshold for dose reduction at our institution. Chi-square analysis was performed to evaluate significance of fibrinogen changes with respect to several factors. Additional comparisons of total tPA dose and infusion time was performed with two-way heteroscedastic t-test. 52 patients underwent CDT with a Cragg-McNamara catheter, 18 with an EKOS catheter, 9 with both, and 8 with other infusion catheter types. Fibrinogen reductions below 150 mg/dL were documented in 34 of 87 cases, with a significant association with EKOS use (p = .002) and venous thrombolysis (p = .0003). On average, fibrinogen level decreased by 55.4% in EKOS cases versus 35.1% in all other cases (p = 0.007). There was no significance when comparing those who underwent bolus tPA administration via power pulse delivery or concurrent heparin infusion (p = .09, p = .5). There was no significant difference when comparing average total tPA dose or average duration of lysis (p = 0.91, p = 0.49). Although its utility as a marker for impending bleeding events is debated, fibrinogen is routinely monitored during CDT (1, 2, 3, 4). Variables our data suggested might be related to decreasing fibrinogen levels are EKOS infusion catheter use or venous thrombolysis; thus, interventionalists may choose to more closely monitor fibrinogen levels during ultrasound-enhanced or venous CDT.

Elevated Baseline Serum Fibrinogen: Effect on 2-Year Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events Following Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

BackgroundElevated fibrinogen is associated with short‐term major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) after percutaneous coronary intervention, but the relation with late MACE is unknown.Methods and ResultsBaseline demographics and 2‐year MACE were recorded among subjects undergoing nonemergent percutaneous coronary intervention. A total of 332 subjects (66.6±19.5 years, 69.9% male, 25.3% acute coronary syndrome) were enrolled. Two‐year MACE (periprocedural myocardial infarction 9.0%, rehospitalization 6.3%, revascularization 12.7%, non–periprocedural myocardial infarction 4.5%, stent thrombosis 0.9%, stroke 1.8%, and death 0.6%) were associated with higher fibrinogen (352.8±123.4 mg/dL versus 301.6±110.8 mg/dL; P<0.001), longer total stent length (40.1±25.3 mm versus 32.1±19.3 mm; P=0.004), acute coronary syndrome indication (38.7% versus 17.8%; P<0.001), number of bare‐metal stents (0.5±1.1 versus 0.2±0.5; P=0.002), and stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (55.8% versus 38.4%, P=0.003). No relation between platelet reactivity and 2‐year MACE was observed. Fibrinogen ≥280 mg/dL (odds ratio [OR] 3.0, confidence interval [CI], 1.6–5.4, P<0.001), total stent length ≥32 mm (OR 2.2, CI, 1.3–3.8, P<0.001), acute coronary syndrome indication (OR 4.1, CI, 2.3–7.5, P<0.001), any bare‐metal stents (OR 3.2, CI, 1.6–6.1, P<0.001), and stent diameter ≤2.5 mm (OR 2.0, CI, 1.2–3.5, P=0.010) were independently associated with 2‐year MACE. Following a landmark analysis excluding periprocedural myocardial infarction, fibrinogen ≥280 mg/dL remained strongly associated with 2‐year MACE (37.0% versus 17.4%, log‐rank P<0.001).ConclusionsElevated baseline fibrinogen level is associated with 2‐year MACE after percutaneous coronary intervention. Acute coronary syndrome indication for percutaneous coronary intervention, total stent length implanted, and use of bare‐metal stents or smaller‐diameter stents are also independently associated with 2‐year MACE, while measures of on‐thienopyridine platelet reactivity are not.

Monitoring of Hypercoagulability by Thromboelastography in Bariatric Surgery.

BackgroundObesity is known as a major risk factor for postoperative vein thrombosis. Thromboelastography (TEG) is used to monitor viscoelastic features of blood clots. The aim of this study was to determine hypercoagulable states in patients undergoing bariatric surgery and to assess dynamics of coagulation parameters in the perioperative setting using TEG.Material/MethodsWe included 60 consecutive patients undergoing bariatric surgery. TEG alterations were assessed at 4 time points: at baseline, after the surgery, and on postoperative day 1 (POD1) and 2 (POD2). Hypercoagulable state was defined when patients showed clot strength (G) of ≥11 dynes/cm2 or maximum amplitude (MA) ≥68 mm.ResultsFourteen patients (23.3%) out of 60 showed hypercoagulability prior to surgery on TEG. Fibrinogen levels were significantly higher in the G ≥11 group compared to the G <11 group, at 4.2 and 3.8 g/l, respectively (p=0.02). Seventeen patients (28.3%) had MA ≥68 mm at baseline. Fibrinogen levels increased significantly from 3.90 at baseline to 4.16 g/l in POD2 (p<0.001). There was an increase in mean reaction time from baseline (6.74 s) to POD2 (7.43 s, p=0.022). We found a correlation between baseline fibrinogen levels and MA (R=0.431, p=0.001) or G (R=0.387, p=0.003). ROC curve analysis showed that fibrinogen levels can predict clot strength (G) ≥11 dynes/cm2 with AUC=0.680 (p=0.044).ConclusionsA considerable proportion of patients referred to bariatric surgery show a trend towards hypercoagulability on TEG. This study shows the potential of hypercoagulation monitoring by TEG in the perioperative setting of bariatric surgery.

Evaluation of local carotid stiffness and inflammatory biomarkers in stable angina pectoris.

IntroductionArterial stiffness (AS) is a well-accepted and reliable predictor of atherosclerotic diseases. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of AS.AimTo evaluate local carotid stiffness (CS) together with fibrinogen and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels in stable angina pectoris (SAP) patients.Material and methodsThe study consisted of 353 consecutive patients with SAP. All underwent coronary angiography (CAG) after the evaluation of local CS parameters and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) from both common carotid arteries by a real-time echo-tracking system. Baseline inflammatory biomarkers, serum hsCRP and fibrinogen levels were measured. Based on CAG findings, the patients were classified into 4 groups: control subjects with normal coronary arteries (group 1, n = 86), single-vessel disease (group 2, n = 104), double-vessel disease (group 3, n = 95) and triple-vessel disease (group 4, n = 68).ResultsThe mean carotid pulse wave velocity (PWV) in patients with angiographically confirmed coronary artery disease (CAD) was significantly higher than that in patients with normal coronary arteries (7.82 ±1.76 vs. 6.51 ±0.85 cm/s, p = 0.001). The mean carotid IMT was detected to be significantly higher in group 4 patients compared to those in group 1 (p < 0.001) and group 2 (p = 0.001). Significant correlations were observed between both inflammatory biomarkers and the number of diseased vessels and carotid PWV. Using multi-variate analysis, carotid stiffness, carotid IMT, hsCRP and fibrinogen were independently associated with the presence and extent of CAD.ConclusionsLocal CS, carotid IMT, hsCRP and fibrinogen levels are significant predictors of atherosclerotic burden and they may facilitate the identification of high-risk patients for the early diagnosis and prompt treatment of CAD.