Thrombophilic Mutations Research Articles

Role of inherited thrombophilic profile on survival of patients with sepsis

The existence of various coagulation and/or fibrinolytic system disorders (such as inherited thrombophilia) in patients with sepsis could possibly modify host response to infection as well as patient outcome. The...

Blood anti-Müllerian hormone is a possible determinant of recurrent early miscarriage, yet not conclusive in predicting a further miscarriage.

Is blood anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentration a strong determinant of unexplained recurrent early miscarriage (REM)? In the first part of the study, AMH concentrations measured using an Immunotech ELISA Kit were compared between 188 unselected (mostly fertile) women consecutively referred for three or more miscarriages in the first trimester of pregnancy and 376 age-matched parous women without pregnancy loss. Cases and controls were previously enrolled in an incident case-control study on thrombophilic mutations. Blood samples were collected >2 months after any recognized obstetric event or hormonal treatment. In the second part of the study, a prospective 2-year follow-up of cases was performed. When considering all women irrespective of age, AMH concentration did not significantly differ between cases and controls. However, in the subgroup ≥25 years old (176 cases versus 358 controls of ∼33.5 years), the cases had significantly lower AMH concentrations than the controls (median [interquartile range]: 2.8 [1.4-4.7] versus 3.25 [1.7-5.5], P=0.046) and the proportion of cases with an AMH concentration <1ng/ml was significantly higher (17.6% versus 10.6%; odds ratio 1.80; 95% confidence interval 1.07-3.00, P=0.028). With regard to the subsequent pregnancy, AMH concentration was not correlated with either the conception delay or the miscarriage occurrence. However, increased age and number of previous miscarriages were significantly predictive of a subsequent miscarriage (P=0.046 and 0.03, respectively). An altered ovarian reserve is a possible determinant of unexplained REM. However, AMH blood concentration predicts neither the delay nor the outcome of a subsequent pregnancy.

Effect of multiple thrombophilic gene mutations on uterine artery blood flow in nonpregnant recurrent pregnancy loss patients: are we searching enough?

Objective: To investigate whether multiple thrombophilic mutations had a significant effect on uterine artery blood flow of nonpregnant recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) patients.Materials and methods: Among 71 RPL patients, FV Leiden (FV), prothrombin G20210A (PTGM) and MTHFR mutations, deficiency of protein S, protein C and antithrombin III (AT3), association of Val34Leu polymorphism of the FXIII (FXIII), 4G/5G polymorphism of plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), −455-G/A polymorphism of β-fibrinogen (fibrinogen), and HPA-1 a/b L33P polymorphism of GPIIIa (GPIIIa) genes were investigated. Doppler flow measurements of RPL patients and healthy controls were performed at mid-luteal phase.Results: Twenty-two patients who had no thrombophilic gene mutations were grouped as unexplained RPL. Also, while 25 patients had multiple mutations, 24 patients had single mutation. In the multiple mutation RPL group, the most frequent mutations were PAI (22%), MTHFR C677T (20%), MTHFR A1298C (19%), and fibrinogen (11%). Only in the multiple mutation RPL group, mean PI and dominant PI values were significantly higher than the control group.Conclusions: Our data showed negative effects of multiple thrombophilic gene mutations on uterine artery blood flow and clarified the different effects of single and multiple thrombophilic factors on uterine artery vasculature. It is concluded that investigating more thrombophilic mutations could ameliorate prognostic factors of RPL and interactions to improve uterine artery blood flow could bring benefit to obstetric outcome.

Association Between Thrombophilia Gene Polymorphisms and Recurrent Pregnancy Loss

Spontaneous miscarriage is reported in approximately 15% of the clinically recognized pregnancies. Several reports have showed an increased risk of miscarriage in patients with thrombophilia, but due to the heterogeneity of study design the role thrombophilic factors and the use of anticoagulant therapy in prevention of pregnancy loss is still unclear. The current study includes 55 patients for which we ran a screening of the most commonly inherited thrombophilia mutations (FVL, FII, MTHFR C677T/A1298, PAI 4G/5G mutations). We found that most of the patients (92.72%) associated mutation in at least 2 of the genes evaluated. Only a small number of patients (7.27%) had a single variant identified. We have found high prevalence of the studied variants in the pregnant patients that experience pregnancy loss, with risk allele frequencies increased from 2 to 11 times as compared to the general population. We consider that evaluation of the trombophilic variants should be indicated for patients with pregnancy loss in order to establish a possible cause for the miscarriage.

The Variable Clinical Expressivity of Factor V Leiden, but Not of Prothrombin G20210A, Correlates with the Extent of the APC Response to In Vivo Thrombin Formation

Background: The factor V Leiden mutation (FVL) and the prothrombin G20210A mutation (PRO) are the most frequent thrombophilic mutations among Caucasians. Both mutations show a highly variable expressivity, ranging from a lifelong asymptomatic course to severe venous thromboembolism (VTE). Recently, we have shown increased generation rates of thrombin and activated protein C (APC) in response to in vivo thrombin formation in asymptomatic FVL carriers (VTE-). In vivo thrombin formation was triggered by low-dose administration of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Aim of the present study was to extend this stress test approach to carriers of PRO and to FVL carriers with a history of VTE (VTE+).Methods: The study population consisted of 29 FVL carriers (thereof 25 heterozygotes: 13 VTE- and 12 VTE+) and 21 PRO carriers (thereof 19 heterozygotes: 12 VTE- and 7 VTE+). None of the subjects was under anticoagulant treatment at time of analysis. The control group consisted of 13 healthy volunteers tested negative for FVL and PRO. Blood samples were collected immediately before and during a period of 8 hours following injection of 15 µg/kg rFVIIa. Plasma levels of free thrombin and APC were quantified using oligonucleotide-based enzyme capture assays (OECAs). Prothrombin activation fragment 1+2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), and D-dimer were measured additionally.Results: Injections of rFVIIa were well-tolerated by all subjects and median D-dimer levels remained within the reference range in all groups. Compared with the controls, peak plasma levels of F1+2 and TAT were significantly higher after rFVIIa injection in FVL carriers (p=.009 and p=1.0∙10-4, respectively), and in PRO carriers (p=.045 and p=6.0·10-4, respectively), but they did not differ between the FVL and PRO cohorts, and between the VTE+ and VTE- subgroups. Median plasma concentrations of thrombin were below the limit of detection at baseline, and rFVIIa did not induce statistically significant changes of thrombin levels in any group. APC increased to peak levels 30 minutes after rFVIIa injection, from 0.63 (0.54-1.16) to 3.14 (2.55-3.55) pmol/L (p=.017) in the controls, and from 1.39 (1.14-1.86) to 7.86 (5.55-11.55) pmol/L (p<1.0∙10-4) in the FVL group. In PRO carriers, plasma levels of APC increased from 1.07 (0.86-1.23) pmol/L at baseline to a peak of 5.86 (4.44-6.41) pmol/L 1 hour after rFVIIa injection p=4.0·10-4). Peak plasma levels of APC were higher in both FVL carriers and PRO carriers in comparison to the controls (p<1.0∙10-4 and p=4.0∙10-4, respectively), and lower in PRO carriers compared with those in FVL carriers (p=.003). With peak levels of 8.11 (7.59-11.77) vs. 5.62 (4.94-6.49) pmol/L, APC was significantly higher in the VTE- subgroup than in the VTE+ subgroup (p=.004) in heterozygous FVL carriers, while in heterozygous PRO carriers, APC peak levels did not differ between the VTE- subgroup and the VTE+ subgroup (Figure 1).Conclusion: The APC response to in vivo thrombin formation is significantly lower in symptomatic than in asymptomatic FVL carriers, implying that higher APC levels protect FVL carriers from thrombosis development. This hypothesized effect appears to be specific for FVL as prothrombin G20210A carriers do not show differences in the APC response related to VTE history. Further studies are warranted to identify the factors that modulate the APC response in FVL carriers. [Display omitted] DisclosuresRühl:Swedish Orphan Biovitrum: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sanofi Genzyme: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; Grifols: Research Funding; CSL-Behring: Research Funding. Berens:Pfizer: Research Funding; Sanofi Genzyme: Research Funding; Shire: Research Funding; CSL-Behring: Research Funding; Biotest: Research Funding. Winterhagen:Swedish Orphan Biovitrum: Consultancy, Research Funding. Müller:Swedish Orphan Biovitrum: Consultancy, Research Funding. Oldenburg:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Octapharma: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria; Grifols: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL-Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Chugai: Consultancy, Honoraria; Biotest: Consultancy, Honoraria; Biogen Idec: Consultancy, Honoraria; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Shire: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Swedish Orphan Biovitrum: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Placenta-mediated pregnancy complications are not associated with fetal or paternal factor V Leiden mutation

ObjectiveMaternal thrombophilia is a risk factor for adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of this study was to elucidate the controversial role of fetal and paternal thrombophilia in the development of severe placenta-mediated pregnancy complications. Study DesignThe study group comprised 126 mothers, 72 fetuses and 58 fathers. 111 mothers, 50 fetuses and 91 fathers acted as controls. 106 couples were selected to study the thrombophilias of paternal inheritance, 58 from the study group and 48 from the control group. The prevalence of factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin G20210 A mutation and homozygous 10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase C677 T mutations were compared between the study and control groups to study whether maternal, fetal or paternal thrombophilias increase the risk of severe preeclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction, placental abruption and stillbirth. ResultsThe total prevalence of fetal thrombophilic mutations was 8.3% in the study group and 14.0% in the control group. Paternal prevalence of thrombophilic mutations was 6.8% and 4.3%, respectively. There were no statistical differences between fetal or paternal thrombophilic mutations between the study and control groups. ConclusionFetal or paternal factor V Leiden mutation is not associated with severe placenta-mediated pregnancy complications.

Frequency and characteristics associated with inherited thrombophilia in patients with intracranial dural arteriovenous fistula.

The pathogenesis of dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) remains poorly defined. Prior studies on thrombophilia as a risk factor for DAVF development are limited by small sample sizes and poor generalizability. In this longitudinal observational study, all patients with intracranial DAVFs evaluated at the University of California, San Francisco from December 1994 through April 2014 were identified. After obtaining patient consent, 3 thrombophilic mutations, factor V Leiden (rs6025), MTHFR (rs1801133), and prothrombin G20210A, were genotyped. The authors evaluated the association of thrombophilia status (presence of any thrombophilic mutation) and clinical and angiographic characteristics using either a 2-sample t-test or Fisher's exact test. A total of 116 patients with diagnosed intracranial DAVFs were included in the study. Twenty-five (22%) patients met criteria for thrombophilia. Focal neurological deficits tended to occur more frequently in the thrombophilia group (78% vs 57%, p = 0.09). Angiographic characteristics of DAVFs, including high-risk venous flow pattern, multiplicity of DAVF, and the presence of venous sinus thrombosis, did not differ significantly between the 2 groups but tended to be more common in the thrombophilic than in the nonthrombophilic group. This study is one of the largest of thrombophilia and DAVF to date. The frequency of mutations associated with thrombophilia in this study was higher than that in the general population.

Recurrent Implantation Failure and Low Molecular Weight Heparin

Implantation of the embryo into the endometrium is the first step in the establishment of pregnancy. This process is complex, and depends on many factors. Recurrent implantation failure is a source of distress to patients and specialists. It is defined as failure to achieve a viable pregnancy, following “>3 embryo transfers with high quality embryos or the transfer of ≥ 10 embryos in multiple transfers”. Thrombophilic conditions that contribute to recurrent implantation failure are the main concern in this review. The mechanism of implantation failure is believed to be due to decreased blood flow to the endometrium and placenta which can hinder normal endometrial receptivity leading to miscarriage. Defects in early placentation resulting in pregnancy failure, have focused attention on the therapeutic potential of low molecular weight heparin in the implantation process. Heparin has a role at all stages of implantation to improve pregnancy outcomes. There are controversies in literature regarding the association between thrombophilia and recurrent implantation failure and available literature regarding this issue is very heterogeneous. Various investigators, have shown that women with RIF are more likely to have a thrombophilia disorder, yet a clear cause cannot be acknowledged from these studies. Heparin treatment has been evaluated in several studies, showing conflicting evidence. However, several studies have pointed out that it may play a role in a subset of patients who presents a thrombophilia mutation, thus the group of patients that might benefit is needed to be identified. This review is dedicated to evaluate the published literature about the role of low molecular weight heparin in case of recurrent implantation failure with or without the presence of thrombophilia.

Inherited thrombophilia and thromboprophylaxis: a retrospective analysis of pregnancy outcomes in 106 patients

Objective: Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) and low-dose aspirin (LDA) given in combination were evaluated in females with five commonly inherited thrombophilia polymorphisms to address unexplained recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL). Materials and Methods: After excluding other causes of RPL, 106 of 183 females suffering RPL and diagnosed with inherited thrombophilia were studied along with 62 healthy, age-matched control subjects carrying one or more pregnancies successfully (no gestational complications or abortion). Test patients were given a combination of LMWH and LDA. All participants were screened for five thrombophilic mutations: factor V Leiden G1691A, prothrombin (FII) A20210G, PAI-1 4G/5G insertion/deletion, and two methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) polymorphisms (C677T and A1298C). Results: With thromboprophylaxis, 73 of 84 (86.9%) pregnancies succeeded, representing a significant increase in the rate of live births (vs. 232 prior losses). Of the five test panel mutations, three or more (homozygous and/or heterozygous) were observed in 48 test patients (45.3%), whereas only three control subjects (4.8%) were similarly affected (p vs. controls), with PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR (C677T and A1298C) identified via binary logistic regression as independent correlates of habitual abortion. Conclusion: The risk of RPL increases with three or more homozygous or heterozygous genotypes in inherited thrombophilia, especially with PAI-1 4G/5G and MTHFR (C677T and A1298C). As in acquired thrombophilia, LMWH/LDA combination treatment may increase live birth rates in patients with inherited thrombophilia.

Factor V Leiden is associated with increased sperm count.

Is the thrombophilia mutation factor V Leiden (FVL) associated with an increased total sperm count? Carriers of FVL have a higher total sperm count than non-FVL-carriers, which could not be explained by genetic linkage or by observations in a FVL-mouse model. FVL has a high prevalence in Caucasians despite detrimental health effects. Carriers have been shown to have higher fecundity, which might partly explain this evolutionary paradox. We determined FVL status in two cohorts (Dutch, n = 627; Danish, n = 854) of consecutively included men without known causes for spermatogenic failure, and performed an individual patient data meta-analysis of these two cohorts together with one previously published (Dutch, n = 908) cohort. We explored possible biological underpinnings for the relation between sperm count and FVL, by use of a FVL-mouse model and investigations of genetic linkage. Participants were male partners of subfertile couples (two Dutch cohorts) and young men from the general population (Danish cohort): FVL carrier rate was 4.0%, 4.6% and 7.3%, respectively. There were differences in smoking, abstinence time and age between the cohorts. We corrected for these in the primary analysis, which consisted of a mixed linear effects model, also incorporating unobjectified population differences. In public haplotype data from subjects of European descent, we explored linkage disequilibrium of FVL with all known single nucleotide polymorphisms in a 1.5 MB region around the F5 gene with an R2 cutoff of 0.8. We sequenced exons of four candidate genes hypothesized to be linked to FVL in a subgroup of FVL carriers with extreme sperm count values. The animal studies consisted of never mated 15-18-week-old C57BL/J6 mice heterozygous and homozygous for FVL and wild-type mice. We compared spermatogenesis parameters (normalized internal genitalia weights, epididymis sperm content and sperm motility) between FVL and wild-type mice. Human FVL carriers have a higher total sperm count than non-carriers, with an adjusted mean difference of 31 × 106 (95%CI 0.2-61.7; P = 0.048). Mice with the FVL mutation do not have increased spermatogenesis as compared to wildtype mice. None of the studied polymorphisms was in linkage disequilibrium, either in the public databases or in a subgroup of FVL carriers with extremely high sperm counts. The difference in total sperm count would benefit from confirmation in other cohorts. The finding of higher count in carriers was consistent however, with no heterogeneity between the cohorts. The lack of effect of murine FVL might suggest there is no direct causality. The exploratory efforts on genetic linkage do not rule out that the association is a reflection of FVL co-inheritance with a non-studied causative polymorphism. A high sperm count in FVL-carrying males contributes to understanding the high prevalence of this otherwise disadvantageous mutation. The findings might provide directions for future research on male fertility. No conflicts of interest. Research was conducted with funding from the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO, VIDI innovative research grant 016.126.364 awarded to S. Middeldorp). The Danish cohort was supported by the Innovation Fund Denmark (InnovationsFonden, grant no. 14-2013-4), The Danish Ministry of Health and the Danish Environmental Protection Agency. Not applicable.

EP16.18: Pregnancy association of abnormal Doppler indices with inherited thrombophilia

Thrombophilia reflects a hypercoagulable condition with an increased thrombogenic potential during pregnancy. The most frequent causes of inherited thrombophilia are the factor V Leiden mutation and the prothrombin gene mutation. Repetitively, it has been hypothesised that thrombophilic mutations associate an increased risk of thrombosis at the low flow maternal-placental interface resulting in placenta-mediated complications, such as miscarriage, fetal loss, pre-eclampsia, fetal growth impairment, and abruption. Our prospective study aimed to determine the impact of thrombophilic mutations on second and third trimester umbilical and uterine artery Doppler parameters. Four hundred and forty-eight pregnant women were tested for the presence of factor V Leiden mutation, prothrombin gene mutation and also for a series of minor thrombophilic mutations. Each patient included in the study has been examined by ultrasound corresponding to its gestational age with the measurement of umbilical and uterine artery velocity. The measured parameters (pulsatility index and resistivity index) were interpreted consistent with gestational age nomograms. The incidence of factor V Leiden mutation was 10.4% in the studied group and the incidence of the prothrombin gene mutation was 4.46%; 11 cases (2.4%) expressed both major mutation. In 6.6% of cases corresponding to second trimester pregnancies with factor V Leiden mutation an increased pulsatility index of umbilical artery was found and 11% of these cases had a high pulsatility index of the uterine artery. For the cases with both major thrombophilic mutations present, Doppler parameters were increased in 4 from 6 cases. Even if inherited thrombophilia is not considered a major risk factor for most adverse pregnancy outcomes, Doppler assessment of fetal status is imperative for high-risk population. In our study, the impact of thrombophilia on Doppler indices was modest and limited to major mutations.

Associations between Maternal and Fetal Inherited Thrombophilias, Placental Characteristics Associated with Vascular Malperfusion, and Fetal Growth.

Pregnancy results in alterations in coagulation processes, which may increase the risk of thrombosis. Inherited thrombophilia mutations may further increase this risk, possibly through alterations in the placenta, which may result in pregnancy complications such as poor fetal growth. The purpose of our study is to evaluate the association of fetal growth, approximated by birth weight for gestational age percentile, with genetic markers of thrombophilia and placental characteristics related to vascular malperfusion. We analyzed data from the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network's population-based case–control study conducted in 2006–2008. Study recruitment occurred in five states: Rhode Island and counties in Massachusetts, Georgia, Texas, and Utah. The analysis was restricted to singleton, nonanomalous live births ≤42 weeks' gestation with a complete placental examination and successful testing for ≥1 thrombophilia marker (858 mothers, 902 infants). Data were weighted to account for oversampling, differential consent, and availability of placental examination. We evaluated five thrombophilia markers: factor V Leiden, factor II prothrombin, methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase A1298C and C677T, and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 in both maternal blood and placenta/cord blood. We modeled maternal and fetal thrombophilia markers separately using linear regression. Maternal factor V Leiden mutation was associated with a 13.16-point decrease in adjusted birth weight percentile (95% confidence interval: −25.50, −0.82). Adjustment for placental abnormalities related to vascular malperfusion did not affect the observed association. No other maternal or fetal thrombophilia markers were significantly associated with birth weight percentile. Maternal factor V Leiden may be associated with fetal growth independent of placental characteristics.

Thrombophilic Status of Extracted Fetal Tissues of Spontaneously Aborted Embroys

Objective : The reports about Factor V (FV) Leiden, Factor II (FII) G20210A and Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene mutations of parents and fetal viability are frequently encountered in the literature, despite the fetal side of thrombophilia is scant. To clarify the three common thrombophilic gene mutations of the spontaneously aborted embryos, an accurate algorithm was followed to extract the fetal tissues and then the mutations were searched. Material and Methods : 70 spontaneous abortion materials were included to the study and all were karyotyped. Cytogenetically abnormals were excluded from the study. To extract the fetal tissues, amplifications of sex determination region of chromosome-Y (SRY) gene and genotypings were performed, respectively. Extracted fetal tissues of spontaneous aborted embroys and parents were screened for the thrombophilic gene mutations via electronic microarray. Results: After excluding chromosomally abnormal and maternally contaminated ones totally ten fetal tissues were screened for the FII G20210A, FV Leiden and MTHFR C677T gene mutations, and two carry F II G20210A and F Leiden heterozygote mutations, and six carry heterozygote forms of MTHFR C677T. Conclusion : The present study performed on the limited number of abortion materials, has a value for distinguishing the fetal tissues before analyzing the three common mutation of thrombophilic genes which make the results are very substantial.

Thrombophilic Mutations Among Patients with Sickle Cell Disease.

Factor V-Leiden (FVL), Prothrombin (PRT) G20210A, and Methylene Tetrahydro Folate Reductase (MTHFR) C677T and A1298C mutations are major inherited risk factors of thrombotic complications. Our aim in this study was to investigate the prevalence of these mutations among Tunisian sickle cell patients. Study subjects comprised 64 patients and 100 healthy controls. FVL, PRT G20210A, and MTHFR genotypes were determined using a reverse dot blot based method. In the patient population studied, the prevalence of FV Leiden was not statistically different from controls while a significant prevalence of heterozygous PRT G20210A mutation among patients (10.93%) was found. An increased frequency of the MTHFR 677 C>T genotype was seen among patients as well as controls. The results showed no significant association between the MTHFR A1298C mutation and sickle cell disease (SCD). However, the prevalence of carrier among studied patients was 15.62% compared to 7% among healthy subjects. In conclusion, our data suggest a significant association between PRT G20210A and MTHFR C677T and sickle cell disease among Tunisian patients.

Prevalence of thrombophilic mutations in male patients with peripheral arterial disease

Prevalence of thrombophilic mutations in male patients with peripheral arterial disease

Candidate markers for thromboembolic complications in adult Egyptian patients with β-thalassemia

Background Increased risk for thromboembolic complications in patients with thalassemia major has been attributed to the chronic hypercoagulable state. However, the underlying mechanisms are multifactorial. Objectives To investigate the candidate markers of possible tendency to thrombophilia in adult patients with thalassemia major. Methods Genetic polymorphisms of prothrombotic factors have been analyzed in 30 splenectomized patients (group I) and 30 nonsplenectomized patients (group II) as well as 30 age matched and sex matched healthy controls. In addition to routine hematological and coagulation parameters, estimation of protein C and protein S free antigen, antithrombin III activity, factor VIII, and factor IX levels was done. Plasma soluble endothelial protein C receptor levels were measured by ELISA, and factor V Leiden1691G-A, factor II polymorphism (G20210A), and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation (C677T) were detected by real-time PCR. Results A significant increase of soluble endothelial protein C receptor was observed in patients (in group I more than group II), whereas protein C and protein S were significantly reduced together with more frequent congenital thrombophilic mutations. Conclusion With the prolonged life expectancy of patients with β-thalassemia, more caution should be considered toward thromboembolic complications. Thus, after the first thrombotic event or even when they are exposed to thrombotic risk factors, they should be investigated for congenital thrombophilia, and prophylactic antithrombotic agents may be recommended.

Common Prothrombotic Gene Mutations in Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis in North-West of Iran

Objective: Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a life-threatening cerebrovascular disease which has high prevalence and mortality rate in Iran. Thrombophilia caused by gene mutation is a common cause of CVST. The present study aimed at assessing the prevalence of thrombophilic gene mutations in Iranian CVST patients and then comparing it with normal population. Materials and methods: In a case-control study, polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR_RFLP) and amplification-refractory mutation system (ARMS-PCR) were carried out to detect common thrombophilic mutations in 70 CVST patients. Next, it was compared with 82 sex- and age-matched healthy controls. Results: Factor-V-Leiden, Factor-V-Leiden HR2, Factor prothrombin II, MTHFR (667C/T) and MTHFR (1298A/C) prevalence were significantly high in cases of CVST as compared to the controls (P values: 0.012, 0.019, 0.007 and 0.036, respectively). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups in plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI), angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), beta-fibrinogen (FGB), Factor VIII, Factor XIII, and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) mutations. Conclusion: The findings of the present study suggest that Factor V-Leiden, Factor-V-Leiden HR2, prothrombin II (G20210A), and MTHFR (667C/T & 1298A/C) mutations are more frequent in CVST. Detection of these mutations may help clinicians to decide on the duration of treatment and referral to genetic counseling for valuable prevention.

Evaluation of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Treatment of Venous Thromboembolism for Inherited Thrombophilia Disorders

BackgroundVenous thromboembolism can be classified according to the presence of either environmental or genetic risk factors. Risk factors for thrombosis can include activated protein C resistance, and heritable including deficiencies of antithrombin, protein C or protein S. Factor V Leiden deficiency and prothrombin gene mutations are some of the more common thrombophilias, with a slight increased risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE). Current guidelines suggest the use of low-molecular weight heparins for secondary prophylaxis in patients with VTE. However, there is a lack of data on the use of Direct Oral Anticoagulant (DOACs) in patients with inherited thrombophilia. We evaluated our use of rivaroxaban in patients with thrombophilia disorders treated for secondary DVT prophylaxis.MethodWe performed a retrospective evaluation of patients in our institution with inherited thrombophilia with an active VTE diagnosis who received DOACs for secondary prophylaxis from November 2013 until April 2016. Data collected included patient demographics, inherited thrombophilia mutation, previous history of VTE, prior treatments, and efficacy and safety of anticoagulation with DOACs.ResultsWe had 13 patients with inherited thrombophilia mutation and 4 patients diagnosed with concomitant cancer (non-Hodgkin lymphoma, melanoma, and 2 with breast cancer) (Table 1). Out of 13 patients 3 failed warfarin, and one failed fondaparinux prior to switching to a DOAC. Mutation with heterozygous Factor V Leiden deficiency was reported in 7 patients, while mutations with Protein C and/or S deficiency were found in 4 patients. One patient had both Factor V Leiden and Protein C deficiency mutations. The prothrombin gene mutation was identified in one patient. The median of length of therapy was 2 years with 8/13 still on rivaroxaban in April 2016. The shortest treatment duration was 41 days for a patient who failed rivaroxaban with a second clot and was switched to apixaban without subsequent treatment failure. Two patients experienced 4 non-major episodes of gastrointestinal bleeding, nose bleeding and dark stool. One patient developed rash with noted bruising during their rivaroxaban therapy.Conclusion:This is the first report on outcomes for secondary DVT prophylaxis with DOACs in patients with underlying thrombophilia mutations. Safety and efficacy of DOACs for secondary VTE prophylaxis yielded favorable results; however, future prospective studies in the setting of thrombophilia are warranted. [Display omitted] DisclosuresMcBride:Sanofi: Research Funding.

Analysis of the genetic variants associated with recurrent thromboembolism in a patient with hemoglobin H disease following splenectomy: A case report.

Reports of recurrent thromboembolism in thalassemia, particularly in hemoglobin H (HbH) disease associated with congenital thrombophilic mutations, are scarce. However, several mutations were detected in a 22-year-old woman with HbH disease. The patient experienced the first thrombotic event at the age of 20 years and had four recurrent thromboses in a short time interval, despite receiving anticoagulant treatment. The present study reports a case with six nucleotide substitutions, including a missense 565C>T (Arg189Trp) mutation and two synonymous mutations, 66T>C (Pro22Pro) and 423G>T (Ser141Ser), identified in the protein C gene. The other three mutations, 947G>A (Arg316His), 981A>G (Val327Val), and 775C>A (rs13146272), were identified in the protein S, antithrombin and cytochrome P450, family 4, subfamily V, polypeptide 2 genes, respectively. These findings suggest that if thrombotic events repeatedly occur in a patient with thalassemia, not only the risk factors associated with a hypercoagulable state, but the acquired and congenital thrombophilia should be screened for.

The Frequency of Some Thrombophilic Mutations in Eastern Turkey.

Factor V / Factor II / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase, gene polymorphisms are closely associated with thrombophilia. Regional frequencies of these mutations may show a characteristic state. The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of commonly seen Factor V / Factor II / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms in Eastern Turkey. In 433 patients sent to the laboratory with the suspicion of thrombophilia, using whole blood samples, an automated Nucleic Acid Test was used for mutation determinations in Verigene System. The kit module was designed to detect the Factor V G1691A / Factor II G20210A / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene C677T single nucleotide polymorphisms. In 433 patients, 8.7% for Factor V G1691A polymorphisms were heterozygous genotype, 3.9% for Factor II G20210A polymorphisms were heterozygous genotype, and 43.9% for methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase 677C>T polymorphisms were heterozygous genotype and 3.0% homozygous mutation genotype. Detection of these commonly seen Factor V / Factor II / Methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase single nucleotide polymorphisms can help to identify patients in high risk group and to evaluate the interaction of genetic and acquired risk factors. Our findings suggest that commonly seen thrombophilic allele mutation frequency in our region is the same as the data reported in the literature.