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Background Cardiovascular deaths (CVDTs) are more frequent in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) than in the general population; however, risk factors associated with this increased risk of CVDT in patients with VTE are not described. Methods To determine the risk factors of CVDT in patients with VTE from a multicenter prospective cohort study, Fine and Gray subdistribution hazard models were conducted. Results Of the 3,988 included patients, 426 (10.7%) died of CVDT during a median follow-up of 5 years. The risk factors of CVDT after multivariate analyses were: age of 50 to 65 years (vs. 65 years (vs. 3 months). Conclusion Risk factors of CVDT after VTE include some traditional cardiovascular risk factors and other risk factors that are related to characteristics of VTE, and patients' comorbidities.

Background There is an increased risk of arterial events including major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and major adverse limb events (MALE) after venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, their risk factors remain little explored.Methods We aimed to determine the risk factors for MACE (acute coronary syndrome/stroke/cardiovascular death) and MALE (limb ischemia/critical limb ischemia/non-traumatic amputation/any limb revascularization) after VTE. Competing risk models (Fine-Gray) were used in a multicenter prospective cohort of 4,940 patients (mean age: 64.6 years and median follow-up: 64 months).Results MACE occurred in 17.3% of participants (2.35% per patient-years) and MALE in 1.7% (0.27% per patient-years). In multivariable analysis, the identified risk factors for MACE were the age of 50 to 65 years (vs. 65 years (vs. Conclusions Risk factors for MACE and MALE after VTE included some traditional cardiovascular risk factors, patient's comorbidities, and some characteristics of VTE.

The increased risk of arterial thrombotic (ATE) after VTE, particularly when they are unprovoked or cancer-associated has been established. However, the risk factors of ATE after these VTE remain unclear.Using cause-specific hazard regression models, we determined risk factors of ATE (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, acute limb ischemia, digestive tract ischemia, or renal ischemia) in 2242 patients with unprovoked VTE and in 914 patients with cancer-associated VTE from a multi-center prospective cohort.Of patients with unprovoked-VTE, 174 developed ATE (7.8%, incidence: 1.26 per 100 patient-years) during follow-up (median: 68 months). Among patients with cancer-associated VTE, 57 developed ATE (6.2%, incidence: 1.98 per 100 patient-years) during follow-up (median: 30 months). After multivariable analysis, the identified risk factors of ATE in patients with unprovoked-VTE were age 65 years (vs.50 years, HR 2.59, 95% CI: 1.56-4.29), past history of symptomatic atherosclerosis (HR 2.11, 95% CI: 1.40-3.19), and treatment with low molecule weight heparin (vs. vitamin K antagonists, HR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.13-4.52). In patients with cancer-associated VTE, the identified risk factors of ATE were: past history of symptomatic atherosclerosis (HR: 3.13, 95% CI: 1.72-5.67), and ongoing anticoagulation at the diagnosis of VTE (HR: 2.77, 95% CI: 1.07-7.22).The risk of ATE after unprovoked VTE and after cancer-associated VTE, is determined by some classic cardiovascular risk factors and appears to be influenced by anticoagulant treatment introduced for VTE, as well as the presence or absence of ongoing anticoagulation at the diagnosis of VTE.

To evaluate the diagnosis performances of halo and compression signs alone and combined, assessed by a high frequency 22-MHz probe, and test their agreement in giant cell arteritis (GCA).In this cross-sectional study on patients suspected with GCA, halo sign was defined as hypo or iso-echogenic circumferential aspect of the vessel wall in transverse or longitudinal view; and compression sign was defined as visibility of the vessel wall upon transducer-imposed compression of the artery. Agreement of the two signs was tested using the Cohen's kappa statistic.A total of 80 patients (50% women) were included with a mean age of 74.4 years. Twenty participants (25%) were ultimately treated for GCA. Halo and compression signs have respective prevalences of 35% and 48%, with respective sensitivity and specificity of 80% and 80% for the halo sign; and 85% and 65% for the compression sign. The kappa coefficient for the global agreement of the two signs was 0.67 (95% confident interval: 0.54-0.85). Combination of the two signs give a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 81.7%.Halo and compression signs assessed by a high frequency probe, show a good level of agreement for the diagnosis of GCA and improve ultrasound specificity when combined together.

International audience; Background: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is a life-threatening pulmonary embolism's (PE) complication whose incidence and predictors are not precisely determined.Objective: To determine the frequency and predictors for CTEPH after a first unprovoked PE.Patients/methods: In a randomized trial comparing an additional 18-month warfarin versus placebo in patients after a first unprovoked PE initially treated with vitamin K antagonist for 6 months, we applied recommended CTEPH screening strategies through 8-year follow-up to determine cumulative incidence of CTEPH. CTEPH predictors were estimated using Cox models. Pulmonary vascular obstruction (PVO) and systolic pulmonary arterial pressure (sPAP) at PE diagnosis and 6 months were studied by receiver operating curves analysis. All CTEPH cases and whether they were incident or prevalent were adjudicated.Results: During a median follow-up of 8.7 years, 9 CTEPH cases were diagnosed among 371 patients, with a cumulative incidence of 2.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.95-4.64), and of 1.31% (95%CI, 0.01-2.60) after exclusion of 5 cases adjudicated as prevalent. At PE diagnosis, PVO>45% and sPAP>56mmHg were associated with CTEPH with a hazard ratio (HR) of 33.00 (95%CI 1.64-667.00, p=0.02) and 12.50 (95%CI 2.10-74.80, p65 years, lupus anticoagulant antibodies and non-O blood groups were also predictive of CTEPH. PVO>14% and sPAP>34mmHg at 6-month were associated with CTEPH (HRs 63.90 [95%CI, 3.11-1310.00, p

Item does not contain fulltext BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality, and thromboprophylaxis is indicated in pregnant and post-partum women with a history of venous thromboembolism. The optimal dose of low-molecular-weight heparin to prevent recurrent venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and the post-partum period is uncertain. METHODS: In this open-label, randomised, controlled trial (Highlow), pregnant women with a history of venous thromboembolism were recruited from 70 hospitals in nine countries (the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Belgium, Norway, Denmark, Canada, the USA, and Russia). Women were eligible if they were aged 18 years or older with a history of objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism, and with a gestational age of 14 weeks or less. Eligible women were randomly assigned (1:1), before 14 weeks of gestational age, using a web-based system and permuted block randomisation (block size of six), stratified by centre, to either weight-adjusted intermediate-dose or fixed low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin subcutaneously once daily until 6 weeks post partum. The primary efficacy outcome was objectively confirmed venous thromboembolism (ie, deep-vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or unusual site venous thrombosis), as determined by an independent central adjudication committee, in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (ie, all women randomly assigned to treatment). The primary safety outcome was major bleeding which included antepartum, early post-partum (within 24 h after delivery), and late post-partum major bleeding (24 h or longer after delivery until 6 weeks post partum), assessed in all women who received at least one dose of assigned treatment and had a known end of treatment date. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01828697, and is now complete. FINDINGS: Between April 24, 2013, and Oct 31, 2020, 1339 pregnant women were screened for eligibility, of whom 1110 were randomly assigned to weight-adjusted intermediate-dose (n=555) or fixed low-dose (n=555) low-molecular-weight heparin (ITT population). Venous thromboembolism occurred in 11 (2%) of 555 women in the weight-adjusted intermediate-dose group and in 16 (3%) of 555 in the fixed low-dose group (relative risk [RR] 0·69 [95% CI 0·32-1·47]; p=0·33). Venous thromboembolism occurred antepartum in five (1%) women in the intermediate-dose group and in five (1%) women in the low-dose group, and post partum in six (1%) women and 11 (2%) women. On-treatment major bleeding in the safety population (N=1045) occurred in 23 (4%) of 520 women in the intermediate-dose group and in 20 (4%) of 525 in the low-dose group (RR 1·16 [95% CI 0·65-2·09]). INTERPRETATION: In women with a history of venous thromboembolism, weight-adjusted intermediate-dose low-molecular-weight heparin during the combined antepartum and post-partum periods was not associated with a lower risk of recurrence than fixed low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin. These results indicate that low-dose low-molecular-weight heparin for thromboprophylaxis during pregnancy is the appropriate dose for the prevention of pregnancy-related recurrent venous thromboembolism. FUNDING: French Ministry of Health, Health Research Board Ireland, GSK/Aspen, and Pfizer.

After first episodes of venous thromboembolism (VTE), patients are at increased risk of recurrent VTE and arterial thrombotic events (ATE) compared with the general population, two disorders that are influenced by anticoagulation. However, risk factors of these conditions occurring during and after anticoagulation are little described. Using cause-specific hazard regression models, we aimed to determine risk factors of the composite outcome recurrent VTE/ATE, and separately recurrent VTE or ATE, during and after anticoagulation in patients with first episodes of VTE from a prospective cohort. Hazard ratios (HRs) are given with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A total of 2,011 patients treated for at least 3 months were included. A total of 647 patients had recurrent VTE/ATE (incidence: 4.69% per patient-years) during overall follow-up (median: 92 months). Of these events, 173 occurred during anticoagulation (incidence: 3.67% per patient-years). Among patients free of events at the end of anticoagulation, 801 had a post-anticoagulation follow-up ≥3 months; and 95 had recurrent VTE/ATE (incidence: 1.27% per patient-years). After adjustment for confounders, cancer-associated VTE (HR: 2.64, 95% CI: 1.70–4.11) and unprovoked VTE (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.35–2.81) were the identified risk factors of recurrent VTE/ATE during anticoagulation (vs. transient risk factor–related VTE). Risk factors of recurrent VTE/ATE after anticoagulation included 50 to 65 years of age (vs.

Background Recent literature hypothesized that patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are at increased risk of developing arterial ischemic events than general population without VTE. However, data summarizing the epidemiology of arterial events among VTE population compared to the general population are lacking. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis from current literature. PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases were searched between Jan 1, 2000, and December 31, 2020. Eligible studies were observational cohort studies published in English on arterial ischemic events in patients with VTE. Pooled effect size estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were obtained through random-effect models meta-analysis. Results Twenty-eight observational studies enrolling 352,014 patients were identified and included. The pooled frequency of all arterial events was 6.1% (95% CI: 3.7–9.1) in patients with VTE and was significantly higher than the pooled frequency of 5.0% (95% CI: 3.1–7.2) found in controls, with a pooled risk ratio (RR) of 1.20 (95% CI: 1.01–1.44; p = 0.0422). The pooled incidence of all arterial events in patients with VTE was 11.3‰ per patient-year (95% CI: 4.6–18.0), and was significantly higher than the 9.2‰ per patient-year (95% CI: 2.0–16.4) obtained in controls (Incidence rate ratio, IRR: 1.32; 95% CI: 1.08–1.61; p = 0.0103). The pooled frequency and pooled incidence of arterial events were also higher in patients with unprovoked VTE than in patients with provoked VTE (RR: 2.12; 95% CI: 1.38–3.24; p = 0.0042; and IRR: 2.26, 95% CI: 1.45–3.49; p = 0.0032). Conclusion The frequency and incidence of arterial events in patients with VTE are considerably higher than in the general population, without VTE. Further studies are urgently needed to understand these differences and reduce the burden related to these diseases. Funding None.

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.

It was recently established that patients who developed VTE are at increased risk of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) compared with the general population. However, whether the anticoagulation used for VTE influences the risk of MACE remains undescribed.Does the anticoagulant treatment for VTE affect the risk of subsequent MACE?This study included patients from a large prospective cohort who received only one family of anticoagulant treatment after the acute phase of VTE, including vitamin K antagonist (VKAs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). MACE included nonfatal acute coronary syndrome, nonfatal stroke, and all-cause death. The secondary outcome, MACE-2, included cardiovascular death instead of all-cause death. Cox proportional and Fine-Gray models served to study the relationship between anticoagulation characteristics and the risk of outcomes.A total of 3,790 patients (47.2% male; mean age, 60.48 years) were included. A total of 1,228 patients (32.4%) were treated for 0 to 3 months (median in overall population, 6 months). Compared with these patients, those treated for 3 to 12 months (hazard ratio [HR], 0.64; 95% CI, 0.54-0.76) or12 months (HR, 0.47, 95% CI, 0.39-0.56) had a significant reduced risk of MACE following adjustment for confounders. Findings were similar for MACE-2 (sub-HR for 3-12 months, 0.61 [95% CI, 0.47-0.79]; sub-HR12 months, 0.52 [95% CI, 0.39-0.68]). After adjustment for confounders, there was a reduced risk of MACE (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.39-0.71) and MACE-2 (sub-HR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.29-0.77) in patients treated with DOACs (vs VKAs).Treatment of VTE for3 months is associated with a reduced risk of MACE, as is treatment with DOACs vs VKAs. These findings, which may influence the choice of anticoagulation strategies for VTE, need confirmation by randomized clinical trials.

Many studies from current literature show that cardiovascular diseases in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are more frequent than in the general population without VTE. However, data summarizing the impact of cardiovascular diseases on mortality of patients with VTE are lacking. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the frequency and incidence rate of cardiovascular death in patients with VTE. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched from January 1, 2000 to February 28, 2021. Eligible studies were observational prospective cohort studies including patients with VTE and reporting all causes of death. Cardiovascular death was defined as deaths that result from new or recurrent pulmonary embolism, death due to acute myocardial infarction, sudden cardiac death or heart failure, death due to stroke, death due to cardiovascular procedures or hemorrhage, death due to ruptured aortic aneurysm or aortic dissection and death due to other cardiovascular causes. Random-effect models meta-analysis served to determine all pooled effect size of interest with their 95% confidence interval (CI). Thirteen observational studies enrolling 22,251 patients were identified and included. The mean/median age varied between 49 and 75 years. The proportion of men ranged from 38.3 to 53.2%. The overall pooled frequency of cardiovascular death in patients with VTE was 3.9% (95% CI: 2.5–5.6%), while the overall pooled frequency of all-cause mortality was 12.0% (95% CI: 9.1–15.4%). The pooled proportion of cardiovascular death among all causes of deaths in patients with VTE was 35.2% (95% CI: 22.2–49.3%). The pooled incidence rate of cardiovascular death was 1.92 per 100 patient-years (95% CI: 0–4.1). The frequency of cardiovascular death in patients with VTE was significantly higher than in patients without VTE (risk ratio: 3.85, 95% CI: 2.75–5.39). Based on this updated meta-analysis from 13 prospective cohort studies, cardiovascular death in patients with VTE is more frequent than in the general population without VTE.

Background If recent studies suggested that arterial ischemic events in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) are more frequent than in the general population without VTE, whether patients with VTE have different risk factors of arterial events than classic known cardiovascular risk factors remain undefined. Through this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to identify risk factors of arterial ischemic events in patients with VTE. Methods We searched PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases to identify cohort studies published between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2020, reporting risk factors of arterials ischemic events in patients with VTE. Random-effect models meta-analysis served to get the pooled hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each risk factor identified. Results We screened 1,467 records of which 18 were finally included in systematic review and 10 in meta-analyses. Adjusted HR for 9 factors were included in meta-analysis. Male gender (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.28–1.49), diabetes (HR: 1.65; 95% CI: 1.28–2.12), hypertension (HR: 1.38; 95% CI: 1.04–1.84), previous atherothrombotic event (HR: 3.22; 95% CI: 1.12–9.23), chronic kidney disease (HR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.05–1.88), cancer (HR: 1.72; 95% CI: 1.41–2.09), and unprovoked VTE (HR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.37–2.57) were the identified risk factors of arterial events in VTE population after meta-analysis. Conclusion Risk factors of arterial events in patients with VTE include usual cardiovascular risk factors and other risk factors that are related to VTE such as cancer and unprovoked VTE.

We describe a possible systemic vasculitis involving electively large veins. The patient presented with severe febrile lower limb pain. Diagnosis was made by color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) and confirmed by anatomopathological examination of the long saphenous vein, but not by examination of the temporal artery which was normal. CDU found a unilateral halo sign of one temporal artery and a major wall swelling of the lower limb proximal deep veins. The etiology of this possible vasculitis is still unknown. It could be an unusual clinical presentation of giant cell arteritis with vein involvement but without proven arterial involvement. To confirm this hypothesis, it would be interesting to look systematically for lower limb vein thickening with CDU in patients newly diagnosed with giant cell arteritis who have lower limb pain.

International audience; The diagnostic modalities for giant cell arteritis (GCA) have evolved significantly in recent years. Among the different diagnostic tools developed, Doppler ultrasound of the temporal arteries, with a sensitivity and specificity reaching 69% and 82%, respectively, is now recognized as superior and, therefore, is a first-line diagnostic tool in GCA. Moreover, with the increasing development of new ultrasound technologies, the accuracy of Doppler ultrasound in GCA seems to be constantly improving. In this article, we describe in detail the scanning technique to perform while realizing Doppler ultrasound of temporal arteries to assess GCA, as well as the diagnostic performance of this tool according to current literature.

Background: Characterisation of arterial Doppler waveforms is a persistent problem and a source of confusion in clinical practice. Classifications have been proposed to address the problem but their efficacy in clinical practice is unknown. The aim of the present study was to compare the efficacy of the categorisation rate of Descotes and Cathignol, Spronk et al. and the simplified Saint-Bonnet classifications. Methods: This is a multicentre prospective study where 130 patients attending a vascular arterial ultrasound were enrolled and Doppler waveform acquisition was performed at the common femoral, the popliteal, and the distal arteries at both sides. Experienced vascular specialists categorized these waveforms according to the three classifications. Results: of 1033 Doppler waveforms, 793 (76.8%), 943 (91.3%) and 1014 (98.2%) waveforms could be categorized using Descotes and Cathignol, Spronk et al. and the simplified Saint-Bonnet classifications, respectively. Differences in categorisation between classifications were significant (Chi squared test, p &lt, 0.0001). Of 19 waveforms uncategorized using the simplified Saint-Bonnet classification, 58% and 84% were not categorized using the Spronk et al. and Descotes and Cathignol classifications, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the present study suggest that the simplified Saint-Bonnet classification provides a superior categorisation rate when compared with Spronk et al. and Descotes and Cathignol classifications.

IMPORTANCE: The prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and acutely worsening respiratory symptoms remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with COPD admitted to the hospital for acutely worsening respiratory symptoms. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Multicenter cross-sectional study with prospective follow-up conducted in 7 French hospitals. A predefined pulmonary embolism diagnostic algorithm based on Geneva score, D-dimer levels, and spiral computed tomographic pulmonary angiography plus leg compression ultrasound was applied within 48 hours of admission; all patients had 3-month follow-up. Patients were recruited from January 2014 to May 2017 and the final date of follow-up was August 22, 2017. EXPOSURES: Acutely worsening respiratory symptoms in patients with COPD. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was pulmonary embolism diagnosed within 48 hours of admission. Key secondary outcome was pulmonary embolism during a 3-month follow-up among patients deemed not to have venous thromboembolism at admission and who did not receive anticoagulant treatment. Other outcomes were venous thromboembolism (pulmonary embolism and/or deep vein thrombosis) at admission and during follow-up, and 3-month mortality, whether venous thromboembolism was clinically suspected or not. RESULTS: Among 740 included patients (mean age, 68.2 years [SD, 10.9 years]; 274 women [37.0%]), pulmonary embolism was confirmed within 48 hours of admission in 44 patients (5.9%; 95% CI, 4.5%-7.9%). Among the 670 patients deemed not to have venous thromboembolism at admission and who did not receive anticoagulation, pulmonary embolism occurred in 5 patients (0.7%; 95% CI, 0.3%-1.7%) during follow-up, including 3 deaths related to pulmonary embolism. The overall 3-month mortality rate was 6.8% (50 of 740; 95% CI, 5.2%-8.8%). The proportion of patients who died during follow-up was higher among those with venous thromboembolism at admission than the proportion of those without it at admission (14 [25.9%] of 54 patients vs 36 [5.2%] of 686; risk difference, 20.7%, 95% CI, 10.7%-33.8%; P

International audience

Introduction Oral administration of pilocarpine enhances salivary flow in sicca patients but its effect upstream on ultrasound (US) of salivary glands (SG) and downstream on periodontium remain unknown. Methods Sicca patients were prospectively included. Echostructural and vascularization of SG were assessed using B mode and pulsed Doppler (USPD). Vascularization of SG was measured using resistive index (RI) before and after stimulation by lemon juice. Echostructure (measure of glandular length in cm2, evaluation of parotid and submandibular glands parenchymal abnormalities) was assessed at baseline (M0) and after 3 months (M3) of treatment with pilocarpine. A dental consultation was performed at M0 and M3 to evaluate changes in unstimulated salivary flow (USSF), stimulated salivary flow (SSF), and periodontal parameters such as modified gingival index (Lobene), plaque index (Silness), bleeding index, pocket depth, and pH. Results Nineteen patients were included but only 11 received pilocarpine treatment for 3 months, as six stopped pilocarpine due to side effects and two were excluded for other causes. Among the 11 patients who completed the 3-month follow-up, five had primary Sjögren’s syndrome according to the American-European’s classification criteria. As expected, statistical differences were found concerning SSF (p = 0.018) and USSF (p = 0.027) between M0 and M3 while no statistical change in both SG echostructure and vascularization or periodontal evaluation was shown. Conclusions Pilocarpine improved SSF and USSF measurements in sicca syndrome but no ultrasonography of major salivary glands (SGUS) structural and vascular changes were detected as well as periodontal evaluation. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40744-020-00263-y.

Resume Les modalites diagnostiques de l’arterite a cellules geantes (ACG-ex maladie de Horton) ont beaucoup evolue au cours de ces dernieres annees. Toutefois, la biopsie de l’artere temporale (BAT), malgre sa sensibilite moderee, garde une place de choix dans le diagnostic des formes cephaliques. Nous decrivons dans cet article la technique de realisation de la BAT ainsi que les performances diagnostiques de cet examen.

Resume Objectifs Detecter des anomalies infracliniques des entheses et des ongles par echographie en echelle de gris ( mode B) et en mode Doppler puissance (DP) en comparant des patients presentant soit un psoriasis ungueal, soit un psoriasis inverse et du cuir chevelu. Methodes Cette etude prospective monocentrique a inclus des patients atteints de psoriasis ungueal, inverse ou du cuir chevelu ne presentant pas de rhumatisme psoriasique ou ne recevant pas de traitement systemique. Une evaluation clinique et echographique de 14 entheses et de 12 ongles a ete realisee par un dermatologue (evaluation clinique) et un rhumatologue (echographie). Resultats Cinq cent dix-huit entheses ont ete analysees sans qu’aucune difference statistique ne soit observee entre les deux groupes pour l’enthesopathie en echelle de gris (p = 0,66). Le signal DP des entheses etait faible ( Conclusion La detection d’enthesopathie infraclinique par echographie est relativement courante dans les deux groupes, contrairement a la detection d’enthesites en mode DP, mais sans que la difference soit statistiquement significative. L’echographie est un outil efficace pour evaluer les composantes de l’ongle psoriasique (perte de la structure trilaminaire, epaississement de l’ongle et inflammation) significativement associees au psoriasis ungueal.

Abstract. Peripheral artery disease of the lower limbs (PAD) is a common disease. Evaluation of PAD is primarily based on non-invasive examinations with analysis of the arterial Doppler signal being a key element. However, the description of arterial Doppler waveforms morphologies varies considerably across medical schools and from country to country. In order to overcome this issue, the French College of Teachers for Vascular Medicine (Collège des Enseignants de Médecine Vasculaire; CEMV) has summarised the published data on Doppler waveforms analysis and proposes a new “Saint-Bonnet” classification system to describe Doppler waveforms morphologies. The simplified Saint-Bonnet classification comprises eight types and allows taking into account if the Doppler signal does not revert to baseline. This classification, which is based on previous classifications, could improve the descriptions of both physiological and pathological waveforms, recorded in lower limb arteries. According to the reviewed literature, recommendations about the use of Doppler waveforms are proposed. This statement is a preamble to reach an international consensus on the subject, which would standardize the description of arterial waveforms and improve the management of PAD patients.

Background Current guidelines recommend extended anticoagulation in patients with unprovoked venous thromboembolism (VTE). However, a precise description of these patients from the “real-world” is lacking. Methods The EPI-GETBO study is a prospective epidemiologic study of VTE in the geographically well-defined Brest district area. All cases of symptomatic VTE between March 2013 and February 2015 were recorded, adjudicated, and included in the study. Results During the study period, 555 patients with unprovoked symptomatic VTE were included in EPI-GETBO. Patients’ median age was 72.0 years (IQR 57.0;83.0), 45.2% were male, 64.7% had a pulmonary embolism (PE) associated or not with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and 29.2% had a previous history of VTE. 5.6% of the patients had atrial fibrillation at the time of VTE diagnosis, 5.9% had a history of coronary artery disease, and 17.3% received antiplatelet medications. A total of 283 (51.0%) patients discontinued anticoagulation during the observation period. In these patients, the median duration of treatment was 183 days (range 0 to 853 days). Patients with PE associated or not with DVT were treated for a longer time than patients with isolated DVT (P = 0.01). A total of 40 recurrences (14.1%) were observed during follow-up (up to 2 years after initial VTE event) after anticoagulation discontinuation. Based on indirect standardization, we expect an annual 50,054 cases of unprovoked VTE in France, including 32,346 PEs. Conclusion The 14,1% recurrence rate of VTE after anticoagulation discontinuation confirms the need for extended duration of treatment in this patient population. Attention should be made for the significant number of patients with concomitant arterial disease who may need aspirin if low-dose DOAC is chosen for extended therapy or who may not be eligible for a low-dose DOAC in case of presence of atrial fibrillation.

Background: The frequency of PE in patients with acute exacerbation of COPD remains uncertain. Aims: To determinate PE frequency in patients with an acute COPD exacerbation, whether PE was clinically suspected or not. Method: In the “PEP” multicentre prospective cohort, patients admitted to hospital for an acute COPD exacerbation were included in 7 French Centres. A predefined and validated PE diagnosis algorithm based on GENEVA score, D-dimer, CT-scan and legs’ ultrasound was performed in all patients within 48 hours following admission with a prospective 3-month follow-up. The primary outcome was PE diagnosed at admission. Secondary outcomes were venous thromboembolism (VTE, including isolated deep vein thrombosis (DVT)) at inclusion and at 3-month follow-up in patients where PE or DVT was initially excluded and 3-month mortality. All VTE events were centrally adjudated by an independant committee. Results: At inclusion, among the 740 included patients, PE was confirmed in 44 (5.9%) and isolated DVT in 10 (1.6%), yielding a VTE prevalence of 7.3% (95%CI 5.6-9.4). In patients with (n=299) and without (n=441) clinical suspicion of PE, VTE prevalence was 11.7% (95%CI 8.6-15.9) and 4.4% (95%CI 2.8-6.6), respectively. At 3 months, among the 686 patients where PE or DVT was excluded at inclusion, PE occurred in 5 patients (2/264 patients with suspected PE and 3/422 with no PE suspicion). At 3 months, 50 patients (6.8%) died (12/44 patients with PE (27.3%) and 38/686 patients with no PE (5.5%)). Conclusion: The prevalence of PE in patients hospitalized for an acute COPD exacerbation is high and of poor prognosis, whether PE was suspected or not.

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

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Abstract. Background: The analysis of Doppler ultrasound waveforms (DW) provides a method for detecting and evaluating arterial stenosis in the lower limb arteries but no recommendation exists on how to describe the DWs. Aims of this study were to assess the heterogeneity of the description of DWs among vascular residents and the impact of the use of a 4-item classification. Methods: Thirty different DWs were presented to residents using Microsoft PowerPoint® slides. They were invited to describe the 30 DWs before and after the presentation of a 4-item classification (triphasic, biphasic, monophasic, and others). The heterogeneity was assessed by the number of different answers used by the residents. Nineteen residents with six to eighteen months of vascular medicine training and ultrasound experience were included. Results: The average of different answers was 9 ± 4 for the whole analysis of the 30 DWs without the use of a specific classification, whereas the average was 2 ± 1 using the 4-item classification (p < 0.005). There was a significant difference in correct answers, i. e. in combined continuous waveforms and pulsed waveforms between experienced residents and younger residents (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Using a 4-item classification for DWs reduced the heterogeneity of the DW description. There is an urgent need to standardize the DW description in order to improve the patients care with peripheral artery disease.

Objective: Our main objective was to evaluate the short- and long-term efficacy of Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy for endovenous treatment of incompetent great saphenous vein. The secondary objectives were to report on possible short-term side effects and complications. Methods: This was a retrospective study of 112 consecutive patients included between 2013 and June 2015. These patients were treated (146 great saphenous vein, C2–C6) either at the hemodynamic room using local anesthesia or at the operating theater under general anesthesia with or without phlebectomy. All patients received radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy at 18 W power, 1 s/cm pullback rate and 5–7 pullbacks per segment of 10 cm (i.e. maximum 10 pullbacks). A clinical follow-up via ultrasound monitoring was done at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years. Results: The 3-year survival occlusion rate was 96.71% and 98% for overall and radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy patients, respectively. No major side effects were observed. A case of endovenous heat-induced thrombosis was reported. Slight neurological disorders were reported (0.88%). Conclusion: Our unit’s endovenous Celon radiofrequency-induced thermal therapy of incompetent great saphenous vein was efficient, well tolerated, without major side effects. Moreover, in order to reduce possible neurological disorders, we advise multiple pullbacks at 1 s/cm and using tumescence anesthesia.

Ankle-brachial index (ABI) at rest, postexercise ABI, and toe-brachial index (TBI) are essential diagnostic tools recommended for peripheral artery disease (PAD) diagnosis. Our study investigates the level of knowledge on these 3 tests among vascular medicine residents from 4 French medical schools in France.We included 19 vascular medicine residents in a cross-sectional study. During an annual obligatory seminar, all residents accepted to fill 3 questionnaires concerning knowledge about these 3 tests.All residents accepted to fill 3 questionnaires. None of the residents correctly knows how to perform all pressure measurements (ABI, postexercise ABI, and TBI). Two residents had the knowledge to perform the whole ABI at rest procedure, whereas no resident had the knowledge to perform neither the postexercise ABI (P = 0.48) nor the TBI (P = 0.48). Twelve residents correctly completed the question regarding the interpretation of ABI at rest, whereas 2 correctly completed the postexercise ABI question (P = 0.001) and 4 the TBI question (P = 0.02). The number of residents who have performed more than 20 measurements is higher regarding ABI at rest than postexercise ABI and TBI (84%, 5%, and 37% respectively; P 0.001 and P = 0.006 respectively) and significantly less often in postexercise ABI than TBI (5% vs. 37%; P = 0.04).This study shows for the first time that residents' knowledge of pressure measurements (resting-ABI, postexercise ABI, and TBI) of 4 French medical school are insufficient although the importance of pressure measurement has been strongly highlighted by the newly released PAD guidelines (2016) for PAD diagnosis.

We aimed to identify risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after unprovoked pulmonary embolism.Analyses were based on the double-blind randomised PADIS-PE trial, which included 371 patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism initially treated during 6 months who were randomised to receive an additional 18 months of warfarin or placebo and followed up for 2 years after study treatment discontinuation. All patients had ventilation/perfusion lung scan at inclusion (i.e. at 6 months of anticoagulation).During a median follow-up of 41 months, recurrent VTE occurred in 67 out of 371 patients (6.8 events per 100 person-years). In main multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio for recurrence was 3.65 (95% CI 1.33–9.99) for age 50–65 years, 4.70 (95% CI 1.78–12.40) for age >65 years, 2.06 (95% CI 1.14–3.72) for patients with pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) ≥5% at 6 months and 2.38 (95% CI 1.15–4.89) for patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. When considering that PVOI at 6 months would not be available in practice, PVOI ≥40% at pulmonary embolism diagnosis (present in 40% of patients) was also associated with a 2-fold increased risk of recurrence.After a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism, age, PVOI at pulmonary embolism diagnosis or after 6 months of anticoagulation and antiphospholipid antibodies were found to be independent predictors for recurrence.

International audience; Lower extremity peripheral artery disease is a frequent disease. Arterial Doppler waveforms analysis is a key element in vascular medicine, especially to diagnose lower peripheral artery disease. Although Doppler waveforms are often used, descriptions are highly heterogeneous. This review presents the simplified Saint-Bonnet classification that is tought to vascular medicine residents in order to homogenize arterial flow description.

Objective To evaluate changes in salivary gland echostructure and vascularization after rituximab treatment in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome (SS). Methods Twenty-eight patients with primary SS included in the multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Tolerance and Efficacy of Rituximab in Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (TEARS) trial underwent salivary gland ultrasonography before the first placebo or rituximab infusion and then 6 months later. Trial inclusion criteria were scores of ≥50 mm on at least 2 of 4 visual analog scales (VAS) evaluating dryness, pain, fatigue, and global disease; and recent-onset (

Introduction The diagnosis of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in pregnant women remains a challenge for physicians. The ‘LEFt’ clinical decision rule was recently derived, that might help in estimating the pretest probability of DVT during pregnancy. Our aim was to externally validate the LEFt clinical decision rule among pregnant women included in the OPTIMEV study. Materials and Methods The OPTIMEV study is a diagnostic and epidemiologic study that included patients with suspected VTE between November 2004 and January 2006. All patients underwent standardized clinical data collection, and a bilateral whole-leg venous ultrasonography. A 3-month follow-up was performed in all patients with confirmed VTE, and in a randomly selected subsample of patients with negative diagnostic workup. Results Of the 8,256 included patients, 96 were pregnant women. A DVT was diagnosed at CUS in 9 women (9.4%). The LEFtscore was computed in all but 7 women with missing values: one point in case of left (‘L’) leg suspicion, one point for edema (‘E’) and one point if the suspicion occurred during the first trimester (‘Ft’) of pregnancy. Prevalence of confirmed DVT was as follows: 1/30 (3%) in women with no LEFt criteria, 3/35 (9%), 2/20 (10%), and 3/4 (75%) in women with 1, 2 and 3 points, respectively. Conclusions Our results confirm the ability of the LEFt rule to estimate the pretest probability of DVT. Future studies are required to prospectively validate these findings and to define the role of the rule in a diagnostic algorithm for DVT during pregnancy.

Objectifs L’indice de pression systolique a la cheville (IPS) de repos et l’IPS post-effort sont des tests diagnostiques recommandes pour l’arteriopathie obliterante des membres inferieurs. Le niveau des medecins en formation de medecine vasculaire n’est pas connu. Nous avons evalue le niveau de connaissance concernant ces examens chez les medecins vasculaires en formation dans 4 facultes de medecine en France. Materiels et methodes Nous avons inclus dans une etude transversale, l’ensemble des 19 medecins presents a un seminaire de formation en 2016, qui ont du remplir deux questionnaires concernant leurs connaissances a propos de l’IPS de repos et post-effort. Les questions conformes aux recommandations proposees par les experts en medecine vasculaire, portaient sur le choix de l’equipement a utiliser, le choix des arteres, le nombre de mesures a realiser, le calcul de l’IPS, l’indication de la mesure post-effort et l’interpretation des resultats. Resultats Parmi les 19 medecins en formation, ayant tous accepte de remplir les questionnaires, il y avait 11 medecins en premiere annee (a 6 mois de formation) et 8 medecins en deuxieme annee (a 18 mois de formation). Aucun n’a repondu correctement a l’integralite des questions concernant les mesures de pression de repos et post-effort. Deux medecins avaient les connaissances pour realiser l’ensemble de la procedure de mesure d’IPS de repos tandis qu’aucun n’avait l’integralite des connaissances pour realiser celles de l’IPS post effort (p = 0,48). Douze medecins ont repondu correctement aux questions concernant l’interpretation de l’IPS de repos contre deux medecins pour celles de l’IPS post-effort (p = 0,001). Le nombre de medecins qui avait realise plus de 20 mesures de pression etait plus important pour l’IPS de repos que pour l’IPS post-effort (84 % (n = 16), 5 % (n = 1), p Conclusion Cette etude montre pour la premiere fois le faible niveau de connaissances concernant l’IPS de repos et post-effort des medecins vasculaires en formation dans quatre facultes de medecine en France. Des etudes pour determiner les methodes d’apprentissage et d’evaluation optimale pour ces deux tests diagnostiques sont a realiser.