Background. Growth-arrest specific 6 (gas6) is a novel vitamin-K dependent protein whose role in venous thromboembolism was recently characterized in murine models. Gas6 is suggested to be a prothrombotic protein capable of mediating thrombus stability. However, the association between gas6 and venous thromboembolism has yet to be elucidated in humans. The present work aims to delineate the existence of such an association in humans and propose a mechanism by which gas6 expression is related to venous thromboembolic disease. / Methods. To analyze the association between gas6 and venous thromboembolism, a highly specific ELISA method was used to measure plasma gas6 levels in 306 patients with a history of deep-vein thrombosis (DVT) and 89 control volunteers. Medication history, comorbid conditions and DVT characteristics were documented for the purposes of statistical analyses. Median gas6 levels were compared between the subgroups, and prevalence rate ratios were calculated. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells were used to measure the effect of gas6 treatment on the expression of various mediators of coagulation. Murine thrombosis models were developed to serve as in vivo models for thrombosis. / Results. The median levels of gas6 were 28.21 ng/ml in patients compared to 26.15 ng/ml in controls (p=0.01). After adjustment for age, sex, comorbidity and medications, DVT patients had a PRR of 2.5 (95% CI 1.36 to 4.61, p=0.003) compared with controls. Within the DVT subgroup, median gas6 levels were significantly higher in those with cancer-associated (vs. unprovoked or secondary) DVT (p<0.001) and in those with more extensive DVT (p=0.037), while levels were significantly lower in those taking warfarin (vs. no warfarin) (p=0.03). Preliminary results with endothelial cell cultures are inconclusive with regards to the effect of gas6 on endothelium derived mediators of coagulation. / Conclusions. Elevated plasma gas6 is associated with venous thromboembolism. The etiology of the clot influences detected levels of gas6, with the highest levels seen in cancer-patients. Furthermore, increasing clot burden correlates with elevated levels of gas6. A mechanistic explanation for how gas6 modulates this association is in its preliminary stages, and is worth pursuing.

No description available.

The anticardiolipin antibody syndrome is relatively uncommon. It should be suspected mostly in young people with unexplained embolic or thrombotic events. A young patient with an abnormal prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, or venereal disease research lab test with one of the above noted vascular events would be a suspect for this disorder. Though an antibody test that will qualitatively and quantitatively measure antiphospholipid antibodies is available, its clinical application is not entirely clear. The presence of the antibody will support a diagnosis but cannot be used alone for diagnosis or treatment.

Introdução: A evolução clínica da trombose venosa cerebral (TVC) pode variar desde a recuperação completa ao óbito. Séries européias e um estudo multicêntrico identificaram alguns fatores indicativos de prognóstico da TVC, dado importante na decisão da melhor terapêutica para os pacientes. Este estudo busca identificar, a partir do seguimento prospectivo de cento e onze pacientes com TVC, os fatores prognósticos envolvidos na evolução clínica durante o período de 2 anos. Pacientes Métodos: Foram acompanhados prospectivamente 111 pacientes com diagnóstico de TVC desde a fase aguda do diagnóstico, confirmado por meio de RM de encéfalo e/ou angiografia cerebral (ARM, ATC ou angiografia digital). Obtidos dados do quadro clínico e seguimento por um protocolo clínico. 96% dos pacientes foram anticoagulados na fase aguda com heparina e seguida de anticoagulação com warfarina. Submetidos a investigação para os fatores predisponentes para TVC. A evolução clínica foi quantificada por meio da escala modificada de Rankin (EMR) após 3, 6, 12 e 24 meses, definindo os pacientes de bom prognóstico EMR 1, e mau prognóstico EMR 2. Comparamos dados clínicos da fase aguda e resultados encontrados nos exames de imagem e laboratoriais como possíveis fatores prognósticos, através da análise univariada pelo teste 2 e os fatores de significância estatística (p<0,1), foram analisados com regressão logística ajustada e cálculo da razão de chances (RC), (intervalo de confiança IC=95%). Resultados: A média da idade dos pacientes foi de 35 anos, 72% mulheres, 40% afro-brasileiros. As principais manifestações clínicas foram: cefaléia 97%, déficit focal 47%, crise epiléptica 40%, alteração da consciência 28%, síndrome de HIC (SHIC) isolada 40%. Quanto aos fatores predisponentes; 75% das mulheres usavam anticoncepcional, 31% dos pacientes apresentavam trombofilia hereditária, 13% SAAF, 6% eram portadores de vasculites, 25% outros estados pro trombóticos, 7 % apresentavam fatores locais (infecciosos ou MAV); e 5% das mulheres estavam no puerpério ou gestação. Os dados de neuroimagem revelaram que 42% apresentaram trombose em mais de um sistema venoso, 33% tiveram infartos hemorrágicos e 18% infartos venosos isquêmicos, e 20% dos pacientes apresentaram trombose de veias e seios profundos. Após 24 meses 18 pacientes (17%) apresentaram EMR 2 e os fatores determinantes de pior prognóstico foram: a etnia afro-brasileira p=0,001; RC= 11,37 (95% IC 2.81- 46,08), alteração do nível de consciência p=0,007; RC=4.56 (95% IC 1.61-19.45), sexo masculino p=0,049 RC=3.55 (95% IC 1.00-12.55) e idade acima de 32 anos p=0,05 RC = 3.95 (95% IC 0,97-15.20). A presença isolada de ACO como fator predisponente está associado ao melhor prognóstico p = 0,016; RC=5,17(95% IC 1.37-19.57) e após 24 meses a mortalidade foi de 4,5%. Conclusão: A análise deste trabalho evidencia que a maioria dos pacientes portadores de TVC (83%) apresenta uma evolução benigna com o tratamento, estando após 24 meses assintomáticos ou com sintomas mínimos, e a presença de ACO como fator predisponente isolado a TVC está relacionado ao melhor prognóstico. Os pacientes com pior evolução clínica têm a raça afro-brasileira, a alteração do nível de consciência, sexo masculino e idade acima de 32 anos como fatores determinantes de pior prognóstico em vinte e quatro meses. A identificação destes fatores é importante por direcionar um melhor tratamento na fase aguda da TVC para casos selecionados / Introduction: The cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) clinical evolution is quite variable from complete recovery to death. Some European series and a multicenter study had identified prognostic factors related to CVT prognosis. The identification of these factors is important for the best therapeutic decision to patients. This study aims to identify the prognostic factors enrolled in clinical evolution of 111 patients with CVT in a prospective outcome clinical trial during two years. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and eleven patients were prospective followed with the diagnosis of CVT since acute phase diagnosis, confirmed by brain MRI and/or brain angiography (MRA , CTA or digital angiography). Information about clinical features and follow-up were filled on a clinical form. 96% of the patients were anticoagulated on heparin followed by warfarin treatment. The patients were investigated to predisposing factors to CVT. The clinical evaluation was accessed by the modified Rakin scale (mRs) after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, considering patients with good outcome when mRs 2. The acute phase clinical features, laboratory and imaging data were compared as possible prognosis factors beyond univariate 2 test and the factors with statistical significance (p<0,1) and then analyzed by logistic regression adjusted and Odds Ratio values (confidence interval CI=95%). Results: The mean age of the patients was 35 years, 72% were women, and 40% were African Brazilian. The main clinical features observed were: headache 97%, focal sign 47%, epileptic seizure 40%, isolated ICH syndrome 40% and altered mental status 28%. All the patients were investigated to predisposing factors; 75% of the women were on oral contraceptive, 31% of the patients presented hereditary thrombophilia, 13 % antiphospholipid syndrome, 6% presented vasculitis, 25% other protrhrombotic state, 7% presented some local feature (arterialvenous malformation or infection) and 5% of women were pregnant or on puerperium. The neuroimaging data showed that 42% of the patients presented thrombosis in more than one venous system, 33% had hemorrhage infarcts, 18% ischemic venous infarcts and 20% of the patients had thrombosis of the deep venous system. After two years 17% had a mRs > 2 and the features enrolled on poor prognosis were: African Brazilian patients p=0,001; OR= 11,37 (95% IC 2.81- 46,08), altered mental status p=0,007; OR=4.56 (95% IC 1.61-19.45), male gender p=0,049 OR=3.55 (95% IC 1.00-12.55) and age over 32 years p=0,05 OR = 3.95 (95% IC 0,97- 15.20). The presence of oral contraceptives as isolated predisposing factor was related to good outcome CVT p=0,016; OR=5,17(95% IC 1.37-19.57) and after two years the mortality rate was 4,5%. Conclusion: This study data show that most patients with the diagnosis of CVT (83%) has a good outcome with the treatment, after two years follow up they have no symptoms or minimal deficits, and the presence of oral contraceptives as isolated predisposing factor was related to better outcome CVT. The patients with poor prognosis have the African Brazilian ethnic group, altered mental status, male gender and age over 32 years as the factors enrolled on bad clinical evolution in two years. The identification of these factors can have future value on treatment better choice on acute phase to selected CVT patients

Introdução: A evolução clínica da trombose venosa cerebral (TVC) pode variar desde a recuperação completa ao óbito. Séries européias e um estudo multicêntrico identificaram alguns fatores indicativos de prognóstico da TVC, dado importante na decisão da melhor terapêutica para os pacientes. Este estudo busca identificar, a partir do seguimento prospectivo de cento e onze pacientes com TVC, os fatores prognósticos envolvidos na evolução clínica durante o período de 2 anos. Pacientes Métodos: Foram acompanhados prospectivamente 111 pacientes com diagnóstico de TVC desde a fase aguda do diagnóstico, confirmado por meio de RM de encéfalo e/ou angiografia cerebral (ARM, ATC ou angiografia digital). Obtidos dados do quadro clínico e seguimento por um protocolo clínico. 96% dos pacientes foram anticoagulados na fase aguda com heparina e seguida de anticoagulação com warfarina. Submetidos a investigação para os fatores predisponentes para TVC. A evolução clínica foi quantificada por meio da escala modificada de Rankin (EMR) após 3, 6, 12 e 24 meses, definindo os pacientes de bom prognóstico EMR 1, e mau prognóstico EMR 2. Comparamos dados clínicos da fase aguda e resultados encontrados nos exames de imagem e laboratoriais como possíveis fatores prognósticos, através da análise univariada pelo teste 2 e os fatores de significância estatística (p<0,1), foram analisados com regressão logística ajustada e cálculo da razão de chances (RC), (intervalo de confiança IC=95%). Resultados: A média da idade dos pacientes foi de 35 anos, 72% mulheres, 40% afro-brasileiros. As principais manifestações clínicas foram: cefaléia 97%, déficit focal 47%, crise epiléptica 40%, alteração da consciência 28%, síndrome de HIC (SHIC) isolada 40%. Quanto aos fatores predisponentes; 75% das mulheres usavam anticoncepcional, 31% dos pacientes apresentavam trombofilia hereditária, 13% SAAF, 6% eram portadores de vasculites, 25% outros estados pro trombóticos, 7 % apresentavam fatores locais (infecciosos ou MAV); e 5% das mulheres estavam no puerpério ou gestação. Os dados de neuroimagem revelaram que 42% apresentaram trombose em mais de um sistema venoso, 33% tiveram infartos hemorrágicos e 18% infartos venosos isquêmicos, e 20% dos pacientes apresentaram trombose de veias e seios profundos. Após 24 meses 18 pacientes (17%) apresentaram EMR 2 e os fatores determinantes de pior prognóstico foram: a etnia afro-brasileira p=0,001; RC= 11,37 (95% IC 2.81- 46,08), alteração do nível de consciência p=0,007; RC=4.56 (95% IC 1.61-19.45), sexo masculino p=0,049 RC=3.55 (95% IC 1.00-12.55) e idade acima de 32 anos p=0,05 RC = 3.95 (95% IC 0,97-15.20). A presença isolada de ACO como fator predisponente está associado ao melhor prognóstico p = 0,016; RC=5,17(95% IC 1.37-19.57) e após 24 meses a mortalidade foi de 4,5%. Conclusão: A análise deste trabalho evidencia que a maioria dos pacientes portadores de TVC (83%) apresenta uma evolução benigna com o tratamento, estando após 24 meses assintomáticos ou com sintomas mínimos, e a presença de ACO como fator predisponente isolado a TVC está relacionado ao melhor prognóstico. Os pacientes com pior evolução clínica têm a raça afro-brasileira, a alteração do nível de consciência, sexo masculino e idade acima de 32 anos como fatores determinantes de pior prognóstico em vinte e quatro meses. A identificação destes fatores é importante por direcionar um melhor tratamento na fase aguda da TVC para casos selecionados / Introduction: The cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) clinical evolution is quite variable from complete recovery to death. Some European series and a multicenter study had identified prognostic factors related to CVT prognosis. The identification of these factors is important for the best therapeutic decision to patients. This study aims to identify the prognostic factors enrolled in clinical evolution of 111 patients with CVT in a prospective outcome clinical trial during two years. Subjects and Methods: One hundred and eleven patients were prospective followed with the diagnosis of CVT since acute phase diagnosis, confirmed by brain MRI and/or brain angiography (MRA , CTA or digital angiography). Information about clinical features and follow-up were filled on a clinical form. 96% of the patients were anticoagulated on heparin followed by warfarin treatment. The patients were investigated to predisposing factors to CVT. The clinical evaluation was accessed by the modified Rakin scale (mRs) after 3, 6, 12 and 24 months, considering patients with good outcome when mRs 2. The acute phase clinical features, laboratory and imaging data were compared as possible prognosis factors beyond univariate 2 test and the factors with statistical significance (p<0,1) and then analyzed by logistic regression adjusted and Odds Ratio values (confidence interval CI=95%). Results: The mean age of the patients was 35 years, 72% were women, and 40% were African Brazilian. The main clinical features observed were: headache 97%, focal sign 47%, epileptic seizure 40%, isolated ICH syndrome 40% and altered mental status 28%. All the patients were investigated to predisposing factors; 75% of the women were on oral contraceptive, 31% of the patients presented hereditary thrombophilia, 13 % antiphospholipid syndrome, 6% presented vasculitis, 25% other protrhrombotic state, 7% presented some local feature (arterialvenous malformation or infection) and 5% of women were pregnant or on puerperium. The neuroimaging data showed that 42% of the patients presented thrombosis in more than one venous system, 33% had hemorrhage infarcts, 18% ischemic venous infarcts and 20% of the patients had thrombosis of the deep venous system. After two years 17% had a mRs > 2 and the features enrolled on poor prognosis were: African Brazilian patients p=0,001; OR= 11,37 (95% IC 2.81- 46,08), altered mental status p=0,007; OR=4.56 (95% IC 1.61-19.45), male gender p=0,049 OR=3.55 (95% IC 1.00-12.55) and age over 32 years p=0,05 OR = 3.95 (95% IC 0,97- 15.20). The presence of oral contraceptives as isolated predisposing factor was related to good outcome CVT p=0,016; OR=5,17(95% IC 1.37-19.57) and after two years the mortality rate was 4,5%. Conclusion: This study data show that most patients with the diagnosis of CVT (83%) has a good outcome with the treatment, after two years follow up they have no symptoms or minimal deficits, and the presence of oral contraceptives as isolated predisposing factor was related to better outcome CVT. The patients with poor prognosis have the African Brazilian ethnic group, altered mental status, male gender and age over 32 years as the factors enrolled on bad clinical evolution in two years. The identification of these factors can have future value on treatment better choice on acute phase to selected CVT patients