Venous Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Patients With Active Cancer

Abstract

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common complication of cancer and chemotherapy. We evaluated the baseline clinical characteristics, thromboprophylaxis patterns, frequency and timing of VTE, and clinical outcomes in 1000 adult hospitalized patients with active cancer. Overall, symptomatic VTE occurred in 5.4% of hospitalized patients with cancer. The VTE occurred in 2.3% of patients with cancer during hospitalization and in 3.4% between hospital discharge and day 90. Few (13.9%) hospitalized patients with cancer received extended duration pharmacological prophylaxis after hospital discharge. Cancer was the most frequent known cause of death in both the groups. In conclusion, VTE was common in hospitalized patients with cancer, especially after discharge. Inhospital death and death between discharge and day 90 were frequent in hospitalized patients with cancer who developed VTE.

Primary prevention of venous thromboembolism with apixaban for multiple myeloma patients receiving immunomodulatory agents

“…Patients with MM are at high‐risk for VTE, particularly at times of higher disease burden 28,29 . Studies evaluating IMiDs have demonstrated a VTE incidence ranging between 3‐31%, with risk increased in combination with higher doses of dexamethasone and with IMiD‐based combination therapies 3,6,28 .…”

Venous Thromboembolism and Cancer

“…11 Mortality after hospital discharge is nearly double among patients with cancer who subsequently developed VTE in comparison with those who do not. 1 Fatal PE contributes to a high 30-day mortality in patients with active malignancy who subsequently develop VTE. 12 Incidentally diagnosed PE detected on imaging studies performed for cancer surveillance has been traditionally believed to carry a benign prognosis.…”

Apixaban for Primary Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients With Multiple Myeloma Receiving Immunomodulatory Therapy

“…MM has been associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) (3, 4). Compared with the general population, two large population-based studies found the incidence of VTE to be higher in patients with MM (5, 6). In a study of over 4 million US veterans, VTE risk was 9-fold higher in patients with MM compared all other patients.…”