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Thromb Haemost 2018; 118(04): 654-663
DOI: 10.1055/s-0038-1636535
Coagulation and Fibrinolysis
Schattauer GmbH Stuttgart

Altered Plasma Clot Properties and Trauma-Related Venous Thromboembolism despite Thromboprophylaxis

Sarah Goldman   *
1   Krakow Center for Medical Research and Technology, John Paul II Hospital, Kraków, Poland
,
Paulina Frączek   *
1   Krakow Center for Medical Research and Technology, John Paul II Hospital, Kraków, Poland
,
Krzysztof Szklanny
2   Department of Trauma and Orthopedics, St. Luke's Regional Hospital in Tarnów, Tarnów, Poland
,
Elżbieta Papuga-Szela
3   Immunology Outpatient Clinic, John Paul II Hospital, Krakow, Poland
,
Andrzej Stanisz
4   Department of Bioinformatics and Telemedicine, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
,
Anetta Undas
1   Krakow Center for Medical Research and Technology, John Paul II Hospital, Kraków, Poland
5   Institute of Cardiology, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Kraków, Poland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

20 October 2017

11 January 2018

Publication Date:
04 April 2018 (online)

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Abstract

Background Prothrombotic clot phenotype may characterize patients developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT) despite pharmacological thromboprophylaxis. We studied the role of fibrin clot properties and its potential determinants in individuals who experienced DVT after lower limb injury.

Methods In a case–control study, we assessed 50 patients who developed DVT despite prophylactic use of low-molecular-weight heparins (the failed thromboprophylaxis group) after a lower limb injury, and three age- and sex-matched control groups, 50 patients each: (1) patients with trauma-related DVT without prior thromboprophylaxis; (2) individuals with unprovoked DVT; (3) patients without history of DVT (the no-DVT controls). Fibrin clot properties, along with thrombin concentration and α2-antiplasmin, were assessed following 3 months of anticoagulation in all DVT patients.

Results Compared with the no-DVT controls, the failed thromboprophylaxis group exhibited denser fibrin networks (12.8% lower clot permeability [Ks], p = 0.0008) and impaired fibrinolysis (46.2% longer clot lysis time [CLT], p = 0.0001 and 8% lower rate of D-dimer release from clots, p = 0.0008). In the unprovoked DVT, similar Ks and 14.9% shorter CLT (p = 0.02) were reported compared with the failed thromboprophylaxis group. The failed thromboprophylaxis patients had higher odds of having elevated peak thrombin generation (>241.5 nM, 90th percentile in the no-DVT controls; odds ratio [OR]: 3.62; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.86–7.06; p = 0.002), and higher odds of having elevated α2-antiplasmin (>115.05%; OR: 3.38; 95% CI, 1.64–6.98; p = 0.001).

Conclusion Patients who experienced DVT despite thromboprophylaxis following lower limb trauma display a strongly prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype, including increased clot density and hypofibrinolysis associated with higher plasma α2-antiplasmin.

Keywords

prothrombotic - fibrin - fibrinolysis - thromboprophylaxis - lower limb trauma

* Sarah Goldman and Paulina Frączek equally contributed to this work.


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