Background. We have recently demonstrated that the presence of Residual Vein Thrombosis (RVT), UltraSonography (US)-detected at the 3rd month after an episode of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) of the lower limbs, is an independent risk factor for developing recurrent Venous Thromboembolism (VTE). The management of DVT patients by detection of RVT may, therefore, represent a simple and reproducible method for establishing the individual risk of recurrence and for tailoring the optimal duration of Oral Anticoagulants (OA) (

Siragusa S et al. Blood2003;102(11):OC183a
). At the present, it is unknown whether RVT may also identify patients at increased risk for cancer and/or cardiovascular disease (CD).

Objective of the study. In patients with DVT of the lower limbs, we conducted a prospective study for evaluating the correlation between RVT and the risk of new overt cancer and/or CD.

Materials and methods. Consecutive patients, with an episode of idiopathic or provoked DVT, were evaluated after 3 months from the index DVT; presence/absence of RVT was detected and patients managed consequently (table). The incidence of VTE recurrence, overt cancer and new CD was evaluated over a period of 3 years after the index DVT. Survival curves (Kaplan-Mayer) and related Breslow test have been used for statistics.

Results. Three-hundred fourty-five patients were included in the analysis. The results are listed in the table and figures. The incidence of recurrent VTE and new overt cancer was statistically lower in patients without RVT than in those with RVT; no significant differences were found in the incidence of new CD. These data are applicable in patients with idiopathic or provoked index DVT. In patients with RVT, the advantage of prolonging anticoagulation for 12 months was lost at the end of the treatment.

Conclusions. This is the first study evaluating the relationship between US-detected RVT and the risk of developing cancer and CD; RVT presence, at 3rd month from the index DVT, is an independent risk factor for recurrent VTE and indicates patients at risk for new overt cancer. This risk remains over a period of 3 years, independently whether index DVT was idiopathic or provoked. In these patients, the advantage of indefinite anticoagulation should be assessed in properly designed study.

Incidence of events over a period of 3 years accordingly to RVT findings

GroupNumber of patientsPresence of RVT at the 3rd months of OA from the index DVTDuration of OA from the index DVTIncidence of recurrent VTEIncidence of new cancerIncidence of new CD
*Part of these patients were originally randomized to receive 3 or 12 months of OA 
Group *A1 142 yes 12 months 11 (7.7%) 8 (5.6%) 7 (4.9%) 
Group *A2 91 yes 3 months 16 (17.5%) 9 (9.9%) 7 (7.7%) 
Group B 112 no 3 months 1 (0.9%) 3 (2.6%) 4 (3.5%) 
GroupNumber of patientsPresence of RVT at the 3rd months of OA from the index DVTDuration of OA from the index DVTIncidence of recurrent VTEIncidence of new cancerIncidence of new CD
*Part of these patients were originally randomized to receive 3 or 12 months of OA 
Group *A1 142 yes 12 months 11 (7.7%) 8 (5.6%) 7 (4.9%) 
Group *A2 91 yes 3 months 16 (17.5%) 9 (9.9%) 7 (7.7%) 
Group B 112 no 3 months 1 (0.9%) 3 (2.6%) 4 (3.5%) 
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Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cancer
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Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cancer

Figure 1:
Figure 1:. Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cancer
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Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cancer

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Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cardiovascular Event
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Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cardiovascular Event

Figure 2:
Figure 2:. Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cardiovascular Event
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Relationship between RVT and subsequent Cardiovascular Event

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Topics:
cancer, cardiovascular diseases, deep vein thrombosis, venous thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, anticoagulation, cardiovascular event, anticoagulants, oral, breslow thickness, ultrasonography

Author notes

Corresponding author

2005, The American Society of Hematology
2005
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