Biomarkers for post thrombotic syndrome: a case-control study

There is limited knowledge on the etiology of post thrombotic syndrome (PTS), although several mechanisms have been proposed. The objectives are to explore the role of different pathogenic mechanisms for PTS, through measurement of an elaborate panel of biomarkers in patients with and without PTS.

Patients with a history of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with PTS (cases) and without PTS after minimal 2years follow-up (controls), were selected from the outpatient clinic of two Dutch hospitals. As a reference to the normal population healthy individuals (HI) without a history of venous thromboembolism were invited to participate. The population consisted of: 26 cases, 27 controls, and 26 HI. A panel of predefined biomarkers was measured in venous blood.

D-dimer showed a decreasing trend from cases to controls to HI; p=0.010. Thrombin/antithrombin complex levels were significantly higher in cases than in controls; p=0.032, and HI; p=0.017. APC-ratio was significantly lower in cases compared to controls; p=0.032, and HI; p=0.011. A significant trend of increasing proTAFI from cases, to controls, and HI; p=0.002 was found. There were no differences in inflammatory markers (CRP, Interleukin-6, Interleukin-8). Thrombomodulin, tissue-plasminogen activator, and von Willebrand factor were higher in patients compared to HI. There was a significant trend of decreasing sVCAM, from cases, to controls, and HI; p=0.029.

Patients with PTS displayed increased coagulation activity, an altered pattern of fibrinolytic marker expression, and increased endothelial activation. We found no evidence of systemic inflammation in patients with PTS at 63months since the last DVT.