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Venous thromboembolism and high grade gliomas
M S Dhami1, R D Bona, J A Calogero
1Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center, Department of Medicine, Hartford, CT 06105.
Thrombosis and Haemostasis
|September 1, 1993
Summary
Patients with high-grade gliomas frequently experience venous thromboembolism (VTE). Chemotherapy and paresis significantly increase VTE risk in these patients.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Vascular Medicine
- Clinical Epidemiology
Background:
- High-grade gliomas are aggressive brain tumors.
- Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a significant clinical concern in oncology patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence of clinical VTE in patients treated for high-grade gliomas.
- To identify risk factors predisposing to VTE in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 68 patients treated between 1986 and 1991.
- Follow-up to death or at least 6 months.
- Objective confirmation of all clinically suspected VTE episodes.
Main Results:
- An overall VTE episode rate of 23.5% (16 episodes in 13 patients) was observed.
- Chemotherapy administration (p=0.027) and presence of paresis (p=0.031) were significant risk factors for VTE.
- Thrombotic events were significantly more likely to occur in paretic limbs (p=0.00049).
Conclusions:
- Venous thromboembolic complications are frequent in high-grade glioma patients.
- Paresis and chemotherapy administration are identified as key risk factors for VTE.
- Long-term anticoagulation for VTE showed no major bleeding complications in this cohort.