M V Huisman

Bio: M V Huisman is an academic researcher from Leiden University Medical Center. The author has contributed to research in topics: Atrial fibrillation & Hazard ratio. The author has an hindex of 3, co-authored 9 publications receiving 47 citations.

Prophylaxis and treatment of COVID-19 related venous thromboembolism.

Abstract: COVID-19 pneumonia has been associated with high rates of thrombo-embolic complications, mostly venous thromboembolism (VTE), which is thought to be a combination of conventional VTE and in situ immunothrombosis in the pulmonary vascular tree. The incidence of thrombotic complications is dependent on setting (intensive care unit (ICU) versus general ward) and the threshold for performing diagnostic tests (screening versus diagnostic algorithms triggered by symptoms). Since these thrombotic complications are associated with in-hospital mortality, all current guidelines and consensus papers propose pharmacological thromboprophylaxis in all hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Several trials are ongoing to study the optimal intensity of anticoagulation for this purpose. As for the management of thrombotic complications, treatment regimens from non-COVID-19 guidelines can be adapted, with choice of anticoagulant drug class dependent on the situation. Parenteral anticoagulation is preferred for patients on ICUs or with impending clinical deterioration, while oral treatment can be started in stable patients. This review describes current knowledge on incidence and pathophysiology of COVID-19 associated VTE and provides an overview of guideline recommendations on thromboprophylaxis and treatment of established VTE in COVID-19 patients.

Ruling out pulmonary embolism across different subgroups of patients and healthcare settings: protocol for a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA).

Abstract: Diagnosing pulmonary embolism in suspected patients is notoriously difficult as signs and symptoms are non-specific. Different diagnostic strategies have been developed, usually combining clinical probability assessment with D-dimer testing. However, their predictive performance differs across different healthcare settings, patient subgroups, and clinical presentation, which are currently not accounted for in the available diagnostic approaches. This is a protocol for a large diagnostic individual patient data meta-analysis (IPDMA) of currently available diagnostic studies in the field of pulmonary embolism. We searched MEDLINE (search date January 1, 1995, till August 25, 2016) to retrieve all primary diagnostic studies that had evaluated diagnostic strategies for pulmonary embolism. Two authors independently screened titles, abstracts, and subsequently full-text articles for eligibility from 3145 individual studies. A total of 40 studies were deemed eligible for inclusion into our IPDMA set, and principal investigators from these studies were invited to participate in a meeting at the 2017 conference from the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis. All authors agreed on data sharing and participation into this project. The process of data collection of available datasets as well as potential identification of additional new datasets based upon personal contacts and an updated search will be finalized early 2018. The aim is to evaluate diagnostic strategies across three research domains: (i) the optimal diagnostic approach for different healthcare settings, (ii) influence of comorbidity on the predictive performance of each diagnostic strategy, and (iii) optimize and tailor the efficiency and safety of ruling out PE across a broad spectrum of patients with a new, patient-tailored clinical decision model that combines clinical items with quantitative D-dimer testing. This pre-planned individual patient data meta-analysis aims to contribute in resolving remaining diagnostic challenges of time-efficient diagnosis of pulmonary embolism by tailoring available diagnostic strategies for different healthcare settings and comorbidity. Prospero trial registration: ID 89366 .

Wells Rule and D-Dimer Testing to Rule Out Pulmonary Embolism

Abstract: This review contributes new information on use of the Wells rule with D-dimer testing to make decisions about imaging in patients with suspected pulmonary embolism.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of COVID-19 blood, lung, and airway.

Abstract: SARS-CoV2 is a previously uncharacterized coronavirus and causative agent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The host response to SARS-CoV2 has not yet been fully delineated, hampering a precise approach to therapy. To address this, we carried out a comprehensive analysis of gene expression data from the blood, lung, and airway of COVID-19 patients. Our results indicate that COVID-19 pathogenesis is driven by populations of myeloid-lineage cells with highly inflammatory but distinct transcriptional signatures in each compartment. The relative absence of cytotoxic cells in the lung suggests a model in which delayed clearance of the virus may permit exaggerated myeloid cell activation that contributes to disease pathogenesis by the production of inflammatory mediators. The gene expression profiles also identify potential therapeutic targets that could be modified with available drugs. The data suggest that transcriptomic profiling can provide an understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19 in individual patients.

'Real-world' atrial fibrillation management in Europe: observations from the 2-year follow-up of the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation General Registry Pilot Phase.

Abstract: Aims Atrial fibrillation (AF) is commonly associated with a high risk of stroke, thromboembolism, and mortality. The 1-year follow-up of the EURObservational Research Programme-Atrial Fibrillation (EORP-AF) Pilot Registry demonstrated a high mortality but good outcomes with European Society of Cardiology guideline-adherent therapy. Whether these ‘real-world’ observations on patients managed by European cardiologists extend to 2 years remains uncertain. Methods and results In this report from the EORP-AF General Registry Pilot Phase, we provide data on the 2-year follow-up outcomes. Consistent with the 1-year follow-up report, only a small proportion of patients were symptomatic (24.9%), with minor differences between the different AF subtypes. Persistence of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy remains high at 2-years, with ∼80% of patients treated with OAC. The prescribing rates of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are progressively increasing (13.7% at 2 years). Rate and rhythm control approaches remained consistent across the entire follow-up observation. Overall mortality rates remained high, with 5.0% of patients dead during the 2-year follow-up, mostly due to cardiovascular causes (61.8%). Atrial fibrillation readmissions were frequent, particularly related to arrhythmias and heart failure. On multivariate analyses, any cardiovascular reason for admission rather than AF was significantly associated with increased mortality during the 2-year follow-up. Conclusion In this 2-year follow-up report from EORP-AF, mortality rates with AF remain high from cardiovascular causes, despite the high prevalent use of OAC. Improved management strategies to reduce major adverse outcomes in AF patients are needed.

Venous Thromboembolism in Patients Discharged after COVID-19 Hospitalization.

Abstract: Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a frequent complication of COVID-19, so that the importance of adequate in-hospital thromboprophylaxis in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 is well established. However, the incidence of VTE after discharge and whether postdischarge thromboprophylaxis is beneficial and safe are unclear. In this prospective observational single-center study, we report the incidence of VTE 6 weeks after hospitalization and the use of postdischarge thromboprophylaxis. Methods Patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19 were invited to a multidisciplinary follow-up clinic 6 weeks after discharge. D-dimer and C-reactive protein were measured, and all patients were screened for deep vein thrombosis with venous duplex-ultrasound. Additionally, selected high-risk patients received computed tomography pulmonary angiogram or ventilation–perfusion (V/Q) scan to screen for incidental pulmonary embolism. Results Of 485 consecutive patients hospitalized from March through June 2020, 146 patients were analyzed, of which 39% had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Postdischarge thromboprophylaxis was prescribed in 28% of patients, but was used more frequently after ICU stay (61%) and in patients with higher maximal D-dimer and C-reactive protein levels during hospitalization. Six weeks after discharge, elevated D-dimer values were present in 32% of ward and 42% of ICU patients. Only one asymptomatic deep vein thrombosis (0.7%) and one symptomatic pulmonary embolism (0.7%) were diagnosed with systematic screening. No bleedings were reported. Conclusion In patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19, systematic screening for VTE 6 weeks after discharge revealed a low incidence of VTE. A strategy of selectively providing postdischarge thromboprophylaxis in high-risk patients seems safe and potentially effective.