SummaryWe studied the association of D-dimer with the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT). D-dimer was measured in 474 patients more than 6 months after diagnosis of a first DVT and in 474 age-and sexmatched controls. For D-dimer above the 70th percentile (130.5 ng/ml), the odds ratio (OR) for DVT was 2.2 (95% CI, 1.6-2.9). The association was unchanged with adjustment for other risk factors. Excluding participants with Factor V Leiden, prothrombin 20210A, or factors VIIIc or IX above the 90th percentile, the OR was 1.6 (95% CI, 1.1-2.3). The risks of DVT with the joint presence of high D-dimer and either factor V Leiden or prothrombin 20210A were increased 12.4-fold (95% CI 5.6-27.7) and 7.2-fold (95% CI 2.1-25.1), respectively. Higher Ddimer concentration was associated with the risk of DVT, and was supra-additive to the risks associated with factor V Leiden and the prothrombin 20210A variant. Persistence of this association in the absence of other hemostatic risk factors for DVT suggests that high D-dimer may be related to other, as yet unknown, risk factors for venous thrombosis. Confirmation of these findings is desirable.

Summary Cancer patients have an increased risk of venous thrombosis (VT). The association of factor V Leiden (FVL) and the prothrombin 20210A variant with VT in cancer patients is not established. We genotyped 101 cancer patients with VT and 101 cancer patients without VT for these polymorphisms. Five cases and three controls were heterozygous for FVL, yielding an odds ratio of 1·7 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0·3–10·7). Five cases and no controls were heterozygous for prothrombin 20210A, for an odds ratio of 6·7 (95% CI 0·9–infinity). Prothrombin 20210A may be associated with VT risk among cancer patients.

Background. Patient blood management (PBM) programs are associated with reduced transfusion usage, reduced hospital costs, and improved patient outcomes. The application of PBM principles in patients with malignant disease might achieve similar results. However, this population presents unique challenges. The aim of the present study was to investigate the impact of a PBM program on blood usage and patient outcomes in cancer patients, particularly in the setting of restricted use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs). Materials and Methods. A retrospective observational study was performed of patients admitted with a primary diagnosis of malignancy treated at Eastern Maine Medical Center as inpatients or outpatients, or both, from January 2008 through July 2013. Results. The proportion of inpatients and outpatients receiving ESAs decreased from 2.9% in 2008 to 1.1% in 2013 (p < .001). During the same period, an increase occurred in the mean dose of intravenous (IV) iron from 447 mg (95% confidence interval [CI], 337–556) to 588 mg (95% CI, 458–718). The mean red blood cell (RBC) units transfused per inpatient and outpatient episode decreased from 0.067 to 0.038 unit (p < .001). In inpatients, significant increases occurred in the proportion of single-unit RBC transfusions (p < .001) and patients infused with IV iron (p = .02), and significant decreases in the mean pretransfusion hemoglobin (p = .02) and RBC transfusion rate (p = .04). In-hospital mortality and length of stay did not change significantly during this period. Conclusion. Despite the decreased use of ESA therapy, the implementation of a PBM program and outpatient anemia management protocol in cancer patients at our medical center was associated with significant reductions in RBC usage.

We instituted a pharmacy-based surveillance and intervention program for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Surveillance occurred between August 1996 and July 1999. Platelet counts were monitored by pharmacists in patients receiving heparin 10,000 U/day or more. For patients with declining platelet counts, serology was ordered and clinicians were advised as appropriate. Outcomes of HIT in the surveillance group were compared with historical cases. During surveillance of 8,672 heparin courses, the incidence of HIT was 0.2%; however, the estimated rate in patients exposed to heparin for more than 4 days was 1.2%. Compared with historical HIT cases, the rate of thrombosis was reduced from 50% to 29% (p=0.39) during surveillance. The only patient factor associated with increased risk was the presence of cancer (p=0.03). This pharmacy surveillance method may have a role in improving outcomes of HIT.

Lay Summary People who have advanced myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) may live longer if they get a bone marrow transplant (BMT) instead of other therapies. However, only 15% of people with MDS actually get BMT. Experts say community physicians and transplant physicians should team up with insurance companies and patient advocacy groups to 1) spread this news about lifesaving advances in BMT, 2) ensure that everyone can afford health care, 3) provide emotional support for patients and families, 4) help patients and families get transportation and housing if they need to travel for transplant, and 5) improve care for people of under‐represented racial and ethnic backgrounds.