Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine (Oct 2021)

Long-Term Survival After Venous Thromboembolism: A Prospective Cohort Study

  • Henning Nilius,
  • Henning Nilius,
  • Tamara Mertins,
  • Robin Boss,
  • Matthias Knuchel,
  • Eva Blozik,
  • Johanna Anna Kremer Hovinga,
  • Sabine Eichinger,
  • Michael Nagler,
  • Michael Nagler

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fcvm.2021.749342
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8

Abstract

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Background: Little is known about long-term survival after the initial treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE). In a prospective cohort study, we aimed to assess the long-term mortality and key predictor variables relating to disease severity, treatment intensity, and comorbidities.Materials and Methods: Between 1988 and 2018, 6,243 consecutive patients with VTE from a University outpatient unit were prospectively included and followed until December 2019; clinical characteristics, measures of disease severity, and treatment details were recorded. Dates of death were retrieved from the Swiss Central Compensation Office.Results: Overall, 254 deaths occurred over an observation period of 57,212 patient-years. Compared to the Swiss population, the standardized mortality ratio was 1.30 (95% CI: 1.14, 1.47; overall mortality rate: 4.44 per 1,000 patient-years). The following predictors were associated with increased mortality: Unprovoked VTE (hazard ratio [HR]: 5.06; 95% CI: 3.29, 7.77), transient triggering risk factors (HR: 3.46; 95% CI: 2.18, 5.48), previous VTE (HR: 2.05; 95% CI: 1.60, 2.62), pulmonary embolism (HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.10, 1.89), permanent anticoagulant treatment (HR: 3.14; 95% CI: 2.40, 4.12), prolonged anticoagulant treatment (7–24 months; HR: 1.70; 95% CI: 1.16, 2.48), and cardiovascular comorbidities. Unprovoked VTE, previous VTE, permanent and prolonged anticoagulation remain independent risk factors after adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities.Conclusion: Survival after VTE was significantly reduced compared to the Swiss general population, especially in patients with more severe disease, cardiovascular comorbidities, and longer anticoagulant treatment.

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