n-3 PUFA delivered by fish oil supplements alter the number and functions of circulating extracellular vesicles (EV), but consumption of oily fish does not reproduce this effect. In order to assess the effects of fish oil supplements and oily fish, at a level achievable in the diet, on EV numbers, composition and procoagulant activity in healthy human volunteers, forty-two healthy subjects were assigned to one of three treatment groups: (i) fish oil supplements plus white fish meals, (ii) control supplements plus oily fish meals or (iii) control supplements plus white fish meals for 12 weeks in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel trial; circulating EV were enumerated and their procoagulant activity assessed using thrombin generation and fibrinolysis assays. Our results showed that fish oil supplements decreased circulating EV numbers and reduced EV-stimulated thrombin generation, but the consumption of oily fish at half the dose of EPA had no effect on either EV number or thrombogenic capacity. Consumption of both oily fish and fish oil supplements increased the EPA and DHA contents of EV, and the proportion of EPA in circulating EV was strongly associated with EV-stimulated thrombin generation. This study revealed that the additional 1 g/d EPA delivered in the fish oil supplements is required to decrease the numbers and thrombogenic capacity of EV, since oily fish at a level achievable in the diet had no effect. Increasing EPA intake beyond current guidelines for oily fish consumption may therefore be required for cardiovascular benefits relating to EV.

A randomised parallel intervention study was conducted with male patients diagnosed with CHD. Participants were assigned to three groups: Group A abstained from alcohol (n 20), Group B consumed red wine (n 21) and Group C (n 16) consumed an alcoholic beverage without wine micro-constituents. Biological samples were collected at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks. Enzyme activities of acetyl-CoA:lyso-platelet-activating factor (PAF) acetyltransferase, cytidine 5’-diphospho (CDP)-choline:1-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol cholinephosphotransferase (PAF-cholinephosphotransferase), PAF-acetylhydrolase in leukocyte homogenates, serum lipoprotein-associated phospholipase-A2 and plasma markers of thrombosis were measured. PAF-, ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation was measured in human platelet-rich plasma. Red wine consumption led to a 15·3 % reduction in LysoPAF-acetyltransferase activity at 4 weeks (P= 0·008) compared with baseline and Group A (P= 0·01). PAF-cholinephosphotransferase activity was reduced by 11·1 % at 8 weeks (P= 0·04) compared with baseline and by 24·9 % compared with Group C (P= 0·02). PAF-acetylhydrolase activity was reduced by 36·2 % at 8 weeks compared with baseline (P= 0·001) and compared with Group A (P< 0·000) and Group C (P= 0·009). Fibrinogen levels in Group B reduced by 6–9 % at 4 (P= 0·04) and 8 weeks (P= 0·01) compared with baseline while D-dimer in Group C increased by 16·1 % at 8 weeks (P= 0·005) compared with baseline. Platelet aggregation against PAF and collagen was reduced in Group B (82·6 and 35·4 %, respectively), and in Group C (158·4 and 37·1 %, respectively) compared with baseline and Group A (P< 0·05). In conclusion, moderate wine consumption improved the activity of PAF-metabolism enzymes regardless of ethanol and reduced platelet aggregation, probably through mechanisms different from those of ethanol.

We report on a 7-month-old boy (4.2 kg/60 cm) with severe immunodeficiency disorder and bacterial septicaemia who was referred for an infected atrial thrombus secondary to a jugular central line. The echocardiogram showed a teardrop-shaped thrombus with a wide base adherent to the interatrial wall and a flimsy tail moving freely in the right atrium. Chest CT scan showed multiple lesions in both lungs consistent with infected micro-thrombi. The thrombus increased in size despite 2 weeks of antibiotics and anticoagulation. We applied the Indigo® Lightning® 7 aspiration system from Penumbra® (Alameda, USA) and removed percutaneously the thrombus under transoesophageal ultrasound and biplane fluoroscopic guidance. At 6 weeks of follow-up, the patient is alive, under enoxaparin with no procedure-related complication.

Thrombosis is a common disorder with a relevant burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among elderly patients. Growing evidence demonstrated a direct role of oxidative stress in thrombosis, with various cell types contributing to this process. Among them, erythrocytes produce high quantities of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by NADPH oxidase activation and haemoglobin autoxidation. Concomitantly, extracellular ROS released by other cells in the blood flow can be uptaken and accumulate within erythrocytes. This oxidative milieu can alter erythrocyte membrane structure, leading to an impaired erythrocyte function, and promoting erythrocytes lysis, binding to endothelial cells, activation of platelet and of coagulation factors, phosphatidylserine exposure and release of microvesicles. Moreover, these abnormal erythrocytes are able to adhere to the vessel wall, contributing to thrombin generation within the thrombus. This process results in accelerated haemolysis and in a hypercoagulable state, in which structurally impaired erythrocytes contribute to increase thrombus size, to reduce its permeability and susceptibility to lysis. However, the wide plethora of mechanisms by which oxidised erythrocytes contribute to thrombosis is not completely elucidated. This review discusses the main biochemical aspects linking erythrocytes, oxidative stress and thrombosis, addressing their potential implication for clinical and therapeutic management.

A 6-year-old boy, born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, underwent total cavopulmonary connection and later presented in a significantly deteriorated condition. A CT scan revealed multiple thrombi in the extracardiac conduit, although the patient was maintained on an effective anticoagulant therapy. Further examination revealed anamnestic antibodies suggesting that the patient had gone through a clinically inapparent COVID-19 infection, which we conclude most likely contributed to his hypercoagulable state and led to the formation of significant thrombi impairing the patient’s haemodynamics. The patient underwent a surgical thrombectomy; there were no post-operative thrombotic complications.

Acute stent thrombosis may complicate neonatal arterial duct stenting for reduced pulmonary blood flow. Thrombolytic agents recanalise the clot but may cause bleeding around the vascular sheaths and other sites. Since early thrombus is platelet mediated, intravenous platelet glycoprotein inhibitor like eptifibatide is likely to be effective, but rarely utilised in neonates. Ductal stent thrombosis treated with eptifibatide is reported.

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid, ASA) is inexpensive and is established in preventing cardiovascular disease (CVD) and colorectal adenomas. Omega-3 (n3) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) have also shown benefit in preventing CVD. The combination could be an effective preventative measure in patients with such diseases. ASA and n3 PUFA reduced the risk of CVD in ASA-resistant or diabetic patients. EPA- and DHA-deficient patients also benefited the most from n3 PUFA supplementation. Synergistic effects between ASA and EPA and DHA are ‘V-shaped’ such that optimal ASA efficacy is dependent on EPA and DHA concentrations in blood. In colorectal adenomas, ASA (300 mg/d) and EPA reduced adenoma burden in a location- and subtype-specific manner. Low doses of ASA (75–100 mg/d) were used in CVD prevention; however, ultra-low doses (30 mg/d) can also reduce thrombosis. EPA-to-DHA ratio is also important with regard to efficacy. DHA is more effective in reducing blood pressure and modulating systemic inflammation; however, high-dose EPA can lower CVD events in high-risk individuals. Although current literature has yet to examine ASA and DHA in preventing CVD, such combination warrants further investigation. To increase adherence to ASA and n3 PUFA supplementation, combination dosage form may be required to improve outcomes.

Bleeding in the perioperative period of congenital heart surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass is associated with increased morbidity and mortality both from the direct effects of haemorrhage as well as the therapies deployed to restore haemostasis. Perioperative bleeding is complex and multifactorial with both patient and procedural contributions. Moreover, neonates and infants are especially at risk. The objective of this review is to summarise the evidence regarding bleeding management in paediatric surgical patients and identify strategies that might facilitate appropriate bleeding management while minimising the risk of thrombosis. We will address the use of standard and point-of-care tests, and the role of contemporary coagulation factors and other novel drugs.

Symptomatic presentation of ductal arteriosus aneurysm is usually a consequence of associated complications, including thromboembolism, infection, and compression of adjacent structures. In this case report, we present a thrombosed ductal aneurysm that developed antenatally with further postnatal progression of the thrombus and complete occlusion of the left pulmonary artery. Urgent surgical thrombectomy was successful and the post-operative course was uneventful.