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National Thrombosis Seminars

CanVECTOR Thrombosis Research Seminars are a series of live, monthly, virtual webinars featuring state-the-art thrombosis / venous thromboembolism (VTE) lectures presented by both Canadian and international experts!

The 2023-2024 series runs from November 2023 - May 2024. Registration is free and attendees are eligible for CME credits as the CanVECTOR National Thrombosis Seminars is a self-approved group learning activity (Section 1) as defined by the Maintenance of Certification Program of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

Upcoming Seminar

Past Seminars

Platelet Procoagulant Membrane Dynamics (PMD) Study - Mechanistic Insights and Clinical Translation

April 25, 2024 - 1:00-2:00pm (ET)

 

Featuring: Ejaife Agbani, PhD - University of Calgary

Moderator: Paul Jurasz, PhD - University of Alberta

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn about the dramatic morphological transformations of platelets during thrombosis and Haemostasis
  • Appreciate the function and mediators of Platelet PMD
  • Recognize the Translation Values of PMD Analysis

  

Catheter-directed Thrombectomy and ICU Care of PE

March 28, 2024 - 12:00-1:00pm (ET)

 

Featuring:

  • Ali Omar Abualsaud, MD - McGill University
  • Jed Lipes, MD - McGill University

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss how to classify and assess risk in acute PE;
  • Discuss the medical therapy and ICU management of high-risk PE;
  • Understand the role of novel catheter-based reperfusion therapy in PE

 

Antiphospholipid Syndrome: New Criteria, New Era?

February 6, 2024 - 2:00-3:00pm (ET)

 

Featuring:

  • Mark Crowther, MD, LLM - McMaster University
  • Antonio Cabral, MD - University of Ottawa

Learning Objectives:

  • Understand the Key Changes in the New Diagnostic Criteria: Gain a comprehensive understanding of the significant modifications and updates in the new diagnostic criteria for antiphospholipid antibody syndrome;
  • Analyze the Rationale Behind the Updates: Explore the scientific and clinical reasoning that led to the changes in the diagnostic criteria, including insights into the methodologies and evidence that supported these revisions;
  • Compare and Contrast with Previous Criteria: Compare the new diagnostic criteria and the previous standards, highlighting the advancements in understanding and diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome;
  • Implications for Clinical Practice: Examine the practical implications of these new criteria on clinical practice, including how they will affect the diagnosis process, patient management, and potential challenges in implementation.
  • Underline novel aspects of the 2023 ACR/EULAR antiphospholipid syndrome classification criteria;
  • Discuss that this classification finally acknowledges that APS may have multiple clinical expressions;
  • Use the case of thrombocytopenia to illustrate how the new set of criteria still uses self-evident expert opinions to classify what APS is and what is not

 

 

Transgender Health and VTE

January 8, 2024 - 11:00-12:00pm (ET)

 

Featuring:

  • Jean Connors, MD - Harvard University
  • Host: Camille Simard, MDCM, MSc 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Understand the rationale for use of hormone therapy in transgender patients.
  2. Appreciate the VTE risks associated with hormone therapy in transgender patients
  3. Recognize knowledge gaps in data for the care of transgender patients

 

Thromboprophylaxis in Hospitalized Acutely-ill Older Adult Medical Patients - The SYMPTOMS Trial

December 6, 2023 - 11:00-12:00pm (ET)

 

Featuring:

  • Grégoire Le Gal, MD, PhD - University of Ottawa, The Ottawa Hospital / Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.

Learning Objectives:

  • Review the rationale, design and results of the SYMPTOMS trial
  • Discuss challenges faced and lessons learned
  • Brainstorm on what should be the next study in the field

  

    

 

Innovative Pragmatic Trial Design: The iTADS Trial

November 9, 2023 - 1:00-2:00pm (ET)

 

Featuring:

  • Dean Fergusson, PhD, MHA, FCAHS - University of Ottawa
  • Host: Jameel Abdulrehman, MD, MSc, FRCPC - University of Toronto

Learning Objectives:

  • Learn about the features and opportunities of innovative pragmatic clinical trial designs including methodological, analytical, and ethical considerations
  • Learn through the example of the iTADS pragmatic trial evaluating the impact of red cell donor sex on recipient outcomes
  • Discuss opportunities and challenges of applying such trial designs in thrombosis research

  

2022-2023

News at XI: Moving Beyond the Factor Xa Inhibitors

Date: May 30, 2023 - 11:00-12:00pm (ET)

Featuring:

  • Jeffrey Weitz, MD, FRCPC, FACP, FCCP, McMaster University 

Learning Objectives:

  1. To review the differential role of factor XI in thrombosis and hemostasis
  2. To discuss the factor XI inhibitors under development
  3. To review the results of phase 2 trials and discuss the ongoing phase 3 trials with factor XI inhibitors
  4. To identify the opportunities and challenges for new anticoagulants

  Recording:

Use of Oral Anticoagulation in Patients with End-Stage Renal Disease

Date: April 26, 2023 - 11:00-12:00pm (ET)

Program & Speakers:

  • Thomas Mavrakanas MD, MSc, McGill University 
  • Alexander Benz, MD, MSc, McMaster University

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the risks of thrombotic and bleeding events in patient with end stage renal disease (ESRD)
  2. Interpret PK/PD data of direct oral anticoagulants in patients with ESRD
  3. Discuss the results from completed randomized trials of oral anticoagulation (OAC) in patients with atrial fibrillation and ESRD
  4. Summarize current guideline recommendations for the use of OAC in patients with ESRD

Recording: 

Whether, When, and How to Restart Anticoagulation after Bleeding

Date: March 27, 2023 - 11:00-12:00pm (ET)

Program & Speakers

  • Ashkan Shoamanesh, MD, FRCPC, McMaster University 
  • Deborah Siegal MD, MSc, FRCPC, University of Ottawa

Learning Objectives

    1. Counsel patients on the risk of serious anticoagulant-related bleeding
    2. Apply best practices to restarting anticoagulation after gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeding
    3. Apply principles of shared decision-making with patients/caregivers and other health providers to optimize management for individual patients

Video:

 

Disrupting Paradigms in the Diagnosis of Pulmonary Embolism

Date: February 9, 2023 - 10:00-11:00am (ET)

Program & Speakers:

  • Grégoire Le Gal, MD, PhD, University of Ottawa
  • Kerstin de Wit, MBCHB, BSC, MSC, MD, Queen's University

Learning Objectives:

  1. Review the practical application of clinical decision rules and current diagnostic algorithms
  2. Discuss alternatives to the use of clinical decision rules in the management of patients with suspected Pulmonary Embolism (PE)
  3. Review current role, and challenges in the use of ventilation perfusion scan for PE diagnosis

Recording

 

2022 ACCP Guidelines on Perioperative Antithrombotic Management: Controversies, Evidence Gaps, Future Research

Date: January 10, 2023 - 11:00-12:00pm (ET)

Program & Speakers

  • James Douketis, MD, McMaster University 

Learning Objectives

  1. Describe the process for developing the 2022 ACCP guidelines
  2. Review key (potentially controversial) recommendations from these guidelines and ‘behind the scenes’ rationale
  3. Identify gaps in knowledge that require further research

Recording

LMWH and Cancer Mortality: Basic Science for Pathophysiology with Insights from the PERIOP-01 Trial

Date: December 2, 2022 - 1:00-2:00pm (ET)

Program & Speakers

  • Marc Carrier, MD, MSc, University of Ottawa
  • Rebecca Auer, MD, MS, University of Ottawa

Learning Objectives:

  1. To understand the mechanisms linking hypercoagulability and metastatic disease following cancer surgery
  2. To briefly discuss potential antimetastatic properties of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH)
  3. To review the results of the PERIOP-01 trial assessing the role of extended duration thromboprophylaxis with LMWH in patients undergoing localized colorectal cancer resection

Learning Objectives

Prevention of VTE in pregnancy – are we making progress?

Date: November 2, 2022 - 10:00-11:00am (ET)

Program & Speakers

  • Saskia Middeldorp, MD, PhD, Radboud University

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe which anticoagulants are safe to use in pregnancy or postpartum
  2. Identify which pregnant patients merit antepartum and/or postpartum VTE prophylaxis
  3. Interpret the key results of the HIGHLOW study 

Recording                                       

2021-2022

Medical treatment of PTS - What are our options? What is the MUFFIN Trial?

 

Date: May 3, 2022 - 1:00-2:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Susan Kahn MD, MSc, FRCPC, McGill University
  • Jean-Philippe Galanaud, MD, PhD, University of Toronto

Learning Objectives:

  • To improve understanding of the medical treatment of PTS
  • To understand limitations of the treatment of PTS
  • To discuss the MUFFIN-Trial, an ongoing RCT of medical treatment of PTS

 

Outreach and Opportunity: Patient Engagement in VTE Research

 

Date: April 7, 2022 - 1:00-2:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Dr. Lisa Duffett & Ms. Carol West - Co-Leads of the CanVECTOR Patient Partners platform

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe elements of CanVECTOR’s Patient Partner Council
  2. Identify some current CanVECTOR projects with which patient partners are engaged
  3. Recognize the value of patient partners in VTE research

 

 

Trials and Tribulations of Claims-Based VTE Research

 

Date: March 14, 2022 - 1:00-2:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Vicky Tagalakis, MD, MSc, FRCPC, McGill University
  • Antonios Douros, MD (Dr. med), McGill University

Learning Objectives:

    1. Why claims-based VTE research is important
    2. Limitations of claims based-VTE research and solutions
    3. Leveraging an international collaboration to advance claims based VTE research

 

Venous Thromboembolism in Sickle Cell Disease: Risk, Prevention, and Management

 

Date: February 7, 2022 - 2:00-3:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Jameel Abdulrehman, MD, MSc, FRCPC, University of Toronto
  • Kevin Kuo, MD, MSc, FRCPC, University of Toronto

Learning Objectives:

  1. To understand the prothrombotic pathophysiology within sickle cell disease
  2. To identify risk factors for venous thromboembolism in sickle cell disease
  3. To be aware of strategies to decrease the risk of venous thromboembolism in sickle cell disease
  4. To have an approach to treatment of venous thromboembolism in sickle cell disease

 

A Long Journey in the Subsegmental Underworld of Pulmonary Embolism

 

Date: January 10, 2022 - 2:00-3:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Marc Carrier, MD, MSc, University of Ottawa
  • Gregoire Le Gal, MD, PhD, University of Ottawa

Learning Objectives:

    1. Review the rationale for the SSPE study: PE overdiagnosis, increase in SSPE diagnosis with modern chest imaging
    2. Review the diagnostic challenges and current guidelines on the management of SSPE
    3. Discuss the methods and results of the SSPE study
    4. Discuss implications for clinical practice and future/ongoing studies

 

Complement and Thrombosis

 

Date: December 9, 2021 - 2:00-3:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Dr. Christoph Licht, University of Toronto
  • Dr. Christopher Patriquin, University of Toronto.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Review the pathophysiology & diagnosis of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH)
  2. Discuss standard-of-care management of PNH
  3. Understand the risk of thrombosis in PNH and its treatment
  4. To understand the pathogenesis of TMA
  5. To understand the concept of the TMA spectrum
  6. To understand the principles of the management of TMA

 

Specificities of Pediatric Thrombosis Management

 

Date: October 4, 2021 - 3:00-4:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Dr. Uma Athale, MD, Associate Professor, Pediatrics, McMaster University
  • Dr. Ketan Kulkarni, MD, FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Dalhousie University.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Epidemiology of cancer-associated thrombosis in children
  2. Identify the difficulties in anticoagulation therapy in children with cancer
  3. Evaluate available evidence for management of anticoagulation therapy in cancer patients
  4. Future directions
  5. To explore current challenges in CVC-VTE
  6. Understand key clinical aspects of CVC-VTE
  7. Understand treatment recommendations for CVC-VTE
  8. Address controversies in nomenclature for CVC-VTE

Recording 

 

2020-2021

Testing for Venous Thrombosis: How can D-Dimer be your Friend?

 

Date: May 25, 2021 - 12:00-1:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Kerstin de Wit, MD, Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine, Queen's University.
  • Rita Selby, MD, Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine & Pathobiology at the University of Toronto.

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the various clinical decision rules available to diagnose venous thromboembolism
  2. Understand how D-dimer can help in decision making
  3. Recognize the pitfalls associated with this diagnostic strategy and how to overcome these

 

Bleeding & Anticoagulation

 

Date: April 27, 2021 - 12:00-1:00pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Lana Castellucci, MD,FRCPC, MSc, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. 
    • Presentation: COBRRA: Comparison of Bleeding Risk between Rivaroxaban and Apixaban for treatment of acute venous thromboembolism
  • Bethany Samuelson Bannow MD, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, U.S.A.  
    • Presentation: DOACS and Heavy Menstrual Bleeding

Learning Objectives:

  1. Review the risk of HMB in patients on DOACs
  2. Identify key time points at which to recognize and address HMB in the care of patients on DOACs
  3. Discuss complications of HMB
  4. Learn about the management of HMB in patients on DOACs
  5. Canadian epidemiology of Venous thromboembolism (VTE)
  6. Treatment of acute VTE: Warfarin and Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs); Focus on safety, and; Limitations of DOAC RCTs
  7. Rationale for COBRRA Trial

 

Thrombosis / Thromboprophylaxis in Patients with Myeloproliferative Neoplasms

 

Date: March 24, 2021 - 12:30 - 1:30 pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Anna Falanga, MD, Full professor of Hematology at University of Milan Bicocca and Chief of the Department of Immunohematology and Transfusion Medicine and the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Center, at the Hospital Papa Giovanni XXIII, in Bergamo, Italy.
  • Miriam Kimpton, MD, FRCPC, Thrombosis physician in the Division of Hematology at The Ottawa Hospital, an Associate Scientist with the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and an Assistant Professor in in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada. 

Learning Objectives:

  1. Describe the role of the JAK2 mutation
  2. Provide evidence for ASA thromboprophylaxis in MPN
  3. Describe rates of thrombosis/bleeding on ASA in JAK2MPN
  4. Describe DOACs in other patient populations
  5. Describe current thromboprophylaxis trials in MPN

 

 

Maternal Health & VTE

 

Date: February 24, 2021 - 11:00-12:00 pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Prof. Patricia Maguire, PhD, Professor, School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science at University College Dublin
  • Dr. Leslie Skeith, M.D., M.Sc., FRCPC, Clinical Assistant Professor in the Division of Hematology & Hematological Malignancies at University of Calgary

Learning Objectives:

  1. Recognize that the platelet releasate contains soluble and vesicular cargo.
  2. Describe the PALADIN (PlAteLet-bAsed DIagNositics) platform that uses platelets to understand health and disease
  3. Interpret AI_PREMie, a novel AI-based solution for the diagnosis and risk stratification of preeclampsia
  4. Assess how placing powerful machine learning into the hands of basic scientists and clinicians can transform diagnostic solutions for chronic diseases
  5. Review the risk of postpartum VTE and associated risk factors 
  6. Describe available evidence for postpartum thromboprophylaxis
  7. Review the rationale and updates for the pilot PARTUM trial

 

Statins & VTE Research

 

Date: January 28, 2021 - 2:30 - 3:30 pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Dr. Aurélien Delluc, MD, PhD, Professor of medicine and a scientific clinician in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology at the University of Ottawa.
  • Dr. Peter Gross, M.D., M.Sc., FRCPC, Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Thromboembolism at McMaster University and the Head of the Clinical Thrombosis Service at Hamilton Health Sciences.

Learning Objectives:

  1. To review the association between statins and risk for VTE and recurrent VTE
  2. To discuss future clinical studies on statins in VTE
  3. Understand how statins might have effects other than lowering cholesterol
  4. Appreciate the limitations of models of deep vein thrombosis and post-thrombotic syndrome.

 

Malignancy Screening in Patients with Unprovoked VTE

 

Date: November 24, 2020 - 12:00 - 1:00 pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Dr. Marc Carrier, Head of the Division of Hematology in the Department of Medicine at The Ottawa Hospital, a Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa.
  • Dr. Patricia Liaw, Professor in the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology and Thromboembolism,  McMaster University.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the rates of occult cancer detection following venous thromboembolism (VTE).
  • Discuss risk stratification and future occult cancer screening diagnostic modalities for patients with unprovoked VTE.
  • Select appropriate occult cancer screening strategies (limited vs. extended) in this patient population.
  • Describe how Virchow’s triad contributes to thrombosis in cancer patients
  • Describe how anti-cancer therapies contribute to the hypercoagulable state in cancer patients
  • Describe how immune cells promote thrombosis in the setting of cancer

 

COVID-19-VTE Research: Concept of Immunothrombosis

 

Date: September 21, 2020  -12:00 - 1:00 pm (ET)

Speakers:

  • Dr. Tobias Tritschler, General Internal Medicine physician at University of Bern, Switzerland
  • Dr. Edward Conway, Director of the Centre for Blood Research and Professor of Department of Medicine at University of British Columbia, Canada

Learning Objectives:

  1. To review the incidence of VTE in COVID-19
  2. To introduce the concept of immunothrombosis
  3. To understand the potential role of immunothrombosis in COVID-19