Research deepens understanding of rare vaccine-induced blood clotting condition

A national study involving UCL has deepened understanding of the symptoms, signs and outcomes of patients with a novel blood-clotting condition associated with the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. The rare condition, known as vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (VITT), is characterised by a blockage of veins and a marked reduction of platelets, which are an important part of the blood clotting system. VITT was first identified in the UK by Professor Marie Scully (UCL Institute of Cardiovascular Science), also a Consultant Haematologist at UCLH, and Dr Will Lester from University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust. The new research paper, published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), reports on the first 220 cases of definite and probable VITT in the UK. The paper is based on cases of VITT presented by 182 consultant haematologists from 96 NHS Trusts, and builds on understanding about the condition outlined in an April 2021 NEJM paper led by Professor Scully which reported on 23 early cases of VITT. Meanwhile, a study led by Dr Richard Perry (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology and UCLH) published in the Lancet earlier this month provided the most detailed observations so far of cases of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) caused by VITT. CVT is the commonest and severest manifestation of VITT.