People treated with intravenous immune globulin (IVIg) products do not appear to be at increased risk for thromboembolic events, according to a meta-analysis of 31 randomized trials involving more than 4,100 individuals.

Investigators looked at the risk of serious thromboembolic events—including acute myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke, and venous thromboembolism—in trials over a 10-year period ending in 2015. Among the findings:

• There was no increase in risk of thromboembolic events in people treated with IVIg products compared with controls.

• There was no significant increase in risk when analyzing arterial and venous thromboembolic events as separate endpoints.

• Little information was available about how adverse events were evaluated.

The authors advised taking care in applying the results to those with higher risk of thromboembolic events.

Citation: Ammann E, Haskins C, Fillma K, et al. Intravenous immune globulin and thromboembolic adverse events: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Am J Hematol. 2016;91(6):594-605. doi:10.1002/ajh.24358.