Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH
-
J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2014
ReviewAnticoagulant therapy for sepsis-associated disseminated intravascular coagulation: the view from Japan.
The current management of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is based on aggressive treatment of the underlying condition and resuscitation with appropriate blood products. Anticoagulant therapy has appeared and disappeared in the different guidelines and important documents detailing the treatment of DIC. For example, Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) guidelines, the 'global standard' for the management of severe sepsis, had recombinant activated protein C highly recommended in the original version, but this was withdrawn in the latest version due to the lack of evidence. ⋯ Once again, the natural anticoagulants have an important function in neutralizing the effects of DAMPs and histones. In this review, in addition to examining the important role of anticoagulants in the septic milieu, the clinical studies examining antithrombin, recombinant thrombomodulin and plasma-derived activated protein C are detailed. However, large-scale randomized controlled trials are yet to be performed, with important consideration of the timing, dosage and duration of treatment.
-
J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2014
Abnormal plasma clot structure and stability distinguish bleeding risk in patients with severe factor XI deficiency.
Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. Many patients with even very low FXI levels (< 20 IU dL(-1) ) are asymptomatic or exhibit only mild bleeding, whereas others experience severe bleeding, usually following trauma. Neither FXI antigen nor activity predicts the risk of bleeding in FXI-deficient patients. ⋯ Plasma clot structure and stability assays distinguished non-bleeders from bleeders. These assays may reveal hemostatic mechanisms in FXI-deficient patients and have clinical utility for assessing the risk of bleeding.
-
J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2014
Review Meta AnalysisCentral venous catheter-related thrombosis and thromboprophylaxis in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
In preparation for a pediatric randomized controlled trial on thromboprophylaxis, we determined the frequency of catheter-related thrombosis in children. We also systematically reviewed the pediatric trials on thromboprophylaxis to evaluate its efficacy and to identify possible pitfalls in the conduct of these trials. ⋯ Catheter-related thrombosis is common in children. An adequately powered multicenter trial that can detect a modest, clinically significant reduction in thrombosis is critically needed. Missing outcome data should be minimized in this trial.
-
J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2014
Meta AnalysisImpact of the efficacy of thrombolytic therapy on the mortality of patients with acute submassive pulmonary embolism: a meta-analysis.
The efficacy of thrombolytic therapy in patients with submassive pulmonary embolism (PE) remains unclear. Previous meta-analyses have not separately reported the proportion of patients with submassive PE. ⋯ This meta-analysis shows that adjunctive thrombolytic therapy does not significantly reduce the risk of mortality or recurrent PE in patients with acute submassive PE, but that adjuvant thrombolytic therapy prevents clinical deterioration requiring the escalation of treatment in patients with acute submassive PE. Bleeding risk assessment might be the most successful approach for improving clinical outcomes and patient-specific benefit.
-
J. Thromb. Haemost. · Jul 2014
Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of the efficacy and safety of new oral anticoagulants in patients with cancer-associated acute venous thromboembolism.
Treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE) in cancer patients is challenging, owing to a high risk of recurrent VTE and bleeding complications. The anticoagulants of choice are low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs), because of a proven higher efficacy than vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) and a similar bleeding profile. The recently introduced new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have the potential to be alternative options for these patients, as these drugs share practical advantages with LMWH, are administered orally, and had similar efficacy to VKAs but a lower bleeding risk in phase 3 studies in the general VTE population. ⋯ Five studies were included, with 19 060 patients, of whom 973 (5.1%) had active cancer. The pooled incidence rates of recurrent VTE were 4.1% (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.6-6.0) in cancer patients treated with NOACs, and 6.1% (95% CI 4.1-8.5) in patients treated with VKAs (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.38-1.2). The pooled incidence rates of major or non-major clinically relevant bleeding were 15% (95% CI 12-18) in cancer patients treated with NOACs, and 16% (95% CI 9.9-22) in patients treated with VKAs (RR 0.94, 95% CI 0.70-1.3). These results form a solid basis for the initiation of a head-to-head comparison of NOACs with LMWH in cancer patients.