Pharmacotherapy
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Dexmedetomidine Alleviates Postpartum Depressive Symptoms following Cesarean Section in Chinese Women: A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Study.
Few studies have investigated the prophylactic efficacy of dexmedetomidine (DEX) in postpartum depressive symptoms (PDS). A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted to investigate whether the administration of DEX, immediately after delivery and for patient-controlled intravenous analgesia (PCIA), can attenuate PDS. ⋯ The application of DEX in the early postpartum period can significantly attenuate the incidence of postpartum depressive disorders.
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Nonopioid strategies to optimize pain management in patients after liver transplantation remain underexplored. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the use of a multimodal pain management (MPM) order set would reduce postoperative opioid use in adult patients after liver transplantation. ⋯ Implementation of the MPM order set significantly reduced postoperative opioid use in liver transplant recipients. Our results provide a compelling rationale to further investigate the use of a non-opioid-centered strategy to optimize pain management in patients recovering from liver transplantation, a population vulnerable to the risks of opioid use such as opioid use disorder, increased susceptibility to adverse effects, and poor allograft and survival outcomes.
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Gabapentin has been proved to be beneficial in promoting abstinence, decreasing alcohol cravings, and improving mood and sleep quality when given at higher doses; however, data are limited regarding the efficacy and safety of using high-dose gabapentin as part of the treatment of alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of high-dose gabapentin on benzodiazepine requirements, alcohol withdrawal symptoms, and hospital length of stay in patients hospitalized with AWS. ⋯ Early initiation of high-dose gabapentin was associated with a significant reduction in benzodiazepine exposure, faster stabilization of alcohol withdrawal-related symptoms, and shorter hospital length of stay. Future studies evaluating gabapentin's effect on long-term safety and hospital readmission are warranted.
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Review
Potential Role of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in the Management of Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare, potentially life-threatening condition secondary to unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin exposure. This immune-mediated drug reaction manifests as thrombocytopenia with a paradoxical hypercoagulable state that can result in life-threatening thrombosis. It is imperative to ensure cessation of heparin-based products as soon as HIT is identified. ⋯ Twenty-seven articles met inclusion criteria for review: 1 prospective trial, 5 retrospective cohort studies, and 21 case reports totaling 104 patients treated with a DOAC for HIT. The DOACs prevented new and recurrent thrombosis in 98% (n=102) of cases, and bleeding complications occurred in 3% (n=3). While current literature remains limited, it is suggestive of a potential role of DOACs for HIT, which has led to their integration into the 2018 American Society Hematology Guidelines with a conditional recommendation.
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Continuous intravenous (IV) infusion bumetanide has been associated with severe myalgia in case reports, and the package labeling lists a reported incidence of 0.2% for severe myalgia. The primary objective of this study was to quantify the incidence of bumetanide infusion-induced severe myalgia in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Secondary objectives were to assess a dose-response relationship between bumetanide infusion rate and occurrence of myalgia and to investigate potential risk factors associated with bumetanide-induced myalgia. ⋯ The incidence of severe myalgia in patients with AHF receiving bumetanide infusion was 5.8%, 29-fold higher than incidence rate listed in the package labeling. Patients receiving infusion rates > 1 mg/hour were 4-fold more likely to experience bumetanide-induced severe myalgia than those receiving rates ≤ 1 mg/hour.