Thrombosis research
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2010
The risk of false results in the assessment of platelet function in the absence of antiplatelet medication: comparison of the PFA-100, multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry and verify now assays.
Evaluation of aspirin (ASA) responsiveness with platelet function tests varies by the choice of blood mixture and functional test and cut off values for defining the the treatment used. Addition to that we also aimed to determine agreement between three tests and to research whether there is any necessity to measure baseline platelet activity. ⋯ Verify Now ASA assay, multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry and PFA-100 seem to be reliable tests in reflecting ASA effect on platelets. Cut off labels for the defining the responsiveness given by manufacturer may show significant interindividual variability with Verify Now ASA assay and multiplate electrical impedance aggregometry, and these test may show platelet inhibition despite the absence of ASA intake. Consideration of the pretreatment values may eliminate the risk of overestimation in the assessment of platelet inhibition by ASA.
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2010
Trends in mortality of pulmonary embolism--an international comparison.
Evidence from several clinical and epidemiological studies suggests a decreasing incidence and mortality of pulmonary embolism (PE), but results are still controversial. We analysed time trends of fatal pulmonary embolism in several countries across Europe and North America. ⋯ While comparison of cause of death data over time and across countries should be undertaken with caution due to inaccuracies in assigning the cause of death and national conventions in coding, the general trend of a decline in PE mortality could not be shown in several European countries.
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2010
ReviewAntimetastatic activities of heparins and modified heparins. Experimental evidence.
Heparin is commonly used for prevention or treatment of cancer-associated thromboembolism. Recent clinical evidence indicates that heparin, and low-molecular weight heparin improves survival of cancer patients. ⋯ The delineation of antimetastatic activity of heparin is in the focus of several ongoing investigations. This review summarizes the current experimental evidence on the biology of heparin as a potential treatment cancer progression.
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2010
Risk of thrombosis and infections of central venous catheters and totally implanted access ports in patients treated for cancer.
Thrombosis and infections are well known complications of central venous catheters and totally implanted access ports. These complications lead to increased costs due to prolonged hospitalisation, increased antibiotics use and need for replacement. The objectives of the study were to document the occurrence of catheter related thrombosis and infections in patients with central venous catheters and totally implanted chest ports in cancer patients and to investigate whether factor V Leiden is a risk factor for catheter related thrombosis. ⋯ A higher incidence of catheter related infections was observed in patients with central venous catheters in contrast to patients with totally implanted access ports were venous thrombosis was more frequent.