Thrombosis research
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialRetrograde lung perfusion in the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism. A randomised porcine study.
The treatment of massive pulmonary embolisms with an associated cardiac arrest is controversial; however, surgical thrombectomy with extracorporeal circulation (ECC) is an option for treatment. It is difficult to remove all thromboembolic material. Theoretically, retrograde blood perfusion through the lungs may be beneficial. ⋯ Retrograde lung perfusion was not generally beneficial in the treatment of massive pulmonary embolism in this setup; however, it may be an option if only a modest amount of material is accessible in the pulmonary artery.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2015
ReviewThe use of aspirin for primary and secondary prevention in venous thromboembolism and other cardiovascular disorders.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) includes a number of conditions such as myocardial infarction, coronary heart disease, stroke, and venous thromboembolism. CVD is a leading health problem worldwide and a major cause of mortality, morbidity, and disability; it is also associated with high healthcare costs. The incidence of CVD is predicted to increase in the forthcoming years, and thus it is crucial that physicians are aware of the benefits and limitations of the available therapies to ensure patients receive optimized treatment. ⋯ The benefits of aspirin are well documented and supported by data from robust clinical trials for CVD conditions, such as acute coronary syndrome and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. However, the clinical benefits of aspirin are less clear for other conditions, namely for primary prevention of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery, particularly in comparison with newer drugs such as the direct oral anticoagulants. This article provides an outline of the current guidelines and a critical assessment of the efficacy and safety data supporting the recommendations for the use of aspirin in the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism and other cardiovascular disorders.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2015
ReviewTranexamic acid--an old drug still going strong and making a revival.
Experience with tranexamic acid, an indirect fibrinolytic inhibitor, started as soon as it was released from Shosuke Okamoto's lab in the early 1960s. It was first prescribed to females with heavy menstrual blood loss and to patients with hereditary bleeding disorders. Soon the indications were widened to elective surgery because of its blood saving effects. ⋯ Of utmost importance is the ongoing WOMAN (World Maternal Antifibrinolytic) a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled trial among 15,000 with clinical diagnosis of postpartum haemorrhage bearing in mind that each year a large number of women in low and middle income countries, die from causes related to childbirth. In summary, we consider tranexamic acid is a drug of great value to reduce almost any kind of bleeding, it is cheap and convenient to use and has principally few contraindications. It may be added, that tranexamic acid is included in the WHOs list of essential medicines.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2015
ReviewNew anticoagulants in the management of venous thromboembolism in women.
Objective diagnosis and treatment are important in optimizing clinical outcomes in patients with venous thromboembolism (VTE), and anticoagulants are the mainstay of treatment. Traditionally, anticoagulant therapy involves parenteral anticoagulants, overlapping with and followed by oral vitamin K antagonists. Recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), including the Factor Xa inhibitors rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban, and the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran etexilate, have been developed to address limitations associated with traditional anticoagulant therapy. ⋯ Successful phase III trials have demonstrated their efficacy for the treatment of DVT and PE, with a potentially improved safety profile. Recent evidence suggests that women bleed more compared to men when treated with DOACs for VTE without differences in treatment efficacy. Future clinical trials should include outcomes stratified by sex, and should investigate the clinical impact of this sex-related safety difference.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2015
Outcome of central venous catheter associated upper extremity deep vein thrombosis in cancer patients.
Data on efficacy and safety of using low molecular weight heparin in cancer patients with catheter-related upper extremity deep vein thrombosis is scarce and the risk of recurrent venous thromboembolism after discontinuation of anticoagulation is unknown. ⋯ The risk of venous thromboembolism recurrence in patients whose central venous catheter has been pulled out and cancer is in remission appears low following anticoagulation discontinuation and after a minimum of 3 months of full/intermediate dose.