Thrombosis research
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyExcluding pulmonary embolism at the bedside with low pre-test probability and D-dimer: safety and clinical utility of 4 methods to assign pre-test probability.
Less than 35% of patients suspected of having pulmonary embolism (PE) actually have PE. Safe bedside methods to exclude PE could save scarce health care resources if they exclude large proportions of patients with suspected PE and are widely applicable. Non-Elisa D-dimer in combination with pre-test probability of suspected PE can safely exclude PE at the bedside. Pre-test probability can be assigned by gestalt or by using clinical models (Wells, Wicki, Rodger). ⋯ Semi-quantitative D-dimer must be combined with safe clinical probability assessment to safely exclude PE in a significant proportion of patients. Wicki's model in association with semi-quantitative D-dimer has the lowest sensitivity and should be used carefully to exclude PE at the bedside. The Wells' model with a cutoff of less than 2 points when combined with semi-quantitative D-dimer excluded very few patients and therefore limits its clinical utility.
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2006
Venous thromboembolism among United States soldiers deployed to Southwest Asia.
Military operations may represent a high-risk environment for venous thromboembolism (VTE). We sought to identify and describe cases of venous thromboembolism among US military personnel serving in Southwest Asia, and estimate relative disease rates compared to non-deployed personnel. ⋯ VTE rates among deployed soldiers are relatively low compared to the general population, and are comparable to non-deployed soldiers. Fatalities from PE are not uncommon, and vigilance among clinicians remains warranted. Trauma followed by prolonged air evacuation or ground transport during military operations may represent unique interactive risk factors for venous thromboembolism.
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Plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is considered to be the main inhibitor of fibrinolysis in sepsis. However, the contribution of TAFI to the inhibition of fibrinolysis in sepsis is currently unknown. ⋯ Although inhibition in sepsis is mediated by both, PAI-1 might be involved early in the sepsis process, whereas TAFI might be responsible for ongoing fibrinolysis inhibition in later stages of sepsis.
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyGene--nutrition interactions in coronary artery disease: correlation between the MTHFR C677T polymorphism and folate and homocysteine status in a Korean population.
Elevated plasma total homocysteine is a major risk for coronary artery disease (CAD). Methyltetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) is a main regulatory enzyme in homocysteine metabolism; a common C677T mutation in the MTHFR gene results in decreased enzyme activity, and contributes to increased homocysteine levels and decreased folate levels. We investigated the frequency of MTHFR C677T alleles in a Korean population, determined the genotype-specific threshold levels of folate or vitamin B12, and investigated the relationship between the TT genotype and the risk of CAD. ⋯ We were able to define a gene-nutrient interaction that shows a higher risk for CAD based on specific threshold folate levels required by different MTHFR C677T genotypes in a Korean population.
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2006
In vitro fibrin clot formation and fibrinolysis using heterozygous plasma fibrinogen from gammaAsn319, Asp320 deletion dysfibrinogen, Otsu I.
We have reported a heterozygous dysfibrinogenemia, fibrinogen Otsu I, caused by the deletion of gammaAsn319 and gammaAsp320, which was originally identified in the dysfibrinogen Vlissingen/Frankfurt IV (V/FIV) associated with thrombosis. Unlike the V/FIV family, the Otsu propositus showed no thrombotic tendencies. To analyze the relationship between thrombosis and the heterozygous plasma variant fibrinogen, we used purified plasma fibrinogen from the Otsu patient and compared it with a normal control. ⋯ Polymerization of Otsu was markedly impaired, while fibrin fibers were much thicker and the density of the bundles of fibrin fibers was less and porous compared with normal. Lysis of the Otsu clot was not significantly different from normal when a tPA and plasminogen mixture was overlaid onto the clots. For Otsu, the penetration of the tPA/plasminogen mixture into the clot was much faster than normal and the protection against plasmin cleavage was impaired; however, tPA-induced plasmin activation of the Otsu fibrin was slower than that of normal fibrin, resulting in a clot lysis of Otsu similar to normal.