Thrombosis research
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Thrombosis research · Mar 2014
Measurement of thrombin generation intra-operatively and its association with bleeding tendency after cardiac surgery.
Patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are susceptible to haemostatic disturbances. Monitoring the haemostatic capacity by conventional clotting tests is challenging. ⋯ TG can be determined during CPB despite the high heparinization level, it reflects the haemostatic capacity better than clotting-based assays and might better predict bleeding when performed intraoperatively.
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Thrombosis research · Mar 2014
Microparticle-associated tissue factor activity correlates with plasma levels of bacterial lipopolysaccharides in meningococcal septic shock.
The plasma level of bacterial lipopolysaccharides (LPS) is associated with activation of the coagulation system, inhibition of fibrinolysis and the nature of the clinical presentation and outcome in patients with meningococcal disease. Tissue factor (TF)-bearing microparticles (MPs) appear to contribute to the pathogenesis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between MP-associated TF activity and the level of bacterial LPS in plasma from patients with meningococcal septic shock and meningitis. ⋯ MPs obtained from patients with meningococcal septic shock displayed more efficient TF-dependent thrombin generation and clot formation compared to MPs from meningitis patients. MP-associated TF activity was closely associated with plasma LPS levels in the septic shock group.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2014
ReviewUse of antiplatelet agents in sepsis: a glimpse into the future.
As mechanisms of sepsis pathophysiology have been elucidated with time, sepsis may be considered nowadays, as an uncontrolled inflammatory and pro-coagulant response to a pathogen. In this cascade of events, platelets play a key role, via interaction with endothelial cells and modulation of both innate and adaptive immune system. ⋯ Clinical data in patients hospitalized for pneumonia, at risk for acute lung injury, and/or critically ill revealed an association between antiplatelet therapy and reduction in both short-term mortality and prevalence of acute lung injury, as well as, the need for intensive care unit admission, without a concomitant increased bleeding risk. In need of innovative approach in the treatment of sepsis, further prospective, interventional, randomized trials are pivotal to establish potential use of antiplatelet agents in this context.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2014
ReviewManaging pulmonary embolism from presentation to extended treatment.
Pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a major healthcare problem. PE presents with a variety of non-specific symptoms, and confirmation of diagnosis involves the use of clinical risk scores, scanning techniques and laboratory tests. Treatment choice is informed by the risk of sudden death, with high-risk patients recommended to receive thrombolytic therapy or thrombectomy. ⋯ Rivaroxaban and apixaban alone, and dabigatran and edoxaban after parenteral anticoagulant induction, were non-inferior to enoxaparin/VKA for the prevention of recurrent venous thromboembolism; the risk of major bleeding was similar with dabigatran and edoxaban and significantly reduced with rivaroxaban and apixaban. Patients with an initial PE are recommended to receive continued anticoagulation for 3 months or longer, depending on individual risk factors, and studies of non-VKA oral anticoagulants have shown a continued benefit for up to 2 years, without a significantly increased risk of major bleeding. Given that the non-VKA oral anticoagulants are given at fixed doses without the need for routine coagulation monitoring, their adoption is likely to ease the burden on both PE patients and healthcare practitioners when longer-term or extended anticoagulation is warranted.
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Thrombosis research · Feb 2014
High on clopidogrel treatment platelet reactivity is frequent in acute and rare in elective stenting and can be functionally overcome by switch of therapy.
The benefit of adjusted antiplatelet therapy in patients with myocardial infarction after primary percutaneous coronary intervention is not well elucidated. We aimed to identify patients with high on treatment platelet reactivity and to gradually adjust antiplatelet therapy. ⋯ Patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention may benefit from prospective platelet function testing, because of higher platelet reactivity and much higher ratio of clopidogrel real non-response. Switch of therapy may effectively overcome clopidogrel non-response. A new appearance of high platelet reactivity with unknown clinical significance is observed in both groups among the patients on clopidogrel.