Neurosurgery clinics of North America
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Oct 2018
ReviewIntraoperative Blood and Coagulation Factor Replacement During Neurosurgery.
Intraoperative blood and coagulation factor transfusion is of particular importance to neurosurgeons. Maintaining the hematologic and coagulation parameters of the patient within normal limits during surgery is critical to facilitate normal hemostasis, reduce transfusion requirements, and prevent complications associated with excessive blood loss. In this article, the authors review topics relevant to intraoperative transfusion during neurosurgery, including laboratory studies and other diagnostic modalities available to help with decision making, blood components and coagulation factors currently available for transfusion, and indications for intraoperative transfusion during cranial and spinal neurosurgical procedures.
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Neurosurg. Clin. N. Am. · Oct 2018
ReviewManagement of Intracranial Hemorrhage in the Anticoagulated Patient.
Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (antithrombotic drugs) can cause or be associated with intracranial hemorrhage. Patients who take antithrombotic drugs are at higher risk for intracranial hemorrhage after trauma and are neurologically worse acutely compared with patients not on antithrombotic drugs. Treatment of patients on antithrombotic drugs who have intracranial hemorrhage includes reversal of anticoagulant drugs in almost all cases. This article is a synopsis of the data pertaining to intracranial hemorrhage and antithrombotic drugs and methods to diagnose the pharmacologic effects and to reverse the effects of these drugs in patients with traumatic or spontaneous intracranial hemorrhage.
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Intraoperative bleeding can be minimized with optimal preoperative preparation but cannot be completely prevented. There are circumstances when patients need emergent operative intervention, and thorough hemostatic evaluation and preparation is not possible. ⋯ The authors review the potential causes for intraoperative bleeding and the methods for rapid and accurate diagnosis. The authors summarize the current evidence for treatment options, including transfusion of platelets and coagulation factors and the use of topical agents, antidotes to direct-acting anticoagulants, antifibrinolytics, and desmopressin.
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Normal hemostasis provides for balanced interactions between the blood vessel wall, coagulation proteins, and platelets. After vascular injury, primary hemostasis and secondary hemostasis function in a coordinated fashion to stop bleeding. ⋯ Emerging coagulation tests are useful point-of-care assays that guide transfusion therapy and diagnose patients with hyperfibrinolysis. This article provides an overview of hemostasis, a summary of standard coagulation testing and point-of-care tests, and a brief review of coagulation test usefulness in neurosurgery, focusing on studies in patients with traumatic brain injury.