Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international journal in haemostasis and thrombosis
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Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialContinuous or discontinuous tranexamic acid effectively inhibits fibrinolysis in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass.
Tranexamic acid is given continuously or discontinuously as an anti-fibrinolytic therapy during cardiac surgery, but the effects on fibrinolysis parameters remain poorly investigated. We sought to assess the effects of continuous and discontinuous tranexamic acid on fibrinolysis parameters in children undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). Children requiring cardiac surgery or repeat surgery by sternotomy with CPB for congenital heart disease were randomized to receive either continuous or discontinuous tranexamic acid. ⋯ Tranexamic acid inhibited the CPB-induced increase in D-dimers, with a similar potency between continuous and discontinuous regimens. Time courses for tPA, fibrin monomers, and fibrinogen were also similar for both regimen, and there was a significant difference in tPA-PAI1 complex concentrations at the end of surgery, which may be related to a significantly higher tranexamic acid concentration. Continuous and discontinuous regimen are suitable for an effective inhibition of fibrinolysis in children undergoing cardiac surgery with CPB, but the continuous regimen was previously shown to be more effective to maintain stable tranexamic acid concentrations.
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Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis · Mar 2014
Case ReportsManagement of severe bleeding in a ruptured extrauterine pregnancy: a theragnostic approach.
Haemoperitoneum due to ruptured extrauterine pregnancy is a complication that may occur in the first trimester of pregnancy, but massive haemorrhage with severe shock is rare. When severe bleeding does occur, timely diagnosis and rapid haemostatic treatment are vital. We present the case of a 37-year-old woman with severe bleeding and shock due to ruptured extrauterine pregnancy. ⋯ Surgery was successfully completed, and the patient was subsequently discharged 5 days after admission with no further complications. Haemorrhage in extrauterine pregnancy is commonly managed using autologous blood transfusion (via cell salvage) and homologous plasma transfusion. In this case of severe bleeding and shock due to ruptured extrauterine pregnancy, thromboelastometry-guided administration of fibrinogen concentrate enabled rapid restoration of haemostasis, complete avoidance of FFP transfusion and resulted in a successful outcome.
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Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis · Mar 2014
Plasma D-dimer and in-hospital mortality in patients with Stanford type A acute aortic dissection.
Plasma D-dimer has been used as a complementary initial diagnostic marker for acute aortic dissection (AAD). However, its prognostic role in patients with Stanford type A AAD has not been clarified. We prospectively enrolled a consecutive series of patients with suspect AAD presented to our emergency department and measured the plasma D-dimer level (Stago-evolution, France) immediately following the admission. ⋯ After adjustment for age, systolic blood pressure, platelet counts, and intervals from symptom onset to hospital, a high admission D-dimer level (≥20 μg/ml) was still a powerful independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio 3.195, 95% confidence interval 1.110-9.196, P = 0.031). However, the predictive value of high admission D-dimer level disappeared when surgery was added to the Cox multivariate model. Our results suggest a high admission D-dimer level (≥20 μg/ml) might be a powerful predictor for increased in-hospital mortality in patients with Stanford type A AAD, and these patients may benefit more from surgical intervention.
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Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis · Jan 2014
Effects of recombinant activated factor VIIa on abdominal trauma patients.
Recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been highlighted by correcting uncontrollable traumatic haemorrhage. Compared with routine coagulation tests, thromboelastography (TEG) can evaluate the coagulation function of trauma patients more rapidly, accurately and comprehensively, and can also diagnose trauma-associated coagulopathy (TAC) in an early stage. Thirty-eight cases conforming to rFVIIa indications were screened according to TEG results and divided into an rFVIIa group (n = 20) and a nonrFVIIa group (n = 18). ⋯ Moreover, significant fewer red blood cells, platelet and fresh frozen plasma were transfused in the rFVIIa group. All patients underwent daily bedside vascular ultrasound screening within a week after haemostatic treatment, of which no thromboembolic events occurred. TEG can sensitively detect TAC. rFVIIa administered goal-directedly guided by TEG is more effectively in correcting TAC and decreasing the amount of blood product transfusion.
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Blood Coagul. Fibrinolysis · Jan 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyPlatelet aggregation following trauma: a prospective study.
We aimed to elucidate platelet function in trauma patients, as it is pivotal for hemostasis yet remains scarcely investigated in this population. We conducted a prospective observational study of platelet aggregation capacity in 213 adult trauma patients on admission to an emergency department (ED). Inclusion criteria were trauma team activation and arterial cannula insertion on arrival. ⋯ An aggregation value of 145 IU by TRAP significantly identified death due to cerebral injury (sensitivity 71% and specificity 76%, P < 0.01) by receiver operating characteristic-curve analysis; the corresponding value of platelet counts for massive transfusion was 189 × 10/l (sensitivity 86%, specificity 75%, P < 0.01). We concluded there was no simple relationship between platelet aggregation and injury severity. Our results indicate that high platelet aggregation values are associated with fatality of cerebral injury.