Transfus Apher Sci
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Octaplex®, a six factor prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), has recently been approved for use in Canada. The optimal dose of Octaplex has yet to be established and our study was designed to monitor the efficacy of a low standard dose. ⋯ Our data suggests that Octaplex, when given as a low standard dose is effective at INR reversal with 76% of our patients correcting to an INR of 1.5 or less. It appears that this dose is sufficient for non-bleeding patients. Bleeding patients may benefit most from a dose increase to achieve more complete reversal and patients with intracranial bleeding should achieve more complete reversal within 2h of presentation.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of cryoprecipitate with fibrinogen concentrate for acquired hypofibrinogenaemia.
The benefits of fibrinogen concentrate in hypofibrinogenaemia have been established in congenital and has been used in acquired disorders. Most European countries have already changed their practice, using fibrinogen concentrate. ⋯ With its superior safety profile from infectious diseases, this provides further evidence to support the use of fibrinogen concentrate.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Comparative levels of macrophage migration inhibitory factor, procalcitonin, osteoprotegerin, interleukin-8, hs-C reactive protein, D-dimer in febrile neutropenia, newly diagnosed cancer patients, and infectious fever.
The purpose of this study is to determine the levels of procalcitonin (PCT), IL-8 (interleukin-8), MIF (macrophage migration inhibitory factor), osteoprotegerin (OPG), hs-CRP and D-dimer during fever above 38.3°C due to various causes. ⋯ High serum IL-8 and D-dimer levels can be useful markers to identify hospitalized chemotherapy-induced neutropenia patients. MIF and OPG were found to be higher in patients with newly diagnosed cancer.
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This report is prepared for The Hemostasis and Oxygenation Research (THOR) Network and based on presentations of invited THOR investigators. In order to make it available to a larger group of interested readers it has been agreed to publish the report in TRASCI, as a "what is happening?" in view of its importance and novelty. On June 14th 2011 the first symposium on fresh whole blood (FWB) was held in Bergen, Norway. ⋯ A three-year research proposal has been developed by the THOR network to determine (1) if FWB donation adversely affects donor performance of combat related skills, (2) the optimal storage solution, temperature, and acceptable storage duration for FWB, (3) the logistics of providing FWB in a combat environment safely to include optimal transport and administration methods. The symposium speakers were tasked with reviewing current data on; coagulopathy associated with massive traumatic bleeding, immunology of transfusion, outcomes associated with FWB use, logistic and medical issues of the use of FWB in far forward situations, training required for medics on FWB collection and administration, the risks of FWB and stored blood components and methods to mitigate these risks. The meeting concluded with a discussion of the THOR network's three-year research program.
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The complement system is an important part of the innate immune system. Complement plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of many disorders. Despite the pivotal role of the complement system, an approved targeted inhibitor of a complement factor became available only recently. ⋯ It is a targeted, disease modifying, treatment of paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH). It was approved be the US FDA and the European Commission in 2007. In this review we will update the experience with eculizumab in PNH and discuss potential use of eculizumab in other disorders (e.g. cold agglutinin disease; atypical HUS) and new approaches to complement inhibition with drugs other than eculizumab.