Transfus Apher Sci
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Comparative Study
Hemoglobin screening in prospective blood donors: comparison of different blood samples and different quantitative methods.
Portable photometers are increasingly used for hemoglobin screening in blood centers. In a total of 500 unselected prospective blood donors, venous hemoglobin concentrations were measured using a hematology analyzer, and fingerstick hemoglobin concentrations were measured on both a HemoCue B and a Biotest hemoglobin photometer. ⋯ The deviation exceeded the limit of +/-10g l(-1) in 9% of samples tested by HemoCue and in 20% of those investigated by Biotest. The use of earstick samples led to considerable overestimation of the actual hemoglobin concentration.
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Multicenter Study
Efficacy and tolerability of a pasteurised human fibrinogen concentrate in patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency.
The efficacy and tolerability of a pasteurised human fibrinogen concentrate were assessed in an open, multi-centre, non-controlled retrospective study in patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiency. Haemostatic efficacy was assessed by laboratory investigation and clinical observation. The study included 12 patients (afibrinogenaemia, n = 8; hypofibrinogenaemia, n = 3; dysfibrinogenaemia combined with hypofibrinogenaemia, n = 1). ⋯ In addition, one patient developed deep vein thrombosis and non-fatal pulmonary embolism with treatment for osteosynthesis after collum femoris fracture. Fibrinogen substitution could not be excluded as a contributing factor in this high-risk patient. Substitution with pasteurised human fibrinogen concentrate in patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiencies is efficient and generally well tolerated.
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The main pharmacokinetic characteristics of a plasma-derived, pasteurised fibrinogen concentrate were assessed in an open, multicentre, non-controlled study in five patients with congenital afibrinogenaemia or severe congenital hypofibrinogenaemia. Plasma samples were assayed for fibrinogen content in laboratories of the participating clinical centres (CCs) and additionally in a central laboratory at Aventis Behring (ABL). The values of the pharmacokinetic variables, using the fibrinogen determination at ABL, yielded a somewhat shorter terminal half-life compared with that determined at the CCs, with median (range) values of 2.7 days (2.5-3.7 days) versus 3.6 days (3.0-5.3 days), respectively. ⋯ The distribution volume at steady state (V-ss) of 89 ml/kg (81-116 ml/kg) was also smaller at the ABL than at the CCs (101 ml/kg [84-139 ml/kg]). Response, in vivo recovery and area under the curve did not differ noticeably between the laboratories. The normalisation or near normalisation of pre-infusion pathological coagulation tests indicated a good haemostatic efficacy of the tested fibrinogen concentrate, which was also generally well tolerated and not associated with any serious adverse reactions.
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To compare the effectiveness, safety and time needed to perform central venous catheterization (CVC) in the presence or absence of an ultrasound (US) guide. ⋯ US-guided CVC affords an easier, safer and more rapid cannulation of a central vein. It is especially helpful in those patients with anatomical variation or difficult veins (small or not visible, non-palpable landmarks) and in those with coagulative disorders.