Duodecim; lääketieteellinen aikakauskirja
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Dabigatran has been introduced into the prevention of stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation. Monitoring of the effect and reversing the action of dabigatran as well as management of an emergency operation and bleeding in a patient who is using the drug is demanding. ⋯ There is no antidote for dabigatran, but its effect can possibly be partly reversed with recombinant coagulation factor VIIa and dialysis. With increasing use of dabigatran, more frequent severe bleeding complications and problems in emergency operations are to be expected.
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Platelet inhibitors and anticoagulants are called antithrombotic drugs. New platelet inhibitors prasugrel and ticagrelor are more effective than the traditional clopidogrel, but their use is also accompanied by more frequent bleeding complications. ⋯ New anticoagulants are easier to use but clearly more expensive. The use of new anticoagulants is also accompanied by several potential problems that the clinician should be aware of.
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Surrogate alcohols, i.e., methanol, ethylene glycol and isopropanol, still cause some dozens of deaths in Finland every year. Assessment of the severity of the intoxication is often hampered by the presence of ethanol. ⋯ Ethanol is commonly utilized as an antidote in Finland, whereas the use of a specific antidote, fomepizole, is slowly increasing. Reversal of acidosis and hemodialysis are also essential measures in the treatment of methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning.
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Formation of postoperative adhesions is frequent in open surgery technique operations. By causing intestinal obstruction, infertility and very likely chronic abdominal pain and by complicating reoperations they place a significant burden on the health care system. ⋯ Their formation is also increased by intraoperative peritonitis and contamination. Factors that can be applied to prevent the formation of adhesions include the surgical technique and instruments and products decreasing the formation of adhesions.
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The production of cathelicidin, an antimicrobial peptide is strongly increased in rosacea. Cathelicidin activates innate immunity, inflammation and angiogenesis. Cutaneous proteases produce inflammatory fragments of cathelicidin. ⋯ Retinoids and doxycycline inhibit inflammation, proteases, angiogenesis and TLR2 expression. A multicenter study 2010 proved that isotretinoin with a dose of 0,3 mg/kg/d for 12 weeks and doxycycline with the dose of 100 mg/d for 14 days followed with 50 mg/d were equally effective. Doxycycline 40 mg/d is also effective in milder cases.