Journal of thrombosis and haemostasis : JTH
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Feb 2013
The proline-rich tyrosine kinase Pyk2 regulates platelet integrin αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling.
The proline-rich tyrosine kinase Pyk2 is a focal adhesion kinase expressed in blood platelets, and is activated downstream of G-protein coupled receptors as well as integrin α2β1. ⋯ These results identify a novel pathway of integrin αIIbβ3 outside-in signaling and recognize the tyrosine kinase Pyk2 as a major regulator of platelet adhesion and spreading on fibrinogen.
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Feb 2013
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyAnti-PF4/heparin antibodies and venous graft occlusion in postcoronary artery bypass surgery patients randomized to postoperative unfractionated heparin or fondaparinux thromboprophylaxis.
Anti-PF4/heparin antibodies are frequently generated after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery, with platelet-activating IgG implicated in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). It is controversial whether non-platelet-activating antibodies are associated with thrombosis. ⋯ Fondaparinux vs. UFH thromboprophylaxis postCABG does not reduce anti-PF4/heparin antibody formation. Non-platelet-activating anti-PF4/heparin IgG antibodies generated post operatively are associated with early venous graft occlusion.
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Feb 2013
ReviewLaboratory assessment of the anticoagulant effects of the next generation of oral anticoagulants.
In contrast to vitamin K antagonists, which reduce the functional levels of several coagulation factors, the new oral anticoagulants specifically target either thrombin or factor Xa. These new agents have such predictable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics that routine coagulation monitoring is unnecessary. ⋯ The coagulation assays that are used to monitor heparin derivatives or vitamin K antagonists may not always accurately reflect the anticoagulant activity of the new oral anticoagulants, and specialized assays may be needed. In this article, we: (i) identify situations in which assessment of anticoagulant effect may aid treatment decisions; (ii) describe the effects of the new oral anticoagulants on the various coagulation tests; (iii) review the specialized coagulation assays that have been developed to measure the anticoagulant effects of the new oral anticoagulants; and (iv) provide a clinical perspective on the role of coagulation testing in the clinical management of patients treated with the new oral anticoagulants.
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Coagulation factor (F)XIII is best known for its role in fibrin stabilization and cross-linking of antifibrinolytic proteins to the fibrin clot. From patients with congenital FXIII deficiency, it is known that FXIII also has important functions in wound healing and maintaining pregnancy. Over the last decade more and more research groups with different backgrounds have studied FXIII and have unveiled putative novel functions for FXIII. ⋯ The aim of this review was to give an overview of exciting novel findings and to highlight the remarkable diversity of functions attributed to FXIII. Of course, more research into the underlying mechanisms and (patho-)physiological relevance of the many described functions of FXIII is needed. It will be exciting to observe future developments in this area and to see if and how these interesting findings may be translated into clinical practice in the future.
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J. Thromb. Haemost. · Feb 2013
Letter Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative StudyPretreatment platelet reactivity contribution to residual, post-treatment platelet reactivity in prasugrel-treated and ticagrelor-treated patients.