Thrombosis research
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2007
Thrombelastography monitoring of resistance to enoxaparin anticoagulation in thrombophilic pregnancy patients.
The anticoagulant effect of enoxaparin is readily observed by Thrombelastography (TEG), particularly on the reaction time (R) to form a clot, and is completely reversed by heparinase. In this study, recalcified citrated whole blood with heparinase (CNHR) and without (CNR), along with TEG R time, was used to derive a delta R (CNR-CNHR). This delta R (DeltaR) was then used to measure enoxaparin anticoagulation, which was correlated by linear regression (r(2)=0.806) with plasma anti-Xa in 48 thrombophilic pregnancy patients. ⋯ A large variation in slope was observed for both thrombophilic (>7 fold, 217 to 1,588 s DeltaR/unit anti-Xa) and normal (>3 fold, 788 to 2,758) pregnancy subjects. The average slope for the thrombophilic group (710 s DeltaR/unit anti-Xa) was significantly (P=0.002) lower than the normal pregnancy group (1,354 s), indicating resistance to enoxaparin anticoagulation in the thrombophilic group. This technique may help gauge the appropriate dose of enoxaparin for each individual, check for residual anticoagulation before invasive procedures, and perhaps help screen for thrombophilic subjects.
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2007
Contribution of multiple thrombophilic and transient risk factors in the development of cerebral venous thrombosis.
Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and/or pulmonary embolism (PE) have been associated with thrombophilic defects. However, in contrast to DVT or PE, CVT is a rare disease. We performed a study to identify differences in thrombotic risk profile, predisposing to CVT rather than DVT or PE, particularly the contribution of oral contraception and 11 thrombophilic defects. ⋯ We conclude that a majority of CVT and DVT or PE patients show single or multiple thrombophilic defects. At presentation, oral contraceptive intake was observed more frequently in CVT patients. However, no differences were observed in thrombotic risk profile between both groups of comparable age. Hence, additional unknown risk factors should be considered to explain the different sites of thrombosis in these patients.
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Thrombosis research · Jan 2007
Comparative StudyProthrombin complex concentrate versus recombinant factor VIIa for reversal of coumarin anticoagulation.
Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) is recommended for emergency reversal of oral coumarin anticoagulation. Recently, recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has also been investigated for this purpose, although no direct comparison of PCC and rFVIIa has been reported. This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of PCC and rFVIIa for reversal of both acute and sustained coumarin anticoagulation. ⋯ In a sustained anticoagulation animal model designed to simulate standard long-term oral coumarin therapy in patients, PCC was more effective than rFVIIa in restoring hemostatic function.
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Pulmonary embolism in children is a rare, potentially life threatening condition. The clinical characteristics of pediatric pulmonary embolism have not been well studied and the exact incidence in children is not known. We report a case series of fourteen patients with pulmonary embolism and describe their clinical characteristics. ⋯ A high index of suspicion is needed for the diagnosis of pediatric PE. D-Dimer may be normal in some children with PE. Pediatric multicenter trials are needed to evaluate clinical characteristics, risk factors, long-term outcome and effects of PE on pulmonary and cardiac function.