Thrombosis research
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Bleeds in hemophilia are treated either on demand or prophylactically by intravenous replacement therapy with FVIII or FIX. However, there is a call for subcutaneous and less frequent drug administration, and this need may be met by administration of a suitable antibody. Pioneering studies in vitro] and in a rabbit hemophilia model suggest that blockage of tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) provides a potential alternative approach to current therapy of hemophilia patients. ⋯ Blockage of TFPI with various antagonists has been shown to effectively enhance FX activation by TF/FVIIa and improve clot formation in hemophilia blood and plasma. The monoclonal antibody, mAb 2021, is one such antagonist directed towards the Kunitz-type protease inhibitor (KPI) 2 domain of TFPI which is now being tested in preclinical and clinical trials. Using mAb 2021, we have confirmed the original findings, and further characterized the pro-haemostatic effect of this specific anti-KPI-2 mAb in preclinical studies.
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Thrombosis research · May 2012
Association of blood transfusion and venous thromboembolism after colorectal cancer resection.
Red blood cell (RBC) transfusion is a common event in the perioperative course of patients undergoing surgery. Transfused blood can disrupt the balance of coagulation factors and modulates the inflammatory cascade. Since inflammation and coagulation are tightly coupled, we postulated that RBC transfusion may be associated with the development of venous thromboembolic phenomena. We queried the American College of Surgeons' National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database to examine the relationship between intraoperative blood transfusion and development of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients undergoing colorectal resection for cancer. ⋯ In this study of 21943 patients undergoing colorectal resection for cancer, blood transfusion is associated with increased risk of VTE. Malignancy and surgery are known prothrombotic stimuli, the subset of patients receiving intraoperative RBC transfusion are even more at risk for VTE, emphasizing the need for sensible use of transfusions and rigorous thromboprophylaxis regimens.
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2012
Multicenter StudyVenous thromboembolism prophylaxis in medical ICU patients in Asia (VOICE Asia): a multicenter, observational, cross-sectional study.
The VOICE Asia study aimed to establish the mode of thromboprophylaxis in medical patients admitted to intensive care units (ICU), and to describe the epidemiology of patients at high-risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and of patients who were prescribed low molecular weight heparin (LMWH). ⋯ There is substantial underestimation of VTE risk and non-adherence to guidelines for thromboprophylaxis in medical ICU patients in participating Asian countries. This emphasizes the need for increasing awareness about optimum VTE risk assessment and improved implementation of appropriate thromboprophylaxis in at-risk medical ICU patients.
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Thrombosis research · Apr 2012
Extracorporeal cardiopulmonary support may be an efficient rescue of patients after massive pulmonary embolism. An experimental porcine study.
Treatment of massive pulmonary embolism leading to cardiac arrest is controversial but restitution of circulation within a shorter time is crucial. Cardiopulmonary support and therapeutic hypothermia is an option for cardiac arrest and could be used to treat massive PE. However, hypothermia may influence the effect of the ongoing intrinsic fibrinolysis. ⋯ Cardiopulmonary support could rescue pigs with massive pulmonary embolism. Hypothermia did not reduce the emboli but may for other reasons be beneficial. The optimal additional treatment is still unknown but treatment modalities can be tested in this model.