Anästhesiologie, Intensivmedizin, Notfallmedizin, Schmerztherapie : AINS
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Apr 2012
[Antiplatelet drugs - implications for the anesthesiologist].
Aspirin and thienopyridines are the mainstay of platelet aggregation inhibition in patients with acute coronary syndromes and patients receiving coronary artery stents. After elective coronary artery stenting, they are prescribed for up to 3 months after bare metall stents and for at least 12 months after drug-eluting stents, thereby significantly reducing the risk of acute stent thrombosis. During this time period, patients should not undergo elective surgery. ⋯ In these cases a careful risk-benefit analysis is required to elucidate the risk of major surgical bleeding versus the risk of major cardiovascular events with aspirin to be continued throughout the perioperative period. Current evidence does not suggest to use platelet function tests to guide therapy under these circumstances. If major bleeding occurs under dual platelet aggregation inhibition, the most appropriate interventions are antifibrinolytics such as tranexamic acid and transfusion of platelets to counteract the platelet aggregation inhibitory effects.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Apr 2012
[Hospital hygiene - outbreak management of nosocomial infections].
According to §6, section 3 of the German Protection against Infections Act [Infektionsschutzgesetz (IfSG)] an outbreak is defined as the occurrence in large numbers of nosocomial infections for which an epidemiological relationship is probable or can be assumed. About 2-10% of nosocomial infections in hospitals (about 5% in intensive care wards) occur within the framework of an outbreak. The heaped occurrence of nosocomial infections can be declared according to the prescribed surveillance of nosocomial infections (§23 IfSG) when, in the course of this assessment, a statistically significant increase in the rate of infections becomes apparent. ⋯ The names of patients involved in outbreaks need not be reported to the responsible health authorities. As a consequence of the report the health authorities become involved in the investigation to determine the cause and its elimination, and to provide support and advice. The outbreak management should be oriented on the respective recommendations of the Robert Koch Institute.
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Anasthesiol Intensivmed Notfallmed Schmerzther · Apr 2012
[Novel oral anticoagulants and their use in the perioperative setting].
Novel oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have become available for prevention of venous thromboembolism after major orthopaedic surgery, treatment of venous thromboembolism, and stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. The thrombin inhibitor Dabigatran has a plasma half life of 11-14 hours which prolongs significantly in renal insufficiency. The two Xa-inhibitors Rivaroxaban and Apixaban have slightly shorter half lifes, and renal elimination is confined to about 30% of active drug. ⋯ Bridging anticoagulation is not necessary. The management of bleeding complications does not differ from that in other anticoagulants. The most uncertainties in clinical practice will arise from the fact that NOACs derange the global clotting tests without any conclusive information about the actual intensity of anticoagulation.