Journal of thrombosis and thrombolysis
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J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · Jul 2018
ReviewFixed-dose 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate: we don't know where we're going if we don't know how to get there.
4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (4F-PCC) is the standard-of-care intervention in patients with major bleeding taking oral vitamin K antagonists. Despite growing clinical experience with 4-FPCC, the optimal dosing strategy remains unclear. ⋯ The purpose of this narrative review is to address the advantages and shortcomings with clinical use of fixed-dose 4F-PCC, as well as limitations of the available literature. The heterogeneity of the current literature should guide future studies to support or refute this potentially life-saving intervention.
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J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · Apr 2018
ReviewA systematic review of ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
To review the clinical evidence for ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (UACDT) using the EKOS system in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in terms of case selection, procedural outcomes, clinical outcomes and safety outcomes. A systematic literature search strategy was used to identify the use of the EKOS system in the treatment of DVT using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane databases and the Web of Science. The references in the relevant literature were also screened. ⋯ During the follow-up, post-thrombotic syndrome was observed in 17.1% (20/117) of cases. UACDT using the EKOS system is an effective, safe and promising treatment modality for DVT, but the existing clinical evidence is inadequate to make UACDT using the EKOS system the first-line choice for DVT. Additional prospective large-sample RCTs with long-term follow-ups are warranted to define the role of UACDT using the EKOS system in the treatment of DVT.
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J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · Apr 2018
ReviewA systematic review of ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis.
To review the clinical evidence for ultrasound-accelerated catheter-directed thrombolysis (UACDT) using the EKOS system in the treatment of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in terms of case selection, procedural outcomes, clinical outcomes and safety outcomes. A systematic literature search strategy was used to identify the use of the EKOS system in the treatment of DVT using the following electronic databases: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane databases and the Web of Science. The references in the relevant literature were also screened. ⋯ During the follow-up, post-thrombotic syndrome was observed in 17.1% (20/117) of cases. UACDT using the EKOS system is an effective, safe and promising treatment modality for DVT, but the existing clinical evidence is inadequate to make UACDT using the EKOS system the first-line choice for DVT. Additional prospective large-sample RCTs with long-term follow-ups are warranted to define the role of UACDT using the EKOS system in the treatment of DVT.
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J. Thromb. Thrombolysis · Apr 2018
ReviewAndexanet alfa to reverse the anticoagulant activity of factor Xa inhibitors: a review of design, development and potential place in therapy.
Direct oral anticoagulants are associated with rates of major bleeding which are not negligible, albeit lower than those associated with vitamin K antagonists. No specific reversal agent for factor Xa (FXa) direct inhibitors is currently available for clinical use. A modified activated human FXa decoy protein, andexanet alfa, is being developed that binds FXa direct inhibitors in their active site, thus reversing their anticoagulant effect. ⋯ Andexanet alfa has been studied in double-blind, placebo-controlled phase II and III studies. A preliminary report of the phase III study showed that an effective hemostasis was obtained after andexanet alfa infusion in the majority of the patients with acute major bleeding associated with FXa inhibitors. Additional studies are ongoing and andexanet alfa is expected to be launched in the market in the near future.
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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a common thrombotic event that is variable in its presentation. Depending on the patients' risk for mortality, guidelines provide several treatment strategies including thrombolysis, catheter-directed therapies, pulmonary embolectomy, anticoagulation, and inferior vena cava filters. However, there is considerable disagreement between guidelines regarding the optimal treatment strategy for patients, particularly for those with intermediate-risk PE. ⋯ PERT allows for consensus decision making, and for rapid intervention in patients whose conditions worsen. In this review, we provide an overview of treatment guidelines for PE, and of results from recent clinical trials involving patients with submassive PE. In addition, we discuss an outline of our approach and use of PERT.