Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství
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Bleeding is probably the major complication of anticoagulant treatment with vitamin K antagonists represented nowadays mostly by warfarin in the Czech Republic. The main risk factors in hemorrhagic complications of warfarinisation are the intensity and instability of the anticoagulant treatment, individual patient characteristics, warfarin interactions with other drugs and the length of the anticoagulant therapy. Severe bleeding in warfarin patients is most effectively brought about by a fast and complete undoing of the anticoagulation effect of the drug employing the prothrombin complex concentrate and slow i.v. vitamin K1 infusion regardless of the reason for the anticoagulation. ⋯ A less severe bleeding or asymptomatic increase in the international normalized ratio can be treated effectively by skipping or decreasing of the warfarin dosage and/or oral administration of vitamin K1 (i.v. administration only in selected higher risk cases) that does result only in a partial consolidation of coagulopathy but of such type that the risk of thrombotic event requires. The article's goal is to contribute to the treatment standardization in patients with warfarin overdose and/or with hemorrhagic complications due to warfarin treatment and it is available at www.thrombosis.cz. The guidelines include a ready-reference chart whose objective is immediate and quick crash course in the clinical practice.
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The incidence of venous thromboembolism in orthopaedic patients is high and its prevention deserves special attention. In patients with total hip and knee replacements and with the proximal femur fractures, low molecular weight heparin should be administered at higher prophylactic dosages. Following its approval, pentasaccharide (fondaparinux) should become the drug of choice, especially in patients with proximal femur fractures. ⋯ In patients with lower extremity fractures treated with osteosynthesis, LMWH administration of 7-10 days is indicated. In patients with lower extremity injuries requiring plaster casting or other type of fixation reaching below the knee, LMWH administration is indicated over the whole period of fixation in persons with higher risk (people with venous thromboembolism in their histories, in direct relative's histories, people with thrombophilic conditions including poeple with malignancies, women using hormonal contraceptives or their substitutions). Aspirin is not a suitable drug for separate administration in the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in orthopaedic patients.
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Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství · Sep 2004
Review[Pathogenesis of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)].
An inflammation in the bronchial wall is usually present already in an early stage of the disease. An inflammatory infiltration cause predominantly mononuclear cells in the mucous membrane and neutrophiles in the phlegm produced by airways. Also eosinophiles can participate in the inflammation. ⋯ Chronic inflammation is a cause of remodeling and narrowing of small airways. Destruction of pulmonary parenchyma and the inflammation cause loss of alveolar connection with small airways and elastic pulmonary stress decreases. Two theories try to explain COPD--a theory of imbalance between proteinases and antiproteinases and a theory of oxidation stress.
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Localised and following systemic inflammatory reaction accompanying progression of infection causes generation of anti-inflammatory cytokines. They activate leucocytes, endothelium, coagulation and fibrinolysis. Sepsis is usually accompanied by already decompensated disseminated intravascular coagulation which significantly affects mortality of patients with this disease. ⋯ Some microorganisms have specific properties which affect individual components of hemostasis and thus increase their virulence. Because natural inhibitors of coagulation have not only anticoagulation but also strong anti-inflammatory effect, they seem to be an optimum remedy for fluorid coagulopathy during sepsis. Moreover, their use usually does not increase risk of bleeding.
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Vnitr̆ní lékar̆ství · May 2004
Review[Clinical importance of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with diabetes mellitus].
This paper provides a review of current literature on Helicobacter pylori infection in diabetes mellitus. According to majority of studies there is no difference of Helicobacter pylori infection prevalence between diabetes mellitus and general population. ⋯ In case of anti-helicobacter therapy (due to another indication) eradication rate is lower in diabetics (compared to non-diabetics) and there is a higher risk of re-infection (compared to general population). Several issues (especially dysmotility disorders of the stomach and influence of Helicobacter pylori eradication for the control of diabetes) remain controversial.