Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis
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Semin. Thromb. Hemost. · Jun 2018
Multicenter StudyNonvitamin K Antagonist Oral Anticoagulants Use in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Bioprosthetic Heart Valves/Prior Surgical Valve Repair: A Multicenter Clinical Practice Experience.
This is an observational study to investigate the efficacy and safety of nonvitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with bioprosthetic valves or prior surgical valve repair in clinical practice. A total of 122 patients (mean age: 74.1 ± 13.2; 54 females) with bioprosthetic heart valve or surgical valve repair and AF treated with NOACs were included in the analysis. The mean CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age >75 years, Diabetes mellitus, prior Stroke or transient ischemic attack, Vascular disease) and HAS-BLED (Hypertension, Abnormal renal and liver function, Stroke, Bleeding, Labile INR [international normalized ratio], Elderly, Drugs or alcohol) score values were 3.6 ± 1.2 and 2.6 ± 1.4, respectively. ⋯ All patients were evaluated for thromboembolic events (ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism) as well as major bleeding events during the follow-up period. In our study population, we recorded a low mean annual incidence of thromboembolism (0.8%) and major bleeding (1.3%). According to our data, anticoagulation therapy with NOACs seems to be an effective and a safe treatment strategy for nonvalvular AF patients with bioprosthetic valves or prior surgical valve repair.
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Rapid and accurate risk stratification is critical in determining the optimal treatment strategy for patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE). Early identification of patients with normal blood pressure and a favorable prognosis (low-risk PE) might select a subset of patients for outpatient treatment, which is associated with reduced cost and improved patient satisfaction, and has been shown to be effective and safe. ⋯ Clinical prognostic scores have been gaining importance in the classification of patients into these categories. They should be derived and validated following strict methodological standards, and their use in clinical practice should be encouraged.
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Semin. Thromb. Hemost. · Jun 2017
Review Case ReportsExperience of Point-of-Care Devices in Obstetrical Care.
During pregnancy and puerperium, there are pronounced hemostatic changes characterized by increased coagulability and decreased fibrinolysis. In addition, hemostasis can change dramatically during obstetric complications. Several reports have described substandard management of hemostatic defects in this setting and state the need for guidelines and better care. ⋯ This article will demonstrate the use of a viscoelastic method in six different patients; five with impaired hemostasis, and where the use of viscoelastic method contributes or should have contributed to better care. The cases represent patients with normal delivery; postpartum hemorrhage (PPH); PPH with low fibrinogen; placental abruption; preeclampsia with hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count syndrome; and finally, one patient with sepsis. This article also shows the need for good practices and good supervision to implement the devices in patient care.
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Trauma remains one of the major causes of death and disability all over the world. Uncontrolled blood loss and trauma-induced coagulopathy represent preventable causes of trauma-related morbidity and mortality. ⋯ The first studies have been published showing that this concept reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and improves outcome. This review highlights the concept of goal-directed POC coagulation management in trauma patients, introduces a selection of POC devices, and presents algorithms which allow a reduction in allogeneic blood product transfusion and an improvement of trauma patient outcome.