Best practice & research. Clinical anaesthesiology
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Mar 2010
ReviewPharmacological agents: antifibrinolytics and desmopressin.
This article provides an overview of the scientific evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of antifibrinolytic agents and desmopressin to reduce surgical blood loss. The synthetic derivatives of lysine are the only antifibrinolytics available in clinical practice since the withdrawal of aprotinin. There is evidence that the prophylactic use of lysine analogues is efficacious in reducing perioperative blood loss in cardiac and major orthopaedic surgery. ⋯ Lysine analogues appear to be well tolerated in coronary artery bypass surgery, but less is known regarding their risk-benefit profile in special patient groups. Further studies are needed to elucidate the best compromise between dosing regimen, efficacy and safety in various clinical settings. Desmopressin may reduce excessive bleeding and transfusion requirements in some specific patient populations with acquired platelet dysfunction, but this needs to be validated in future studies.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Mar 2010
ReviewPlatelet transfusions: the science behind safety, risks and appropriate applications.
Platelets are active metabolising cells that are evolved for the tasks of haemostasis, inflammatory reactions and wound healing. When platelet products are stored in the blood bank a complex series of changes occur, leading to partial activation, up-regulation of inflammatory mediators, cellular morphology changes, loss of cell membrane lipids and micro-particle formation, as well as apoptosis. The resultant coagulation transfusion product has a number of potential expected side effects including fever, alloimmunisation, sepsis, thrombosis and transfusion-related acute lung injury. ⋯ However, outcome data (controversial) have shown in some populations that platelet transfusions are associated with worse patient outcomes. Such associations may be due to the biologic changes that have occurred during storage, lack of HLA matching as well as other causes or it could be a mismatch of the platelet products to patient's needs (over-use). Platelets are administered in the surgical arena often due to 'clinical judgement', which errs on the side of, perhaps, too frequent use.
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Unexplained intra-operative coagulopathies continue to be a diagnostic and therapeutic dilemma. The pathophysiology behind unexplained intra-operative coagulopathies is of great variety and complexity (pre-existing coagulopathies, dilutional coagulopathy, interactions of medications, etc.). We have shown in prospective studies that patients undergoing elective surgery who develop 'unexplained' intra-operative bleeding have significantly less F. ⋯ At least one proof-of-principle landmark study suggests that such patients benefit from treatment with F. XIII early intra-operatively. This new concept helps to explain the pathophysiology behind unexplained intra-operative coagulopathies and thus allows for corresponding treatment strategies.
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One of the greatest disappointments associated with a successful surgical procedure is a thrombotic or thrombo-embolic complication in the postoperative period. Morbidity and mortality of the perioperative period are related, to a relevant degree, to perioperative thrombo-embolic events. Ranging from simple deep venous thrombosis to pulmonary embolism or arterial thrombosis, this class of complication invariably increases length of hospital stay or may result in mortality. The purpose of this review is to identify the procedures and patient populations noted to have thrombophilia in the postoperative period, link the changes in circulating and in situ haematological/biochemical substrates most likely responsible for morbidity, identify the clinical diagnostic modalities that detect recent/impending thrombosis and, lastly, consider the rational therapeutic approaches recommended for minimising postoperative thrombotic complications.
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Best Pract Res Clin Anaesthesiol · Dec 2009
ReviewTight glycaemic control: clinical implementation of protocols.
Implementation of tight glycaemic control in hospitalised patients presents a huge challenge. It concerns many patients, there are many interfering factors and many health-care professionals are involved. The current literature provides little practical guidance. ⋯ An effective, safe and user-friendly algorithm for intravenous insulin administration is presented that can be executed by regular nurses and used in many situations. Practical advice is offered for the use of subcutaneous basal-bolus insulin, for fasting orders and for transition to discharge care. The main safety considerations are discussed.