Use of nafamostat mesilate for anticoagulation during extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) represents an advanced option for supporting refractory respiratory and/or cardiac failure. Systemic anticoagulation with unfractionated heparin (UFH) is routinely used. However, patients with bleeding risk and/or heparin-related side effects may necessitate alternative strategies: among these, nafamostat mesilate (NM) has been reported. METHODS: We conducted a systematic literature search (PubMed and EMBASE, updated 12/08/2021), including all studies reporting NM anticoagulation for ECMO. We focused on reasons for starting NM, its dose and the anticoagulation monitoring approach, the incidence of bleeding/thrombosis complications, the NM-related side effects, ECMO weaning, and mortality. RESULTS: The search revealed 11 relevant findings, all with retrospective design. Of these, three large studies reported a control group receiving UFH, the other were case series (n = 3) or case reports (n = 5). The main reason reported for NM use was an ongoing or high risk of bleeding. The NM dose varied largely as did the anticoagulation monitoring approach. The average NM dose ranged from 0.46 to 0.67 mg/kg/h, but two groups of authors reported larger doses when monitoring anticoagulation with ACT. Conflicting findings were found on bleeding and thrombosis. The only NM-related side effect was hyperkalemia (n = 2 studies) with an incidence of 15%-18% in patients anticoagulated with NM. Weaning and survival varied across studies. CONCLUSION: Anticoagulation with NM in ECMO has not been prospectively studied. While several centers have experience with this approach in high-risk patients, prospective studies are warranted to establish the optimal space of this approach in ECMO.

Non-pharmacological management of gestational diabetes: The role of myo-inositol.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is the most common metabolic disorder occurring in pregnancy. GDM plays an important role in the current diabetes epidemic: exposure to a high glycemic environment during the early stages of development increases the risk of the fetus to develop type two diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in adult life. Various cardiometabolic risk factors are linked to GDM. A thorough knowledge of the risk factors and genes involved in the development of GDM, along with an understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are crucial to properly identify patients at risk of developing this condition. There is growing evidence showing that myo-inositol, combined with an appropriate therapeutic regimen for GDM, can provide additional benefits to the patient. The aim of this review is to analyze the role of inositol isomers - especially myo-inositol (MYO-INS) - in the treatment of patients with GDM.