Prognostic Factors in Patients with Persistent Full-Thickness Idiopathic Macular Holes Treated with Re-Vitrectomy with Autologous Platelet Concentrate.

PURPOSE: To identify the predictors for anatomical and functional outcome after re-vitrectomy with application of autologous platelet concentrate (APC) in eyes with persistent idiopathic macular hole (MH). METHODS: Retrospective study of 103 eyes with persistent MHs after vitrectomy with peeling of internal limiting membrane (ILM) and expansive gas. All patients underwent re-vitrectomy with APC and endotamponade. The anatomical MH closure rate and postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were evaluated. Further, predictive factors influencing the success of the surgery were analyzed. RESULTS: Median BCVA (logMAR) before the surgery was 1.00 (interquartile range [IQR] 0.80-1.30) and the median of minimum diameter between hole edges was 508 µm (IQR 387-631). The final closure rate after re-vitrectomy with APC was 60.2% (62 of 103 eyes). The following predictors were identified to significantly influence the closure rate: tractional hole index (THI), axial length, time between first and second surgery, and the experience of the surgeon (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Re-vitrectomy with APC led to the closure of 60.2% of the persistent MHs. The closure rate negatively correlates with increasing axial length, time between the first and second surgery, and the decreased THI. Further, experienced surgeons (with a history of >100 pars plana vitrectomies with ILM peeling) had significantly higher closure rates.

Efficacy and Safety Profile of Solvent/Detergent Plasma in the Treatment of Acute Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura: A Single-Center Experience.

BACKGROUND: Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is a rare clinical disorder which was associated with poor prognosis for a long time. The outcome has been improved by the consistent introduction of thera-peutic plasma exchange (TPE) as standard treatment of TTP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe our experience in the use of solvent/detergent-treated plasma (SDP) for TPE in TTP. We retrospectively analyzed acute TTP epi-sodes in 8 patients (mean age = 27 years, range 18-44 years) treated with TPE using SDP with regard to tolerability and efficacy. RESULTS: All 8 patients were positive for anti-ADAMTS-13 antibody. Seven out of 8 had a se-vere ADAMTS-13 deficiency. All patients responded rapidly to SDP TPE with an increase in platelet count to above 150 x 10(9)/l. Hemolytic anemia disappeared over the treatment period. Approximately 2,000 l SDP were used for more than 500 treatments. Treatment with SDP was well tolerated; none of the patients experienced an adverse drug reaction after exposure to SDP. No major complications occurred even after multiple TPE. CONCLUSION: Our investigations suggest that TPE using SDP as replacement fluid is an effective treatment for TTP. The data described also indicate that SDP might offer the benefit of reducing adverse drug reactions.

Inhibition of thrombin generation 12 hours after intake of direct oral anticoagulants.

BACKGROUND: The residual antithrombotic activity 12 hours after intake of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) is of clinical relevance in the setting of bleeding or urgent surgery. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of DOACs on thrombin generation 12 hours after DOAC intake in comparison to baseline and a healthy control group. METHODS: Eighty patients were recruited, 20 patients for each approved DOAC: apixaban, edoxaban, rivaroxaban, and dabigatran. The patients were either to be put on anticoagulation for the first time or had stopped taking oral anticoagulation for at least 48 hours. Blood plasma was sampled before (baseline) and 12 hours after starting DOAC for quantification of drug levels and thrombin generation assayed using an automated system (ST Genesia). Sixty-one blood donors served as control group. RESULTS: The factor Xa inhibitors significantly increased lag time (137%-219%) and reduced thrombin peak (47%-76%) and velocity index (17%-44%) after 12 hours compared to baseline. Dabigatran showed prolongation of lag time to 133% and time to peak to 119%. All patients had residual antithrombotic activity, with reduced thrombin generation parameters 12 hours after DOAC intake compared to baseline and to the healthy control group. This effect remained significant in patients with low residual DOAC plasma levels <50 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Thrombin generation remains reduced 12 hours after DOAC intake. While thrombin peak is particularly modified by factor Xa inhibitors, all DOACs prolong the lag time and time to thrombin peak. In the setting of bleeding or urgent surgery, the automated thrombin generation assay may assist in decision making and antidote administration.