Advances in the medical treatment and diagnosis of intracranial hemorrhage associated with oral anticoagulation.

INTRODUCTION: With the increasing prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF), it entails expanding oral anticoagulants (OACs) use, carrying a higher risk of associated hemorrhagic events, including intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). Despite advances in OACs development with a better safety profile and reversal agent for these anticoagulants, there is still no consensus on the optimal management of patients with OACs-associated ICH. AREAS COVERED: In this review, the authors have carried out an exhaustive search on the advances in recent years. The authors provide an update on the management of ICH in anticoagulated patients, as well as an update on the latest evidence on anticoagulation resumption, recent therapeutic strategies, and investigational drugs that could play a role in the future. EXPERT OPINION: Following an ICH event in an anticoagulated patient, a comprehensive clinical evaluation is imperative. Anticoagulation should be promptly withdrawn and reversed. Once the patient is stabilized, a reintroduction of anticoagulation should be considered, typically within a timeframe of 4-8 weeks, if feasible. If re-anticoagulation is not possible, alternative options such as Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion are available.

Long-term survival of glioblastoma: A systematic analysis of literature about a case.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of the changes for the treatment of glioblastoma since 2005, we have not seen differences between long-survival patients of more than 10 years showing a value minor than 1%. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We realize a systematic analysis and identify important factors for long survivor patients. We also show an own case with more of 20 years of survival. We make a new pathological study of the old paraffin block of this patient. RESULTS: The most important variable associated with long-survival between all multivariant studies is the age. When we try to find genetic and molecular alterations in glioblastoma associated with prolongated survival, the MGMT promoter methylation play the most important role. We find a correct diagnosis in the current analysis of our patient's sample with very long survival. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple variables are found that affect long survival of glioblastoma series but analyzed studies are very heterogeneous and it is very difficult comparation between them. Most articles we review are obtained from databases of different countries with hundreds of patients. It would be very interesting to promote the use of a single database in Spain that allows us to study these long-term glioblastoma survivors.