Risk factors and clinical impact of thrombosis during induction chemotherapy for pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia: A report from CYP-C.

Thromboembolism (TE) is associated with reduced survival in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). It has been hypothesized that TE might signal leukemic aggressiveness. The objective was to determine risk factors for TE during ALL induction (TEind ) therapy and whether TEind is associated with treatment refractoriness. This retrospective cohort study using the population-based Cancer in Young People Canada (CYP-C) registry included children <15 years of age diagnosed with ALL (2000-2019) and treated at one of 12 Canadian pediatric centers outside of Ontario. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors for TEind and whether TEind predicted induction failure and ALL treatment intensification. The impact of TEind on overall and event-free survival was estimated using Cox proportional hazard regression models. The study included 2589 children, of which 45 (1.7%) developed a TEind . Age (<1 year and ≥10 years vs. 1-<10 years), T-cell phenotype, high-risk ALL, and central nervous system involvement were all associated with TEind in univariate analysis. Age and T-cell phenotype remained independent predictors of TEind in multivariable analysis. Induction failure occurred in 53 patients (2.1%). TEind was not associated with induction failure (OR: not estimable) or treatment intensification (adjusted OR [95% CI]: 0.66 [0.26-1.69]). TEind was independently associated with overall survival (adjusted HR [95% CI]: 2.54 [1.20-5.03]) but not event-free survival (adjusted HR [95% CI] 1.86 [0.98-3.51]). In this population-based study of children treated with contemporary chemotherapy protocols, TEind was associated with age and T-cell phenotype and mortality but did not predict induction failure.

An overview regarding the article 'clinical outcomes and mortality in patients with atrial fibrillation and recently diagnosed lung cancer in oncology outpatient settings'.

Cancer-related inflammation, anti-cancer treatment and other cancer-related comorbidities are proposed to affect atrial remodeling, increasing the susceptibility of lung cancer patients for developing atrial fibrillation. Moreover, cancer is assumed to modify the risk of thromboembolisms and bleeding. An association between AF and malignancy has been reported but incompletely defined. The earliest publications of cancer predisposing to AF came in the 1940s-50s with reports of neoplastic cardiac infiltration or mechanical pressure on the heart, and with oncologic thoracic surgery. Subsequently, multiple studies have reported an increased risk of AF after cancer therapy with surgery (particularly thoracic) and chemotherapy. However, the prevalence of AF appears to be higher in patients with cancer at the time of diagnosis even before undergoing therapy. The emerging field of cardio-oncology has revealed that these seemingly disparate disease processes are intertwined, owing to the cardiovascular sequelae of anticancer therapies, shared risk factors that predispose individuals to both cardiovascular disease and cancer, as well the possible potentiation of cancer growth by cardiac dysfunction. Although direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) seem to represent a safe and effective option, compared to Vitamin K antagonists (VKA), in this population, this statement is based mainly on observational studies and sub analyses of pivotal trials of the DOAC.

Between a rock and a hard place: resumption of oral anticoagulant therapy after intracranial hemorrhage.

Intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) is the most feared and lethal complication of oral anticoagulant (OAC) therapy. Resumption of OAC after ICH has long posed a challenge for clinicians, complicated by the expanding range of anticoagulant agents available in modern clinical practice, including direct OACs and, more recently, factor XI and XII inhibitors. A review of the current literature found support for resuming OAC in the majority of patients after ICH based on pooled retrospective data showing that resumption is associated with a lower risk of mortality and thromboembolism without a significantly increased risk of recurrent hemorrhage. The optimal time to resume OAC is less clear; however, the available evidence suggests that the composite risk of both recurrent hemorrhage and thromboembolism is likely minimized, somewhere between 4 and 6 weeks, after ICH in most patients. Specific considerations to guide the optimal resumption time in the individual patient include ICH location, mechanism, and anticoagulant class. Patients with mechanical heart valves and intracerebral malignancy represent high-risk groups who require more nuanced decision making. Here, we appraise the literature with the aim of providing a practical guide for clinicians while also discussing priorities for future investigation.

Examining the safety profile of a standard dose tranexamic acid regimen in spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Perioperative blood loss during spinal surgery is associated with complications and in-hospital mortality. Weight-based administration of tranexamic acid (TXA) has the potential to reduce blood loss and related complications in spinal surgery; however, evidence for standardized dosing is lacking. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of a standardized preoperative 2 g bolus TXA dosing regimen on perioperative transfusion, blood loss, thromboembolic events, and postoperative outcomes in spine surgery patients. METHODS: An institutional review board approved this retrospective review of prospectively enrolled adult spine patients (> 18 years of age). Patients were included who underwent elective and emergency spine surgery between September 2018 and July 2021. Patients who received a standardized 2 g dose of TXA were compared to patients who did not receive TXA. The primary outcome measure was perioperative transfusion. Secondary outcomes included estimated blood loss and thromboembolic or other perioperative complications. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and continuous variables were analyzed with the two-tailed independent t-test, while categorical variables were analyzed with the Fisher's exact test or chi-square test. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was performed to examine independent risk factors for perioperative outcomes. RESULTS: TXA was administered to 353 of 453 (78%) patients, and there were no demographic differences between groups. Although the TXA group had more operative levels and a longer operative time, the transfusion rate was not different between the TXA and no-TXA groups (7.4% vs 8%, p = 0.83). Stepwise multivariate regression found that the number of operative levels was an independent predictor of perioperative transfusion and that both operative levels and operative time were correlated with estimated blood loss. TXA was not identified as an independent predictor of any postoperative complication. CONCLUSIONS: A standardized preoperative 2 g bolus TXA dosing regimen was associated with an excellent safety profile, and despite increased case complexity in terms of number of operative levels and operative time, patients treated with TXA did not require more blood transfusions than patients not treated with TXA.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of topical tranexamic acid in spine surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Tranexamic acid (TXA) is an antifibrinolytic drug associated with reduced blood loss in a range of surgical specialties, including neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, and cardiac surgery. Concerns about venous thromboembolism and seizures from intravenous (IV) TXA have led to increased use of topical TXA. Given the relative scarcity of the literature on topical TXA compared with that on IV TXA within neurosurgery, the authors aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis on the safety, efficacy, and optimal administration of topical TXA in a wide range of spinal procedures and pathologies. METHODS: The PRISMA guidelines, Cochrane risk of bias tool, and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale were used to extract randomized controlled trials and high-quality case-control and cross-sectional/cohort studies (adult studies only) from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase published between 2016 and 2023. Studies were analyzed by two independent reviewers for variables including dosage, TXA administration route, type of spine procedure, blood loss, adverse events including thromboembolism and infection, postoperative hemoglobin level, and hospitalization length. Pooled analysis comparing intraoperative and postoperative blood loss, postoperative hemoglobin levels, and hospitalization length of stay on the basis of route of TXA administration was conducted. RESULTS: Four cohort studies, 1 cross-sectional study, 1 case-control study, and 12 randomized controlled trials, together involving 2045 patients, were included. The most common route of topical TXA administration was via TXA in saline solution. Other routes of topical TXA included retrograde injection and TXA-soaked Gelfoam. In pooled analysis, topical TXA significantly reduced visible blood loss (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.22, 95% CI -0.45 to -0.00001), postoperative blood loss (SMD -1.63, 95% CI -2.03 to -1.22), and length of hospital stay (SMD -1.02, 95% CI -1.42 to -0.61), as well as higher postoperative hemoglobin (SMD 0.59, 95% CI 0.34-0.83), compared with non-TXA controls. No significant differences in outcomes were found between topical and IV TXA or between combined (topical and IV) and IV TXA. Thromboembolism and infection rates did not significantly differ between any TXA administration group and non-TXA controls. CONCLUSIONS: In pooled analyses, topical TXA was associated with decreased perioperative blood loss in a wide range of scenarios, including cervical spine surgery and thoracolumbar trauma, as well as in patients with a thromboembolic history.

[Massive pulmonary thromboembolism in a patient with Crohn's disease and latent tuberculosis treated with ustekinumab]. / Tromboembolia pulmonar masiva en un paciente con enfermedad de Crohn y tuberculosis latente tratada con ustekinumab.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a spectrum of chronic immune-mediated diseases that affect the gastrointestinal tract and other extraintestinal systems, behaving as a systemic disease. Thromboembolic phenomena are a frequent complication in IBD, because of hypercoagulability states associated with disease activity, and their presence has a negative impact on prognosis and patient survival. Due to this, the control of the inflammatory activity of IBD is one of the pillars in the control of thromboembolic events. Biological drugs are associated with rapid control of the inflammatory process, however, the security profile for the reactivation of latent infections, particularly tuberculosis, is always discussed. We present the case of a 37-year-old patient who presented with deep vein thrombosis in the left lower limb and later with massive pulmonary thromboembolism. During his evaluation, he was diagnosed with Crohn's disease (CD). When carrying out the studies prior to the use of biologics, PPD and quantiferon tests were positive. After discussing the case, we decided to start treatment with ustekinumab.

Thromboembolic and bleeding complications during interruptions and after discontinuation of anticoagulant treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation and active cancer: A daily practice evaluation.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Cancer provides challenges to the continuity of anticoagulant treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), e.g. through cancer-related surgery or complications. We aimed to provide data on the incidence and reasons for interrupting and discontinuing anticoagulant treatment in AF patients with cancer and to assess its contribution to the risk of thromboembolism (TE) and major bleeding (MB). METHODS: This retrospective study identified AF patients with cancer in two hospitals between 2012 and 2017. Data on anticoagulant treatment, TE and MB were collected during two-year follow-up. Incidence rates (IR) per 100 patient-years and adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) were obtained for TE and MB occurring during on- and off-anticoagulant treatment, during interruption and after resumption, and after permanent discontinuation. RESULTS: 1213 AF patients with cancer were identified, of which 140 patients permanently discontinued anticoagulants and 426 patients experienced one or more interruptions. Anticoagulation was most often interrupted or discontinued due to cancer-related treatment (n = 441, 62 %), bleeding (n = 129, 18 %) or end of life (n = 36, 5 %). The risk of TE was highest off-anticoagulation and during interruptions, with IRs of 19 (14-25)) and 105 (64-13), and aHRs of 3.1 (1.9-5.0) and 4.6 (2.4-9.0), respectively. Major bleeding risk were not only increased during an interruption, but also in the first 30 days after resumption, with IRs of 33 (12-72) and 30 (17-48), and aHRs of 3.3 (1.1-9.8) and 2.4 (1.2-4.6), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Interruption of anticoagulation therapy harbors high TE and MB risk in AF patients with cancer. The high incidence rates call for better (periprocedural) anticoagulant management strategies tailored to the cancer setting.

Effectiveness of perioperative anticoagulation interruption without heparin bridging on thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing elective invasive procedures: a systematic review protocol.

OBJECTIVE: This review will determine whether withholding heparin bridging is superior to bridging in patients with atrial fibrillation requiring temporary interruption of anticoagulation therapy in the perioperative period of an elective invasive procedure. INTRODUCTION: Atrial fibrillation is the most commonly diagnosed clinical arrhythmia. It is an important cause of cardioembolic events, requiring the use of oral anticoagulation in most patients. It is unclear whether heparin bridging during temporary interruption of anticoagulants has superior outcomes compared with no bridging in the perioperative setting. INCLUSION CRITERIA: This review will consider studies that compare adults aged 18 years or older; diagnosed with atrial fibrillation; undergoing elective invasive procedures; and who have had oral anticoagulants temporarily withheld with heparin bridging with patients without heparin bridging. Participants will be excluded if they had an alternative reason for anticoagulation or were admitted for emergency surgery. Outcomes will include arterial or venous thromboembolism (including stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism), major bleeding events, non-major bleeding events, length of hospital stay, and all-cause mortality. METHODS: The review will follow the JBI methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness. Databases including MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and CENTRAL will be searched for randomized and non-randomized trials from inception until the present. Two independent reviewers will screen citations by title and abstract, and again at full text. Risk of bias will be assessed using the JBI critical appraisal instrument, and data will be extracted using a modified extraction tool. Results will be synthesized using a random effects meta-analysis and presented in a forest plot. Heterogeneity will be tested for using the standard χ 2 and I2 tests. Overall certainty of evidence will be evaluated using the GRADE approach. REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42022348538.

Anticoagulant Treatment in Patients with AF and Very High Thromboembolic Risk in the Era before and after the Introduction of NOAC: Observation at a Polish Reference Centre.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with an increased risk of stroke. Therefore, patients with AF require appropriate management and anticoagulant therapy. To balance therapy risks and benefits, oral anticoagulants (OAC) treatment should be 'tailored' in patients at a high risk of stroke and bleeding. However, some studies have demonstrated that certain groups of patients do not receive anticoagulants despite the high risk of stroke or thromboembolism. The study aimed to analyse therapeutic methods of stroke prevention in very high-risk patients (CHA2DS2-VASc score of ≥5 in men and ≥6 in women), identify factors predisposing against the use of OACs and assess the administration of anticoagulants before the introduction of non-vitamin K antagonist OAC (NOAC) in 2004-2011 and beyond (years 2012-2019). The analysis covered 2441 patients with AF at a very high thromboembolic risk who were hospitalised in a reference cardiological centre from 2004 to 2019. Data concerning patients' sex, age, comorbidities, type of AF, renal and echocardiographic parameters, reasons for hospitalisation and applied treatment were collected from medical records. HAS-BLED, CHADS2, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores were calculated for all patients. The treatment with oral anticoagulants was compared in the entire population over 2004-2011 and 2012-2019. In this study, a fifth of patients were not treated with OAC. Most patients hospitalised in the years 2012-2019 were treated with OAC. The predictors of not using OAC turned out to be: age of >74 years, heart failure, cancer, paroxysmal AF, and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or elective coronary angiography/percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) as a reason for hospitalisation. The introduction of NOAC was associated with a decline in the use of VKA (from 62% to 19.1%) and APT (from 29.1% to 1.3%). This study outlines reasons to initiate OAC treatment in very high-risk patients in clinical practice.

Impact of atrial fibrillation and anticoagulation on the risk of death, thromboembolic disease and bleeding in patients with COVID-19: the ACO-VID Registry.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical profile, risk of complications and impact of anticoagulation in COVID-19 hospitalized patients, according to the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Multicenter, retrospective, and observational study that consecutively included patients >55 years admitted with COVID-19 from March to October 2020. In AF patients, anticoagulation was chosen based on clinicians' judgment. Patients were followed-up for 90 days. RESULTS: A total of 646 patients were included, of whom 75.2% had AF. Overall, mean age was 75 ± 9.1 years and 62.4% were male. Patients with AF were older and had more comorbidities. The most common anticoagulants used during hospitalization in patients with AF were edoxaban (47.9%), low molecular weight heparin (27.0%), and dabigatran (11.7%) and among patients without AF, these numbers were 0%, 93.8% and 0%. Overall, during the study period (68 ± 3 days), 15.2% of patients died, 8.2% of patients presented a major bleeding and 0.9% had a stroke/systemic embolism. During hospitalization, patients with AF had a higher risk of major bleeding (11.3% vs 0.7%; p < .01), COVID-19-related deaths (18.0% vs 4.5%; p = .02), and all-cause deaths (20.6% vs 5.6%; p = .02). Age (HR 1.5; 95% CI 1.0-2.3) and elevated transaminases (HR 3.5; 95% CI 2.0-6.1) were independently associated with all-cause mortality. AF was independently associated with major bleeding (HR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1-5.3). CONCLUSIONS: Among patients hospitalized with COVID-19, patients with AF were older, had more comorbidities and had a higher risk of major bleeding. Age and elevated transaminases during hospitalization, but not AF nor anticoagulant treatment increased the risk of all-cause death.

Bridging the Gap in Cancer-Related Stroke Management: Update on Therapeutic and Preventive Approaches.

The underlying aetiopathophysiology of cancer-related strokes and thromboembolisms differs from that of noncancer-related strokes, which makes treating cancer-related strokes and thromboembolisms a distinct clinical challenge. This necessitates the development of novel, individualised diagnostic and treatment strategies. However, limited guidelines are available for the management of cancer-related strokes and the prevention of acute strokes or other thromboembolic events in this patient population. In this article, we present an updated overview of the therapeutic and preventive strategies for strokes in cancer settings. These strategies include acute reperfusion therapy, anticoagulant therapy, antiplatelet therapy, and lifestyle management options. We also outline comprehensive pathways and highlight gaps in the evidence-based clinical management of cancer-related strokes or thromboembolisms. Additionally, future recommendations for the management of strokes in cancer patients are provided.

Evaluation of the Time to Onset and Outcome of Lenalidomide-induced Thrombosis and Embolism Using Spontaneous Reporting Database.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Lenalidomide (LND) is an oral antineoplastic agent used in the treatment of various malignant hematologic diseases, including multiple myeloma. Major adverse events of LND include myelosuppression, pneumonia, and thromboembolism. Thromboembolism is an adverse drug reaction (ADR) associated with poor outcomes, therefore anticoagulants are administered prophylactically. However, LND-induced thromboembolism has not been clearly characterized from clinical trials. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the incidence, timing, and outcome details of thromboembolism caused by LND using the JADER (Japanese Adverse Drug Event Report) database. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ADRs due to LND reported from April 2004 to March 2021 were selected. Data on thromboembolic adverse events were analyzed and relative risks were estimated using reported odds ratios (RORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In addition, the time of onset and outcome of thromboembolism were analyzed. RESULTS: There were 11,681 adverse events attributed to LND. Of these, 306 were thromboembolisms. The most frequently reported thrombosis with the highest ROR was deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (165 cases, ROR=7.12, 95%CI=6.09-8.33). The median onset of DVT (quartiles, 25-75%) was 80 (28-155) days. The parameter value (ß) was 0.87 (0.76-0.99), suggesting the onset of DVT early in treatment. The prognosis of DVT due to LND was recovery and remission in 34% and 43% of patients, respectively, but 7.9% did not recover. CONCLUSION: DVT is the most frequent thromboembolism in LND, and early treatment is important.

Thrombosis in multiple myeloma: Risk estimation by induction regimen and association with overall survival.

Lenalidomide-containing (R) triplet and quadruplet regimens are the standard of care for multiple myeloma (MM) and have been shown to increase the risk of thrombosis. The association between thromboembolism (TE) and survival in the novel multidrug era is not yet delineated. In this study, we evaluated the incidence of TE during the first year of MM diagnosis, its association with the type of induction regimen, and its impact on overall survival. We studied 672 newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) patients who received a triplet or quadruplet lenalidomide-based induction at the Mayo Clinic, Rochester. TE was diagnosed in 83 patients (12.4%). Of these, 56 (8.3%) had a deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 23 (3.4%) had a pulmonary embolism (PE) with or without the DVT, and 4 (0.6%) patients had a stroke. Carfilzomib-Rd (KRd) had the highest risk of TE (21.1%, 18/85), followed by quadruplets (11.1%, 5/45), bortezomib-Rd (9.6%, 51/531), and 0/11 (0%), treated with other lenalidomide-containing regimens. The difference in TE risk between KRd and the other regimens was statistically significant (OR = 2.6, p < .01). Nine patients developed a TE before being exposed to any treatment. Survival was significantly lower among patients that developed a TE (66 vs. 133 months, p < .01). The association of TE with reduced survival demonstrated in univariate analysis (HR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.6-3.3) was maintained in the multivariable analysis adjusted for high-risk interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), sex, age, receipt of an upfront transplant, the response at induction, and the International Staging System (ISS) (HR = 2.61, CI = 1.74-3.9). We conclude that TE is an important aspect of MM management, and effective management is especially relevant in the novel treatment era.

Barriers to medication adherence in children, adolescents, and young adults prescribed anticoagulation.

Pediatric and adolescent and young adult (AYA) thromboembolism is treated with anticoagulation, but little is known about adherence. The aims of this study were to describe barriers to adherence among children and AYAs (ages 0-25 years) prescribed anticoagulants and to explore the relationship between barriers and self-reported adherence. Nearly 75% of patients and caregivers reported barriers, and a larger number of barriers was associated with missing at least one dose in the past month per both patient (rpb  = 0.48, p = .01) and caregiver (rpb  = 0.52, p = .01) report. Limitations, clinical implications, and future directions are discussed.

Epidemiology, Mechanisms, and Management of Atrial Fibrillation in Cardiac Amyloidosis.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is a restrictive disease that results from intramyocardial amyloid deposition due to immunoglobulin light chain or transthyretin proteins. Up to two-third of CA patients have atrial fibrillation (AF) due to electromechanical, autonomic, and hemodynamic disturbances. AF in CA carries particularly increased risk of thromboembolism, prompting anticoagulation therapy irrespective of CHA2DS2VASc score. However, CA is also associated with enhanced bleeding risk that warrants thorough assessment of bleeding profile before initiation of anticoagulation. Management of AF in CA is challenging because these patients poorly tolerate rate control agents, while cardiomyopathy precludes most antiarrhythmic agents, leaving amiodarone as the preferred antiarrhythmic drug. The effectiveness of direct current cardioversion in restoring sinus rhythm in CA is comparable with that in the general population, although intraprocedural complication rates could be higher. Transesophageal echocardiogram should be performed prior to direct current cardioversion, given high incidence of intracardiac thrombus in these patients. Finally, the data on catheter ablation is limited.

Effectiveness and Safety of Oral Anticoagulants in Cardiac Amyloidosis: Lights and Shadows.

Cardiac amyloidosis (CA) is an infiltrative cardiomyopathy characterized by extracellular deposition of mis-folded proteins called amyloid. Cardiac complications of CA are several: heart failure, aortic valve stenosis, thromboembolism, conduction disorders, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular arrhythmias. Atrial dysfunction is common in CA patients. Several evidences suggest to anticoagulated patients with CA in atrial fibrillation independently from CHA2DS2VaSC score. Considering the high thromboembolic risk in CA patients, anticoagulant therapy should be considered also in CA patients in sinus rhythm, when the atria are enlarged and dysfunctional, and the bleeding risk is low. Unfortunately indication to anticoagulation in patients with CA in sinus rhythm still remains a gray zone. Also drug-drug interactions should be considered in patients with CA. In this review, we will evaluate the effectiveness and safety of oral anticoagulants in CA patients, and we will propose a practical guide for management of anticoagulant therapy in CA patients.

Prothrombin complex concentrates for the urgent reversal of apixaban and rivaroxaban: an Australian retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are now commonly prescribed medications. Urgent reversal of their anticoagulant effect is sometimes required in emergency situations. In Australia, a specific reversal agent for factor Xa (FXa)-inhibitor DOAC is not available. Instead, two non-specific haemostatic agents, activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) and 3 factor-prothrombin complex concentrate (3F-PCC), are used off-label despite a paucity of evidence for their effectiveness or safety. AIMS: To provide further insight into the efficacy and safety of 3F-PCC and aPCC for the reversal of the anticoagulant effect of FXa inhibitor DOACs. METHODS: We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study to investigate the use of aPCC and 3F-PCC for patients on FXa-inhibitor DOAC who present with a significant bleeding event or who require urgent surgery. The primary outcome was haemostatic efficacy according to prespecified criteria. Safety outcomes included the thromboembolic event rate and all-cause mortality during the hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 51 patients was included in the study (36 patients who had a spontaneous bleeding event and 15 non-bleeding patients who required urgent perioperative management). Thirty-one patients received aPCC and 20 patients received 3F-PCC. Haemostasis was adjudicated as effective in all assessable patients (n = 50; 100%). Thromboembolic events occurred in three patients who received aPCC and one patient who received 3F-PCC. All-cause mortality was 7.8% (four patients). CONCLUSIONS: Both aPCC and 3F-PCC are useful adjuncts for the management of patients who require urgent reversal of the anticoagulant effect of FXa-inhibitor DOAC. However, the risk of thromboembolism in this patient group requires careful consideration. Prospective, comparator studies are needed along with the development of guidelines that reflect the availability of haemostatic agents in Australia.

Antitrombóticos en las prótesis valvulares biológicas: ¿cuál es el mejor camino a seguir? / Antithrombotics in biological valve prostheses: what is the best way forward? / Antitrombóticos em próteses de válvulas biológicas: qual é o melhor caminho a seguir?

La enfermedad valvular cardíaca es una condición muy frecuente en la población general y un porcentaje considerable de estos pacientes requieren un tratamiento intervencionista sobre su valvulopatía para lograr atenuar su evolución natural. En este contexto, en la actualidad ha aumentado el uso de las prótesis valvulares biológicas para su tratamiento y, con ello, surge el dilema del manejo antitrombótico en estos pacientes en términos de prevención de tromboembolias y eventos hemorrágicos. ¿Cuál es el fármaco más efectivo y seguro en el período posoperatorio temprano? ¿Qué antitrombóticos podemos utilizar en el período posoperatorio tardío? ¿Qué estrategia seguimos cuando el paciente presenta otras indicaciones de anticoagulación? El objetivo de esta revisión es valorar la evidencia actual respecto al tratamiento antitrombótico en pacientes portadores de prótesis valvulares biológicas con y sin indicaciones adicionales de anticoagulación.

Heart valve disease is a very common condition in the general population and a considerable percentage of these patients require interventional treatment for their valve disease to mitigate its natural evolution. In this context, the use of biological prosthetic valves for their treatment has now increased, and with this, the dilemma of antithrombotic management in these patients arises, in terms of prevention of thromboembolism and hemorrhagic events. What is the most effective and safe drug in the early postoperative period? What antithrombotics can we use in the late postoperative period? What strategy do we follow when the patient presents other indications for anticoagulation? The objective of this review is to assess the current evidence regarding antithrombotic treatment in patients with biological prosthetic valves with and without additional indications for anticoagulation.

A valvopatia é uma condição muito comum na população geral e uma porcentagem considerável desses pacientes necessita de tratamento intervencionista para sua valvopatia para amenizar sua evolução natural. Nesse contexto, o uso de próteses valvares biológicas para seu tratamento tem aumentado, e com isso surge o dilema do manejo antitrombótico nesses pacientes em termos de prevenção de tromboembolismo e eventos hemorrágicos. Qual é o fármaco mais eficaz e seguro no pós-operatório imediato? Que antitrombóticos podemos usar no pós-operatório tardio? Que estratégia seguimos quando o paciente apresenta outras indicações de anticoagulação? O objetivo desta revisão é avaliar as evidências atuais sobre o tratamento antitrombótico em pacientes com próteses valvares biológicas com e sem indicações adicionais de anticoagulação.

COVID-19 associated coagulopathy and thrombosis in cancer.

Cancer patients are at risk for a more severe COVID-19 infection as well as an adverse outcome of such infection. This may be caused by the cancer itself (e.g haematological malignancies and lung cancer) or due to immune suppression caused by anti-cancer treatment. Severe COVID-19 infections are often complicated by a coagulopathy that clinically results in a high incidence of venous thromboembolic disease. Cancer itself is associated with a hypercoagulable state and a markedly increased incidence of thromboembolic complications, hence the combination of cancer and COVID-19 may amplify this risk. COVID-19 vaccination seems safe and effective in most cancer patients although adapted and bespoke vaccination schemes may increase the seroconversion rate and immune response in selected patients. Specific management strategies to improve outcomes of cancer patients in COVID-19 (e.g. higher intensity antithrombotic prophylaxis) are lacking and should be evaluated in clinical studies simultaneously focusing on efficacy and safety.