Multimodality Imaging for Best Dealing With Patients in Atrial Arrhythmias.

The management of atrial fibrillation (AF) is not only a clinical challenge but also an imaging challenge. The role of different imaging modalities to estimate the thromboembolic risk in AF is a key clinical question. The present review summarizes the advances of myocardial imaging in the stratification of thromboembolic risk, diagnosis, and management of left atrial thrombosis in patients with AF. These imaging techniques are also important for understanding arrhythmias and their consequences. It is becoming fundamental for guiding therapy. Still, large studies are required, but be sure that left atrial imaging will become more and more clinically fundamental.

Análise do grau de recanalização da trombose venosa profunda: estudo comparativo de pacientes tratados com varfarina versus rivaroxabana / Analysis of recanalization of deep venous thrombosis: a comparative study of patients treated with warfarin vs. rivaroxaban

Contexto A trombose venosa profunda (TVP) afeta anualmente cerca de dez milhões de pessoas no mundo e tem como principais complicações a embolia pulmonar e a síndrome pós-trombótica. O tratamento padrão é a anticoagulação, que pode ser realizada com heparinas, antagonistas da vitamina K, fondaparinux ou, mais recentemente, com anticoagulantes orais diretos (direct oral anticoagulants, DOACs). Os anticoagulantes diminuem a progressão do trombo e facilitam os mecanismos trombolíticos naturais, fato conhecido como recanalização, que pode ocorrer em graus e tempos variados, influenciados por diversos fatores, dentre eles o tipo de anticoagulação utilizado. Objetivos Avaliar o grau e o tempo de recanalização através da análise de laudos de eco-Doppler colorido (EDC) de pacientes com TVP tratados com DOACs ou com heparina + varfarina. Métodos Foram avaliados retrospectivamente os dados demográficos e os laudos dos EDC dos pacientes com TVP, tratados entre janeiro de 2009 a dezembro de 2016. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos, de acordo com a terapêutica utilizada: Grupo I (heparina + varfarina): 26 pacientes; Grupo II (rivaroxabana): 51 pacientes. Os principais itens observados foram o grau e o tempo para a recanalização. Resultados Foram observadas taxas de recanalização aos 30, 90 e 180 dias de 10%, 52,5% e 78,9%, respectivamente, no Grupo I, e de 55,3%, 83,5% e 92,4%, respectivamente, no Grupo II, com diferença estatisticamente significativa (p = 0,041). Conclusões Ambos os tratamentos promoveram recanalização. Houve recanalização mais precoce no grupo de pacientes que utilizaram a rivaroxabana

Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) strikes around ten million people worldwide every year and is associated with major complications including pulmonary embolism and post-thrombotic syndrome. Anticoagulation is the standard treatment, with administration of heparins, vitamin K antagonists, fondaparinux, or, more recently, direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Anticoagulants reduce thrombus progression and facilitate natural thrombolytic mechanisms, leading to a phenomenon known as recanalization, which can occur in varying degrees and over variable periods of time, under influence from many different factors, including the type of anticoagulation employed. Objectives To evaluate the degree of recanalization and the time taken, by analysis of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) reports from patients with DVT treated with DOACs or with heparin + warfarin. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted of demographic data and CDU reports from patients with DVT who had been treated from January 2009 to December 2016. These patients were classified into two groups, according to the treatment given: Group I (heparin + warfarin): 26 patients; or Group II (rivaroxaban): 51 patients. The primary outcomes assessed were degree of recanalization and time taken. Results Recanalization rates at 30, 90, and 180 days were 10%, 52.5%, and 78.9%, respectively, in Group I, and 55.3%, 83.5%, and 92.4%, respectively, in Group II, with statistically significant difference (p = 0.041). Conclusions Both treatments led to recanalization. Recanalization occurred earlier among patients treated with rivaroxaban

Arritmias cardíacas na sala de emergência e UTI. Anticoagulação do paciente com FA aguda submetido a cardioversão: já podemos contar com os novos anticoagulantes orais? / Cardiac arrhythmias in the emergency room and ICU. Anticoagulation of the patient with acute af undergoing cardioversion: can we rely on the new oral antioagulants?

A fibrilação atrial (FA) é a arritmia cardíaca mais comum na população com uma prevalência de 1-2%, além disso, está associada a um risco, aproximadamente cinco vezes maior de acidente vascular cerebral do que na população em geral. A anticoagulação é a melhor maneira de prevenir os eventos tromboembólicos. A varfarina é utilizada há décadas como uma droga segura e eficaz, desde que rigorosamente controlada. Nos últimos anos, foram desenvolvidas novas classes de anticoagulantes orais: inibidores diretos da trombina e inibidores do fator Xa, conhecidos como anticoagulantes orais de ação direta (DOACs). Tanto a cardioversão elétrica quanto a cardioversão farmacológica estão associadas a um maior risco de eventos tromboembólicos durante o primeiro mês após o procedimento (5-7%). No entanto, com a utilização de nticoagulantes essa taxa é inferior a 1%. No presente artigo, faremos uma revisão das principais evidências científicas relacionadas ao uso da dabigatrana, rivaroxabana, apixabana e edoxabana durante a cardioversão e uma abordagem prática com o manejo antitrombótico em diferentes cenários clínicos (cardioversão em pacientes com uso prévio de DOACs, cardioversão em pacientes com FA com duração maior ou menor que 48 horas sem anticoagulação)

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia in clinical practice with a prevalence of 1-2%, and is associated with an almost 5-fold increase in the risk of stroke compared to the general population. Anticoagulation is the best way to prevent thromboembolic events. Warfarin has been used for decades as a safe and effective drug, provided it is strictly controlled. In recent years, new classes of oral anticoagulants have been developed: direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors, known as direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Both electrical and pharmacological cardioversion are associated with an increased risk of thromboembolic events during the first month after the procedure (5-7%). However, with the use of anticoagulants, this rate is less than 1%. In this article, we will review the main scientific evidence related to the use of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and edoxaban during cardioversion and a practical approach with antithrombotic management in different clinical scenarios (cardioversion of patients in previous use of DOACs, cardioversion of patients not using oral anticoagulants with episodes of AF longer or shorter than 48 h)

Manifestations of neurological symptoms and thromboembolism in adults with MTHFR-deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Methylenetetrahydrofolate-reductase (MTHFR) deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder affecting intracellular folate metabolism with affection of different organ systems and clinical manifestation usually in childhood. OBJECTIVE: We report on four adult members of a family with MTHFR deficiency presenting with neurological and thromboembolic complications in adulthood. METHODS: Extensive diagnostic work-up including genetic testing was performed in four adult members. RESULTS: The male siblings aged 42 and 32years presented with various neurological symptoms, and a recent history of deep vein thrombosis. Extensive diagnostic work-up revealed total homocysteine (tHcy) plasma concentrations of 135µmol/L and 231µmol/L. and compound heterozygosity for two novel MTHFR gene mutations in exon 2 (c.202C>G, p.Arg68Gly) and intron 10 (c.1632+2T>G), and the known polymorphic variant MTHFR c.665C>T (p.Ala222Val, MTHFR 677C>T). Their mother was heterozygous for MTHFR c.1632+2T>G and c.665C>T, and a paternal relative was heterozygous for MTHFR c.202.C>G and MTHFR c.665C>T mutation. Both brothers showed partial response to therapy with betaine and multivitamins with clinical improvement. MTHFR activity was determined in fibroblast extracts and was around 4% of the mean control. Cell culture analysis indicated a re-methylation defect due to MTHFR deficiency. CONCLUSION: Severe hyperhomocysteinemia due to two mutations of the MTHFR gene resulted in severe neurological symptoms in adulthood. Vitamin and methionine supplementation stabilize tHcy plasma levels. Severity of clinical manifestation varied greatly between the siblings. Damages to the nervous system may be present for years before becoming clinically manifest.

Terapia anticoagulante no idoso: foco na fibrilação atrial / Anticoagulant therapy in the elderly: focus on atrial fibrillation

O uso da terapia anticoagulante em idosos tem sido muito discutido, principalmente após o surgimento dos anticoagulantes de ação direta (DOACs). Por anos, os antagonistas da vitamina K (representados principalmente pela varfarina) foram a única opção de prevenção de acidente vascular cerebral (AVC) e de embolia sistêmica (ES) em pacientes com fibrilação atrial (FA), bem como prevenção e tratamento de tromboembolismo venoso (TEV). Os DOACs tornaram-se opção melhor que a varfarina na população idosa por serem tão ou mais eficazes e apresentarem um risco de sangramento igual ou menor e risco mais baixo de hemorragia intracraniana. Além disso, têm menor interação medicamentosa e alimentar e não requerem monitoramento laboratorial contínuo. A população idosa tem sido subtratada devido aos riscos e aos receios dos profissionais quanto ao uso dos anticoagulantes. Seja pelo risco de quedas, de sangramento, polifarmácia ou presença de comprometimento cognitivo, os riscos devem ser muito bem avaliados e adequadamente abordados, uma vez que o benefício da anticoagulação é evidente nos idosos. A idade não é contraindicação para terapia anticoagulante e seu uso diminui a mortalidade e aumenta a sobrevida livre de incapacidade

The use of anticoagulant therapy in the elderly has been much discussed, especially after the development of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). For years, the vitamin K antagonists (represented mainly by warfarin) were the only option for stroke and systemic embolism (SE) prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), as well as for the treatment and prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). DOACs have become a better option than warfarin in the elderly population because they are as good as or more effective and present an equal or lesser bleeding risk and a lower risk of intracranial hemorrhage. In addition, they have limited drug and food interactions and do not require continuous laboratory monitoring. The elderly population has been under-treated because of the risks and professionals fears prescribing anticoagulants. Whether due to the risk of falls, bleeding, polypharmacy, or the presence of cognitive impairment, the risks should be well evaluated and appropriately addressed, since the benefit of anticoagulation is evident in the elderly. Age is not a contraindication for anticoagulant therapy, and its use decreases mortality and increases disability-free survival

Terapias anticoagulantes na doença renal crônica / Anticoagulant therapies in chronic renal disease

Os pacientes com doença renal crônica (DRC) têm tendências hemorrágicas e trombóticas e, por isso, a indicação de anticoagulantes é complexa nos indivíduos com fibrilação atrial (FA). A FA é a arritmia mais frequente na DRC, sendo o tromboembolismo e o ictus suas principais complicações. A introdução de novos anticoagulantes orais diretos (DOACs) tem se mostrado superior aos antagonistas da vitamina K, tanto na prevenção de tromboembolismos sistêmicos como no risco de sangramento. Contudo, devem ser prescritos com cautela nesse grupo de pacientes. Para os indivíduos com DRC e clearance renal entre 30 e 50 ml/min, as doses da dabigatrana e da rivaroxabana devem ser reduzidas, no caso de pacientes com elevado risco de sangramento, não havendo necessidade de reduzir as doses de apixabana e edoxabana. Em pacientes com clearance renal entre 15 e 29 ml/min o uso da dabigatrana é contraindicado, a rivaroxabana e a edoxabana não exigem ajuste terapêutico e a dose de apixabana deve ser ajustada. Nenhum dos DOACs é indicado em pacientes com clearance renal < 15 mg/min. Outro problema da terapêutica com os DOACs é o custo do medicamento, muito superior aos dos antagonistas da vitamina K, trazendo algumas implicações clínicas relevantes: suspensão terapêutica por restrições econômicas, que mesmo quando transitória, coloca o paciente em risco de eventos tromboembólicos devido à perda rápida de seus efeitos anticoagulantes e pela possibilidade de hipercoagulabilidade paradoxal. A maior parte da população é tratada em hospitais públicos e recebe os antagonistas de vitamina K. Por isso, enquanto a relação custo-efetividade dos DOACs não for esclarecida, a prevenção e o tratamento de pacientes com DRC e FA com os antagonistas de vitamina K estão consagrados e podem trazer benefícios para esse grupo de pacientes

Patients with chronic renal disease (CRD) have hemorrhagic and thrombotic tendencies, therefore the indication of anticoagulants is complex in individuals with atrial fibrillation (AF). AF is the most frequent arrhythmia in CRD, and thromboembolism and cerebral stroke are its main complications. The introduction of new oral anticoagulants (DOACs) has proven to be superior to vitamin K antagonists in preventing systemic thromboembolisms and bleeding risk. However, they should be prescribed with caution in this group of patients. For individuals with CRD and renal clearance between 30 and 50 ml/min, the doses of dabigatran and rivaroxaban should be reduced, in the case of patients with high risk of bleeding, and it is not necessary to reduce the doses of apixaban and edoxaban. In patients with renal clearance between 15 and 29 ml/min, the use of dabigatran is contraindicated, rivaroxaban and edoxaban do not require therapeutic adjustment, and the dose of apixaban should be adjusted. No DOACs is indicated in patients with renal clearance < 15 mg/min. Another problem with DOACs therapy is the cost of the medication, which is much higher than that of vitamin K antagonists, with some important clinical implications: therapeutic suspension due to economic restrictions, even if temporary, place the patient at risk of thromboembolic events due to the rapid loss of anticoagulant effects and the possibility of paradoxical hypercoagulability. Most of the population is treated in public hospitals, and receives vitamin K antagonists. Therefore, while the cost-effectiveness ratio of DOACs has not been clarified, prevention and treatment of patients with CRD and AF with vitamin K antagonists is consecrated, and can bring benefits for this group of patients

Terapia anticoagulante nas valvopatias / Anticoagulant therapy in valvulopathies

As valvopatias, especialmente na presença da fibrilação atrial (FA), aumentam o risco de eventos tromboembólicos que, além de modificar a história natural da doença, têm impacto significativo na sobrevida e na qualidade de vida dos pacientes. Além do envelhecimento da população mundial, com o consequente número crescente de pacientes com fibrilação atrial, há cada vez mais associações de valvopatias com a doença arterial coronariana (DAC). Nesse grupo de pacientes para os quais há indicação emergencial ou eletiva de intervenção coronariana percutânea (ICP) com implante de stents, serão prescritos antiplaquetários e anticoagulantes ao menos nos primeiros meses pós-ICP. A prevenção do tromboembolismo (TE) com anticoagulantes, como a varfarina ou com os anticoagulantes orais diretos (AOD), é recomendada na maioria das diretrizes. O emprego dos escores CHADS2-VASc e HAS-BLED são úteis para a quantificação dos riscos TE e hemorrágicos

Valvulopathies, especially in the presence of atrial fibrillation (AF), increase the risk of thromboembolic events, which in addition to modifying the natural history of the disease; have a significant impact on survival and quality of life of patients. In addition to the aging of the world's population, with a consequent increase in the number of patients with atrial fibrillation, there are increasing cases of associations of valvular diseases with coronary artery disease (CAD). In this group of patients, in whom there is an emergency or elective indication for percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) with the implantation of stents, antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies will be prescribed, at least in the first months after PCI. The prevention of thromboembolic events (TE) with anticoagulants, such as warfarin, or with direct oral anticoagulants (DAOCs), is recommended in most of the Guidelines. The use of the CHADS2-VASc and HAS-BLED scores are useful in the quantification of TE and hemorrhagic risks

Terapia anticoagulante na ablação e cardioversão elétrica da fibrilação atrial / Anticoagulant therapy in ablation and electric cardioversion of atrial ibrillation

tratamento da FA, os pacientes podem ser submetidos a atendimentos eletivos ou de emergência para a reversão do ritmo, incluindo a cardioversão química ou elétrica, bem como o tratamento intervencionista de ablação por cateter, visando a melhora dos sintomas e da qualidade de vida. Em todas as modalidades do tratamento, a terapia anticoagulante oral (ACO) é um dos pilares do tratamento da FA, indispensável para a prevenção de eventos tromboembólicos. A incorporação dos chamados "anticoagulantes de ação direta" (DOAC) no arsenal do tratamento representou um novo paradigma, com estudos randomizados controlados e as evidências de mundo real demonstrando resultados de eficácia e segurança comparáveis com relação à varfarina, com a vantagem de menor interação medicamentosa e alimentar e menor risco de hemorragias catastróficas. O uso de DOAC para o manejo de pacientes que serão submetidos ao procedimento de ablação por cateter para o tratamento intervencionista da FA ou cardioversão elétrica/química é hoje uma realidade cada vez mais presente e tem respaldo dos estudos randomizados controlados e das experiências em vários centros hospitalares mundiais, com esquema e programação mais simples e melhor comodidade no manejo da anticoagulação

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia in clinical practice. During the course of AF, patients may be submitted to elective or emergency approaches for rhythm reversal, including pharmacological or electrical cardioversion, as well interventional treatment with catheter ablation, to improve the symptoms and quality of life. In all treatment modalities, it is important to emphasize that oral anticoagulant therapy (OAC) is one of the pillars of AF treatment, and is indispensable for preventing thromboembolic events. The incorporation of so-called "direct oral anticoagulants" (DOACs) into the arsenal of treatment represented a new paradigm, with randomized controlled trials and real-world clinical evidence demonstrating comparable efficacy and safety to warfarin, with the advantage of less drug and food interaction and less risk of catastrophic bleeding. The use of DOACs for the management of patients undergoing catheter ablation for interventional AF treatment or electrical/pharmacological cardioversion is increasingly used and supported by randomized controlled trials and experiences in several worldwide hospital centers, with a simpler regimen and programming and easier management of anticoagulation

Manejo perioperatório dos novos anticoagulantes orais / Perioperative management of new oral anticoagulants

Os novos anticoagulantes orais revolucionaram a terapia de anticoagulação ao propiciar maior comodidade posológica e utilizar doses fixas, sem necessidade de acompanhamento do efeito com séries de exames laboratoriais e com menor risco de interações medicamentosas e alimentares. Porém, por serem medicamentos relativamente novos na prática clínica e, até recentemente, não existirem antídotos específicos para a reversão do seu efeito, o manejo no contexto perioperatório sempre gerou certo receio e questionamentos. O manejo adequado dos novos anticoagulantes no perioperatório envolve a avaliação cuidadosa do risco de tromboembolismo a que o paciente está sujeito na eventualidade da suspensão desses agentes em comparação com o risco de sangramento associado à manutenção; essa avaliação precisa abordar a susceptibilidade tanto de fatores relacionados com o paciente quanto do próprio tipo da cirurgia. Publicações recentes conseguiram reunir as evidências mais atuais que norteiam as estratégias de manejo desses medicamentos na eventualidade de um procedimento cirúrgico

The new oral anticoagulants have revolutionized anticoagulant therapy by providing greater dosage convenience, using fixed doses, without the need to monitor the effect with series of laboratory tests, and with a lower risk of drug and food interactions. However, because they are relatively new medications in clinical practice, and because until recently they did not have specific antidotes to reverse their effect, their handling in the perioperative context has always generated a certain fear and questioning. The proper management of the new anticoagulants in the perioperative period involves a careful evaluation of the thromboembolic risk to which the patient is subject in the event of suspension of these agents, compared with the risk of bleeding associated with their maintenance; this evaluation must address the susceptibility of both patient-related factors and the type of surgery. Recent publications have been able to gather the most recent evidence, which guides the strategies for handling these drugs in the event of a surgical procedure

Efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine on thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in combination with Western medicine (WM) has been widely used worldwide. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of TCM in prevention of thromboembolic events in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). METHODS: Potential studies were searched through the Cochrane Library, PubMed, EMBASE, CBM, VIP, CNKI, and Wanfang databases up to February 2016. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the thromboembolic events and/or safety outcome of TCM in patients with AF were included. RESULTS: A total of 905 AF patients from 9 RCTs were identified. Meta-analysis showed that TCM in combination with warfarin was better than warfarin alone for preventing total thromboembolic events with a 68% reduction of risk (risk ratio [RR] 0.32; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.13-0.78) without increasing the risk of total bleeding (RR 0.71; 95% CI 0.29-1.72). Compared with warfarin, TCM therapy was associated with lower risk of total bleeding (RR 0.13; 95% CI 0.04-0.47), but increased the risk of total thromboembolic events (RR 1.84; 95% CI 1.03-3.27). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis suggests that TCM combined with warfarin is superior to warfarin alone for the prevention of total thromboembolic events in patients with AF, with equal risk of bleeding as warfarin alone.

Antídotos de los nuevos anticoagulantes orales: realidad y expectativas / Antidotes for the new oral anticoagulants: reality and expectations

No disponible

How to manage patients on rivaroxaban in the emergency department: a statement of the Italian society of emergency medicine advisory board.

Rivaroxaban, a new oral anticoagulant, has been approved in many countries and its everyday use in clinical practice is increasing. Thus, the chances for an emergency physician to encounter rivaroxaban-treated patients in emergency situations have increased. Here, the authors address the main issues in terms of the prescription of rivaroxaban and the management of these patients in cases of minor or major bleeding, urgent surgery, atrial fibrillation requiring cardioversion, acute ischemic stroke, ST-elevation myocardial infarction, and new onset of atrial fibrillation in recent ST-elevation myocardial infarction. The recommendations reached are based on a literature review and a panel discussion of the advisory board of SIMEU, the Italian Society of Emergency Medicine.

Thrombotic complications of neonates and children with congenital nephrotic syndrome.

Congenital nephrotic syndrome (CNS) refers to a disease presenting with massive proteinuria in association with hypoalbuminemia, hyperlipidemia, and edema at birth or within the first three months of life. In the past, most children with CNS had extremely poor prognosis and succumbed to various complications, usually within the first 6 months. Recent advancements in protein supplementation and nutritional support, renal replacement therapy and renal transplantation in infancy, render these patients to have much better outcomes. However, there are still many hurdles in the management of this disease. Thromboembolism is an uncommon, yet important complication which the healthcare givers must be aware of. This article reviews the challenges in the management of the thrombotic complications with special emphasis on the unique characteristics of the newborn hemostasis system and anti-thrombin (AT) depletion in nephrotic syndrome. Due to the relatively low incidence of CNS in children and scarce information in the literature on the optimal management of the thromboembolic complications, most of the recommendations are based on the authors' experience.

Spontaneous neonatal arterial thromboembolism: infants at risk, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.

Neonatal spontaneous arterial thromboembolism is a rare phenomenon with a high risk of morbidity and mortality. Currently, there is little information regarding common risk factors, diagnostic strategies, therapeutic interventions, and outcomes of this condition. The objective was to nucleate the best evidence regarding the disorder in order to facilitate early detection and treatment recommendations and document adverse outcomes. Web of Science, PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Databases, DARE, and OVID databases were searched using the following keywords: 'arterial' AND 'thrombus' OR 'thrombosis' OR 'thromboembolism' OR 'embolism' AND 'spontaneous' AND 'at birth' OR 'newborn' OR 'neonatal' OR 'fetal' AND 'umbilical cord' OR 'umbilical wall necrosis' AND 'coagulation abnormality' OR 'placenta bits' OR 'ischemic limbs'. The search yielded 172 articles, all of which were case series or single case descriptions. Twenty-seven met inclusion criteria, with a total of 53 newborns and 30 newborn pathology reports. Ultrasound was the preferred method of diagnosis and thromboembolic locations varied with the most common site being umbilical, resulting in embolism and vascular compromise. Treatment interventions and drug dosages were not standardized and ranged from use of anticoagulants to surgery and hyperbaric oxygen. The reported mortality rate was 32.8%. Recurring etiological features facilitated identification of possible sequences of events contributing to the disorder. The literature lacks empirical evidence to affirm causes and predisposing risk factors for timely diagnosis and effective treatment of spontaneous neonatal arterial thromboembolism. Further research is needed to clearly establish the causes and the efficacy of specific treatment options.

Perioperative management of patients on chronic antithrombotic therapy.

Perioperative management of antithrombotic therapy is a situation that occurs frequently and requires consideration of the patient, the procedure, and an expanding array of anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents. Preoperative assessment must address each patient's risk for thromboembolic events balanced against the risk for perioperative bleeding. Procedures can be separated into those with a low bleeding risk, which generally do not require complete reversal of the antithrombotic therapy, and those associated with an intermediate or high bleeding risk. For patients who are receiving warfarin who need interruption of the anticoagulant, consideration must be given to whether simply withholding the anticoagulant is the optimal approach or whether a perioperative "bridge" with an alternative agent, typically a low-molecular-weight heparin, should be used. The new oral anticoagulants dabigatran and rivaroxaban have shorter effective half-lives, but they introduce other concerns for perioperative management, including prolonged drug effect in patients with renal insufficiency, limited experience with clinical laboratory testing to confirm lack of residual anticoagulant effect, and lack of a reversal agent. Antiplatelet agents must also be considered in the perioperative setting, with particular consideration given to the potential risk for thrombotic complications in patients with coronary artery stents who have antiplatelet therapy withheld.

Thrombembolic occlusion of crural arteries following transcatheter aortic valve implantation--successful endovascular recanalization using a thrombus aspiration device.

Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) has become an increasingly used alternative to conventional surgical valve replacement in patients with severe aortic valve stenosis (AS) and high operative risk. We here describe a case of a TAVI performed in local anesthesia causing intraprocedural thromboembolic occlusion of non-stenotic crural arteries and its immediate successful therapeutic management by means of endovascular recanalization using a thrombus aspiration device.

Treatment and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines.

BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an antibody-mediated adverse drug reaction that can lead to devastating thromboembolic complications, including pulmonary embolism, ischemic limb necrosis necessitating limb amputation, acute myocardial infarction, and stroke. METHODS: The methods of this guideline follow the Methodology for the Development of Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis Guidelines: Antithrombotic Therapy and Prevention of Thrombosis, 9th ed: American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines in this supplement. RESULTS: Among the key recommendations for this article are the following: For patients receiving heparin in whom clinicians consider the risk of HIT to be > 1%, we suggest that platelet count monitoring be performed every 2 or 3 days from day 4 to day 14 (or until heparin is stopped, whichever occurs first) (Grade 2C). For patients receiving heparin in whom clinicians consider the risk of HIT to be < 1%, we suggest that platelet counts not be monitored (Grade 2C). In patients with HIT with thrombosis (HITT) or isolated HIT who have normal renal function, we suggest the use of argatroban or lepirudin or danaparoid over other nonheparin anticoagulants (Grade 2C). In patients with HITT and renal insufficiency, we suggest the use of argatroban over other nonheparin anticoagulants (Grade 2C). In patients with acute HIT or subacute HIT who require urgent cardiac surgery, we suggest the use of bivalirudin over other nonheparin anticoagulants or heparin plus antiplatelet agents (Grade 2C). CONCLUSIONS: Further studies evaluating the role of fondaparinux and the new oral anticoagulants in the treatment of HIT are needed.

The incidence of symptomatic thromboembolism in patients receiving adjuvant anthracycline-based chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer.

Thromboembolism is a well recognised complication of systemic chemotherapy and cancer. Its incidence is frequently not reported in clinical trials of adjuvant chemotherapy for early stage breast cancer. Our own experience suggested that thromboembolic complications were common and we undertook a retrospective review of consecutive patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy to determine the incidence and morbidity/mortality of this complication. A total of 280 consecutive patients were identified who had received adjuvant ECMF chemotherapy between January 2001 and February 2007. Thromboembolic events occurred in 21 patients (7.5%). Events were distributed across chemotherapy cycles, but were more common during CMF chemotherapy (18 cases vs 3 cases). Patients over the age of 60 years appeared to be at particular risk of thromboembolism with an event rate of 27% (15/56 patients). Thromboembolic events were associated with dose delays and cessation of chemotherapy in some patients. With a median follow up of 28 months there is no significant difference in the incidence of breast cancer recurrence (16.7% vs 14.3%, p=0.9) or overall survival (89.5% vs 89.9%, p=0.8) between patients who experienced a thromboembolic event during adjuvant chemotherapy and those who did not. Based on the incidence of thromboembolism in our unselected patient population we believe that further prospective studies are indicated seeking to identify those patients at increased risk of this important complication who might benefit from thromboprophylaxis.

Eosinophilic vasculitis: an inhabitual and resistant manifestation of a vasculitis.

A 55-year-old woman was referred because of diffuse pruritic erythematous lesions and an ischemic process of the third finger of her right hand. She was known to have anaemia secondary to hypermenorrhea. She presented six months before admission with a cutaneous infiltration on the left cubital cavity after a paravenous leakage of intravenous iron substitution. She then reported a progressive pruritic erythematous swelling of her left arm and lower extremities and trunk. Skin biopsy of a lesion on the right leg revealed a fibrillar, small-vessel vasculitis containing many eosinophils.Two months later she reported Raynaud symptoms in both hands, with a persistent violaceous coloration of the skin and cold sensation of her third digit of the right hand. A round 1.5 cm well-delimited swelling on the medial site of the left elbow was noted. The third digit of her right hand was cold and of violet colour. Eosinophilia (19 % of total leucocytes) was present. Doppler-duplex arterial examination of the upper extremities showed an occlusion of the cubital artery down to the palmar arcade on the right arm. Selective angiography of the right subclavian and brachial arteries showed diffuse alteration of the blood flow in the cubital artery and hand, with fine collateral circulation in the carpal region. Neither secondary causes of hypereosinophilia nor a myeloproliferative process was found. Considering the skin biopsy results and having excluded other causes of eosinophilia, we assumed the diagnosis of an eosinophilic vasculitis. Treatment with tacrolimus and high dose steroids was started, the latter tapered within 12 months and then stopped, but a dramatic flare-up of the vasculitis with Raynaud phenomenon occurred. A new immunosuppressive approach with steroids and methotrexate was then introduced. This case of aggressive eosinophilic vasculitis is difficult to classify into the usual forms of vasculitis and constitutes a therapeutic challenge given the resistance to current immunosuppressive regimens.

Rationale of hyperbaric oxygenation in cerebral vascular insult.

Cerebrovascular diseases and especially ischemic stroke are a leading cause of death. They occur mostly due to an insufficient oxygen (O2) supply to the central neural tissue as a result of thromboembolic events and/or obstructive vessel disease. The primary damage of the brain tissue cannot be restored. However, adequate therapy could minimize secondary impairment of brain tissue and restore neuronal function in the so-called "penumbra region". Apart from reopening occluded vessels, additional O2 supply is essential for survival of malfunctioning neural tissue. Breathing of 100% O2 under hyperbaric conditions, hyperbaric oxygenation (HBO), is the only method to increase the O2 concentration in tissue with impaired blood supply. Experimental as well as clinical studies have reported a positive effect of HBO therapy. Survival rate has increased under HBO therapy and neurological outcome has improved. The optimal levels of pressure as well as duration and numbers of HBO sessions need to be specified to avoid undesirable effects. Unfortunately, many questions remain unanswered before routinely recommending HBO as additional therapy in clinical practice. In this review we consider the (patho-)physiological background of HBO-therapy, the latest results of experimental and clinical studies and stress the evidence in patients with cerebrovascular disease.