Incidence of thromboembolic events following administration of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC) for oral anticoagulation reversal.

INTRODUCTION: Prothrombin complex concentrates (4F-PCC) for anticoagulation reversal pose a risk of thromboembolism although data are limited. This study aims to quantify thromboembolic events (TE) and describe associations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective, two-center, study of patients receiving 4F-PCC between September 2013 and December 2017 for warfarin or direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) reversal. Primary outcome was in-hospital TE incidence and secondary outcomes were to describe characteristics associated with TE. Data are reported descriptively and analyzed with bivariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS: 542 patients were included (mean age 73 ± 14 years, 58% male, 76.6% warfarin/23.4% DOAC reversal). Most had intracranial hemorrhage (68.5%) or were undergoing an emergent procedure (13.4%). Fifty patients (9.2%) experienced in-hospital TE and most (62%) occurred within 7 days of 4F-PCC. Younger age (66 vs. 74 years, p < 0.01), presence of a hypercoagulable risk factor (46% vs. 26%, p < 0.01), indication for anticoagulation (p = 0.008), higher 4F-PCC dose (2148 vs. 2000 units, p < 0.01), and longer hospital length of stay (LOS) (21.5 vs. 7 days, p < 0.01) were associated with TE following bivariate analysis. Multivariate analysis identified anticoagulation indication of venous thromboembolism or "other" (e.g., antiphospholipid syndrome, Factor V Leiden) were independently associated with higher incidence of TE compared to receiving anticoagulation for atrial arrhythmia (p = 0.05). Hospital LOS ≥ 7 days was associated with threefold greater odds of TE compared to <7 days (p = 0.003). CONCLUSIONS: In-hospital TE following 4F-PCC was 9.2%, most events occurred within 7 days, and younger age, indication for anticoagulation, and LOS were independently associated with TE which may influence treatment selection.

Key articles and guidelines for the emergency medicine clinical pharmacist: 2011-2018 update.

PURPOSE: To summarize recently published research reports and practice guidelines on emergency medicine (EM)-related pharmacotherapy. SUMMARY: Our author group was composed of 14 EM pharmacists, who used a systematic process to determine main sections and topics for the update as well as pertinent literature for inclusion. Main sections and topics were determined using a modified Delphi method, author and peer reviewer groups were formed, and articles were selected based on a comprehensive literature review and several criteria for each author-reviewer pair. These criteria included the document "Oxford Centre for Evidence-based Medicine - Levels of Evidence (March 2009)" but also clinical implications, interest to reader, and belief that a publication was a "key article" for the practicing EM pharmacist. A total of 105 articles published from January 2011 through July 2018 were objectively selected for inclusion in this review. This was not intended as a complete representation of all available pertinent literature. The reviewed publications address the management of a wide variety of disease states and topic areas that are commonly found in the emergency department: analgesia and sedation, anticoagulation, cardiovascular emergencies, emergency preparedness, endocrine emergencies, infectious diseases, neurology, pharmacy services and patient safety, respiratory care, shock, substance abuse, toxicology, and trauma. CONCLUSION: There are many important recent additions to the EM-related pharmacotherapy literature. As is evident with the surge of new studies, guidelines, and reviews in recent years, it is vital for the EM pharmacist to continue to stay current with advancing practice changes.