Warfarin and Aspirin Versus Warfarin Alone in Patients With HeartMate 3 Left Ventricular Assist Device: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HeartMate 3 (HM3), a fully magnetically levitated ventricular assist device (LVAD), has been associated with reduced thromboembolic events compared to HeartMate II. However, bleeding events remained significant. Among patients undergoing HM3 implantation, the standard antithrombotic regimen comprises both warfarin and aspirin (ASA), but there is a lack of evidence on the optimum antithrombotic therapy. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing the impact of combined ASA and warfarin therapy compared to warfarin alone on the incidence of non-surgical bleeding events in patients with HM3 LVAD. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies comparing warfarin alone with warfarin combined with ASA in patients with HM3 LVAD. Binary endpoints were analyzed using computed risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). A random-effect model was applied for all endpoints. RESULTS: Five studies (one RCT and four observational) encompassing 869 patients were included, with 424 (48.8%) prescribed warfarin alone, and 662 (76.2%) being male. Compared with the combined anticoagulation regimen, warfarin alone significantly reduced non-surgical bleeding (RR 0.30; 95% CI 0.09-0.95; p = 0.04) and gastrointestinal bleeding (RR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12-0.58; p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for all-cause mortality (RR 1.02; 95% CI 0.45-2.32; p = 0.963). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that the use of warfarin alone for anticoagulation in HM3 patients is associated with a reduced risk of bleeding events when compared to the combined therapy with ASA.

The successful implementation of Stop the Bleed® in Guatemala.

OBJECTIVE: This project aimed to successfully implement the Stop the Bleed® (STB) program in Guatemala by targeting key providers in various communities across the country. SETTING: The course was conducted in rural community centers, fire stations, tertiary care centers, and medical school facilities. PARTICIPANTS: We included agricultural occupational health workers, firefighters, medical providers, and medical students throughout the course. RESULTS: We successfully trained 247 people in Guatemala in STB and certified 13 instructors and four associate instructors. Through pre- and postcourse surveying, we determined that the course improved the participants' comfort level in managing bleeding emergencies. CONCLUSIONS: Creating partnerships with key providers at different community levels leads to the successful implementation of public health initiatives. Further research should be geared at determining the course's dissemination by new instructors.

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis: the forgotten differential diagnosis.

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis, a rare complication of acute cholecystitis, poses diagnostic challenges due to its varied clinical presentation and relative infrequency. This case involves a 59-year-old male with untreated diabetes and obesity, who presented with nonspecific abdominal pain. Initial results were inconclusive, leading to a delayed diagnosis. The patient presented again with worsening symptoms, now including melena, prompting a repeat contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan that revealed a collapsed gallbladder and signs of intra-abdominal bleeding. Urgent exploratory laparoscopy exposed a gangrenous, perforated gallbladder with active bleeding. He required intensive care postoperatively and recovered without complications. Teaching points include the importance of considering hemorrhagic cholecystitis as a possible diagnosis in patients presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding. The case emphasizes the role of imaging, particularly contrast-enhanced CT scans, in diagnosis. Surgical intervention remains the gold standard, highlighting the significance of timely management.

La colecistitis hemorrágica, una complicación rara de la colecistitis aguda, plantea desafíos diagnósticos debido a su presentación clínica variada y a su relativa infrecuencia. Este reporte presenta el caso de un hombre de 59 años con diabetes no tratada y obesidad, que consultó por dolor abdominal inespecífico por guardia externa. Los resultados iniciales fueron inconclusos, lo que provocó un retraso en el diagnóstico. El paciente consultó nuevamente con síntomas agravados, que incluían melena. Esto llevó a la realización de una nueva tomografía computada (TC) con contraste, que reveló una vesícula biliar colapsada y signos de hemorragia intraabdominal. Una laparoscopia exploradora de urgencia reveló una vesícula biliar gangrenosa y perforada con sangrado activo. Cursó postoperatorio en unidad de cuidados intensivos y se recuperó sin complicaciones. Los puntos de aprendizaje incluyen la importancia de considerar la colecistitis hemorrágica como un posible diagnóstico en pacientes que se presentan con hemorragia digestiva alta. El caso enfatiza el papel de las imágenes, especialmente las TC con contraste, en el diagnóstico. La intervención quirúrgica sigue siendo el gold standard, destacando la importancia del tratamiento temprano.

Percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of an actively bleeding renal angiomyolipoma.

We report a case of computed tomography-guided percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of a bleeding renal angiomyolipoma. Radiofrequency ablation was performed as an alternative to partial nephrectomy and super-selective renal artery embolization for ruptured renal angiomyolipoma with slow persistent bleeding in a patient with elevated serum creatinine levels and other comorbidities. Computed tomography-guided radiofrequency ablation successfully stopped the active hemorrhage and did not affect long-term renal function during the 3-year follow period. No complications were associated with the procedure. Radiofrequency ablation of a bleeding renal angiomyolipoma may be considered a more invasive surrogate procedure in an urgent setting; however, further studies are necessary to evaluate the long-term benefits of this approach and its overall impact on renal function compared to traditional methods.

DOACs versus aspirin for secondary prevention of stroke after ESUS: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

BACKGROUND: Embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) is a nonlacunar ischemic stroke with no clear cause, having a 4%-5% annual recurrence rate. The potential benefits of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) relative to aspirin in patients with ESUS remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of the DOACs in secondary prevention for patients with ESUS compared with aspirin. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrias.gov were searched for RCTs comparing DOACs versus aspirin for secondary stroke prevention after ESUS. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review (PRISMA) and Cochrane guidelines. Statistical analysis was performed using R software 4.3.2. A random-effects model was employed to measure mean differences and hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: We included 4 RCTs comprising 13,970 patients. The median age was 67 years (IQR 65.5-68.2), 61% were male, 76% had hypertension, and 51% had diabetes. DOACs were administered to 50% of the participants. No significant difference was found between groups for stroke recurrence [RR 0.95 (95% CI 0.8-1.11) p=0.52; I2=0%]. Death from any cause [HR 1.11 (95% CI 0.87-1.42) p=0.38; I2=0%], cardiovascular death [HR 1.08 (95% CI 0.61-1.94) p=0.77; I2=18%] and myocardial infarction [HR 0.92 (95% CI 0.54-1.54) p=0.76; I2=16%] were also similar between groups. However, there was a significant increase in clinically relevant non-major bleeding for patients treated with DOACs [HR 1.53 (95% CI 1.22-1.92) p<0.001; I2=9%]. CONCLUSION: In patients with ESUS, DOACs were not superior to aspirin for the secondary prevention of stroke. However, there was a significant increase in clinically relevant non-major bleeding among patients treated with DOACs. These findings suggest that aspirin remains a viable option for secondary prevention in ESUS patients.

Fixed-Dose Antiplatelet Dual Combination in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease in Turkish Population: DAPT-TR. / Terapia Antiplaquetária Dupla Combinada em Pacientes com Doença Arterial Coronariana em uma População na Turquia: DAPT-TR.

BACKGROUND: Dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) is the treatment of choice for patients with acute and chronic coronary syndromes as it reduces mortality and prevents recurrent thrombotic complications. The assessment of both ischaemic burden and bleeding risk is crucial in deciding which DAPT to choose and how long it should be continued. OBJECTIVES: The aim of our study was to perform prospective clinical follow-up of patients receiving fixed-dose combination therapy (ASA 75 mg + clopidogrel 75 mg). Our study is a multicentric, cross-sectional, observational, cohort study. METHODS: A total of 1500 patients who were started on fixed-dose combination DAPT for acute or chronic coronary syndrome were included in the study. Primary endpoints were hospitalization for any reason, hospitalization for cardiovascular cause, acute myocardial infarction, stent thrombosis, target vessel revascularization and bleeding; the secondary endpoints were death for any reason or cardiovascular cause and stroke. The significance level adopted in the statistical analysis was 5%. RESULTS: Median age was 63 years; 78.5% of the patients were receiving DAPT treatment for acute coronary syndrome. The rates of hospitalization for cardiovascular reasons, acute myocardial infartion, stent thrombosis and target-vessel revascularization were 7.9%, 2.3%, 1.3% and 4.2%, respectively. While the rate of BARC type 1 bleeding was 3.3%, the rate of BARC type 5, 3, or 2 bleeding was 0.6%. The secondary endpoints which were death from any cause, cardiovascular death and stroke were 0.5%, 0.3% and 0.3%, respectively. Conclusion: Our study shows that fixed-dose combination therapy is effective and safe in appropriately selected patients with acute or chronic coronary syndromes.

Ventilation with hyperoxia promotes cochlear bleeding in rabbits with congenital diaphragmatic hernia.

OBJECTIVE: The authors hypothesized that ventilation and hyperoxia may harm the cochlea vasculature in an experimental model of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia (CDH) performed in rabbits. METHODS: New Zealand rabbits underwent CDH creation at 25 days of gestation (term = 30 days). CDH was created in fetuses (n = 15) and compared with Controls (n = 15). Six groups were studied: Control, Control Ventilated 21% FiO2 (Control 21%), Control Ventilated 100% FiO2 (Control 100%), CDH, CDH Ventilated 21% FiO2 (CDH 21%) and CDH Ventilated 100% FiO2 (CDH 100%). Dynamic Compliance (CRS), dynamic Elastance (ERS), and dynamic Resistance (RRS) were measured. The cochleae were then removed, and the apical, middle, and basal slopes of the cochleae were evaluated. Samples were graded using a scoring system for the severity of bleeding: 0 (absent), 1 (mild), 2 (moderate), and 3 (severe). Statistical analysis was performed by contingence and ANOVA. RESULTS: There was no difference in the severity of cochlear bleeding between Controls and CDH without ventilation. Control 21% and 100% had average scores of 2 and 1.2 respectively; CDH 21% and 100% had average scores of 0.4 and 3.8 respectively; RR [CDH 100% / Control 100%] (95% CI) = 3.16 (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: The severity of bleeding was 3.16 times worse with 100% oxygenation in CDH. This information may be helpful for future therapeutic strategies for decreasing SNHL in CDH patients.

Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarina ou Apixaban em pacientes diabéticos com fibrilação atrial não valvular: uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise / Rivaroxaban Versus Warfarin or Apixaban in diabetic patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

INTRODUÇÃO: Pacientes com fibrilação atrial não valvular (FANV) e diabetes mellitus (DM) têm até 70% mais risco de AVC do que pacientes com FANV e sem diabetes. Além disso, estudos ainda discutem se rivaroxaban e apixaban são alternativas ao tratamento tradicional com warfarina em pacientes com DM e FANV. Esta meta-análise, portanto, compara a eficácia e segurança de rivaroxaban versus warfarina ou apixaban na redução de AVC e de sangramentos maiores nesse subgrupo. MÉTODOS: Bases de dados Cochrane, PubMed, Scopus e Web of Science foram pesquisadas por estudos clínicos randomizado e de coorte que comparam rivaroxaban com warfarina ou com apixaban em pacientes com DM e FANV. Usamos um modelo de efeitos aleatórios para calcular hazard ratio (HR) e risk ratio (RR), com 95% de intervalo de confiança (CI), e a heterogeneidade foi analisada com o teste I². Aestatística foi realizada pelo software RStudio versão 4.4.1. RESULTADOS: Nos 13 estudos selecionados de pacientes com DM e FANV, um total de 538.213 pacientes foram incluídos: 238.798 receberam rivaroxaban, 212.839, warfarina e 86.576, apixaban. Rivaroxaban apresentou desfecho favorável para redução de AVC (HR 0.8413; 95% CI 0.7703-0.9187; P < 0.001; I² = 68%), AVC hemorrágico (HR 0.5619; 95% CI 0.4584-0.6888; P< 0.001; I² = 0%), hemorragia intracraniana (HR 0.6440; 95% CI 0.5442-0.7621; P< 0.001; I² = 0%), mas não para gastrointestinal (HR 1.1396; 95% CI 1.0290-1.2621; P = 0.012; I² = 0%) quando comparado a warfarina. Apixaban apresentou desfechos favoráveis em redução de AVC (HR 0.88; 95% CI 0.8025-0.9651; P = 0.007; I² = 0%) e de sangramentos maiores (HR 0.5916; 95% CI 0.5383-0.6501; P< 0.001; I² = 59%), comparado a rivaroxaban. CONCLUSÃO: Essa meta-análise sugere que o uso de rivaroxaban é mais eficaz e seguro quanto ao risco de AVC e hemorragias intracranianas comparado à warfarina, mas aumenta o risco de sangramento gastrointestinal nesses pacientes. Apixaban, por sua vez, mostrou ser mais eficaz que o rivaroxaban na redução de AVC e sangramentos maiores. Essas evidências, pois, orientam o manejo de anticoagulantes em pacientes com DM e FANV.

Hemorrhagic erucism due to Lonomia spp. in Peru - A call for action.

Envenomation due to exposure to caterpillars is an emerging public health problem. A life-threatening bleeding diathesis has been described in South America after exposure to Lonomia obliqua or L. acheolus. Deforestation, forest degradation, and global warming might increase the frequency of human exposure to these insects. Prompt recognition and administration of antivenom are crucial to ensure a favorable outcome.

Validation of the HAS-BLED scale for the assessment of bleeding risk in patients on anticoagulation therapy with a diagnosis of venous thromboembolic disease.

Background: Several models have been developed to assess bleeding risk in patients with venous thromboembolism, such as HAS-BLED, but their external validity has not been adequately assessed. Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the discriminative ability and calibration of the HAS-BLED scale for predicting 1-month bleeding risk in patient's anticoagulated for venous thromboembolism. Materials and Methods: External validation study of a prediction model based on a retrospective cohort of patients with venous thromboembolism treated between November 2019 and January 2022. Calibration of the HAS-BLED scale was evaluated using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and the ratio of observed to expect events within each risk category. Discriminatory ability was assessed using the area under the curve (AUC) of a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: We included 735 patients (median age 64 years, female sex 55.2%), pulmonary embolism was diagnosed in most patients (60.7%), and 4.9% presented bleeding events. Regarding calibration, the HAS-BLED scale systematically underestimates the risk both in the general population (ROE 3.76, p < 0.001) and in cancer patients (ROE 4.16). The Hosmer-Lemeshow test rejected the hypothesis of adequate calibration (p < 0.001). Discriminatory ability was limited both in the general population (AUC = 0.57, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.48-0.66) and in the subgroup with active cancer (AUC = 0.53, 95% CI: 0.36-0.69). Conclusion: The HAS-BLED scale in patients with venous thromboembolism underestimates the risk of bleeding at 1 month and has a low ability to discriminate high-risk patients. Cautious interpretation of the scale is recommended until additional evidence is available.

Comparando a segurança da oclusão do apêndice atrial esquerdo, ablação por cateter e procedimentos combinados para a abordagem da fibrilação atrial: uma metanálise em rede / Comparing the safety of left atrial appendage occlusion, catheter ablation, and combined procedures for the management of atrial fibrillation: a network meta-analysis

INTRODUÇÃO: O fechamento percutâneo transcateter do apêndice atrial esquerdo surgiu recentemente como uma alternativa segura e eficaz à terapia anticoagulante de longo prazo na prevenção de AVC e na redução dos riscos de sangramento em pacientes com FA não valvular. No entanto, o papel da combinação do fechamento percutâneo transcateter do apêndice atrial esquerdo e ablação por cateter em um único procedimento ainda não está claro. OBJETIVOS: Neste estudo, os autores buscaram comparar a segurança do fechamento percutâneo transcateter do apêndice atrial esquerdo, ablação por cateter e o procedimento combinando-os em pacientes com fibrilação atrial. MÉTODOS: As bases de dados MEDLINE, EMBASE e a Cochrane Central foram revisadas sistematicamente em busca de estudos que relatassem o desfecho de complicações periprocedimentos na ablação por cateter e oclusão do apêndice atrial esquerdo em uma abordagem "one-stop". O procedimento combinado dessas abordagens, o fechamento percutâneo transcateter do apêndice atrial esquerdo e a ablação por cateter isoladamente foram analisados. Foi realizada uma metaanálise em rede bayesiana para estimar os efeitos relativos entre tratamentos utilizando razão de risco (RR) e para classificar cada um de acordo com a "Surface Under the Cumulative Ranking Curve" (SUCRA). RESULTADOS: Identificamos 11 ensaios relevantes representando 3343 participantes. A avaliação dos valores SUCRA indicou que apenas o LAAC (0,84) emergiu como o tratamento mais eficaz para a redução das complicações periprocedimento, seguido por apenas ablação (0,60) e abordagem combinada (0,05). O risco de complicações periprocedimento foi maior para o grupo apenas ablação (RR 0,73; intervalo credível [CrI] 0,45, 1,1) e menor para o grupo LAAC (RR 0,62; CrI 0,35, 1,0) quando comparados ao grupo combinado. Na comparação indireta entre os grupos LAAC apenas e ablação apenas, não houve significância estatística (Odds Ratio [OR] 1,1; CrI 0,27, 4,4; p=0,60). CONCLUSÃO: Nesta metanálise de rede, a abordagem combinada do fechamento percutâneo transcateter do apêndice atrial esquerdo e da ablação por cateter foi associada a um aumento de complicações periprocedimentos quando comparado aos procedimentos isoladamente. Portanto, deve-se avaliar cuidadosamente os benefícios e riscos de realizar esses procedimentos em conjunto, levando em consideração a segurança do paciente.

An alternative method for comparing hemorrhagic activity of snake venoms following one of the 3R's principles.

Venom-induced hemorrhage analysis usually is performed by Minimum Hemorrhagic Dose (MHD), however a similar method can be used to compare venoms with fewer laboratory animals. Our work compared the MHD of five different venoms, with the size of hemorrhagic spot, finding good correlations in the results. Considering the 3Rs principle, we propose the use of the hemorrhagic spot method to compare hemorrhagic activity of snake venoms, rather than using the MHD method, since the first one needs 5 times less animals than the other.

Implementing a pharmacogenomic-driven algorithm to guide antiplatelet therapy among Caribbean Hispanics: a non-randomised clinical trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess whether genotype-guided selection of oral antiplatelet drugs using a clinical decision support (CDS) algorithm reduces the rate of major adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events (MACCEs) among Caribbean Hispanic patients, after 6 months. DESIGN: An open-label, multicentre, non-randomised clinical trial. SETTING: Eight secondary and tertiary care hospitals (public and private) in Puerto Rico. PARTICIPANTS: 300 Caribbean Hispanic patients on clopidogrel, both genders, underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndromes, stable ischaemic heart disease and documented extracardiac vascular diseases. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were separated into standard-of-care (SoC) and genotype-guided (pharmacogenetic (PGx)-CDS) groups (150 each) and stratified by risk scores. Risk scores were calculated based on a previously developed CDS risk prediction algorithm designed to make actionable treatment recommendations for each patient. Individual platelet function, genotypes, clinical and demographic data were included. Ticagrelor was recommended for patients with a high-risk score ≥2 in the PGx-CDS group only, the rest were kept or de-escalated to clopidogrel. The intervention took place within 3-5 days after PCI. Adherence medication score was also measured. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES: The occurrence rate of MACCEs (primary) and bleeding episodes (secondary). Statistical associations between patient time free of events and predictor variables (ie, treatment groups, risk scores) were tested using Kaplan-Meier survival analyses and Cox proportional-hazards regression models. RESULTS: The genotype-guided group had a clinically lower but not significantly different risk of MACCEs compared with the SoC group (8.7% vs 10.7%, p=0.56; HR=0.56). Among high-risk score patients, genotype-driven guidance of antiplatelet therapy showed superiority over SoC in reducing MACCE incidence 6 months postcoronary stenting (adjusted HR=0.104; p< 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The potential benefit of implementing our PGx-CDS algorithm to significantly reduce the incidence rate of MACCEs in post-PCI Caribbean Hispanic patients on clopidogrel was observed exclusively among high-risk patients, with apparently no evident effect in other patient groups. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03419325.

How Protein Depletion Balances Thrombosis and Bleeding Risk in the Context of Platelet's Activatory and Negative Signaling.

Platelets are small cell fragments that play a crucial role in hemostasis, requiring fast response times and fine signaling pathway regulation. For this regulation, platelets require a balance between two pathway types: the activatory and negative signaling pathways. Activatory signaling mediators are positive responses that enhance stimuli initiated by a receptor in the platelet membrane. Negative signaling regulates and controls the responses downstream of the same receptors to roll back or even avoid spontaneous thrombotic events. Several blood-related pathologies can be observed when these processes are unregulated, such as massive bleeding in activatory signaling inhibition or thrombotic events for negative signaling inhibition. The study of each protein and metabolite in isolation does not help to understand the role of the protein or how it can be contrasted; however, understanding the balance between active and negative signaling could help develop effective therapies to prevent thrombotic events and bleeding disorders.

Fondaparinux versus Enoxaparin in the Treatment of Obese Patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome. / Fondaparinux versus Enoxaparina no Tratamento de Pacientes Obesos com Síndrome Coronariana Aguda.

BACKGROUND: Fondaparinux is an effective and safe anticoagulant in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS). However, due to the low representation of obese individuals in clinical trials, the effects of applying the results of this drug to this population remain uncertain. OBJECTIVES: To compare Fondaparinux to Enoxaparin in the treatment of obese patients with ACS. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study, including obese individuals (BMI ≥ 30 Kg/m2) admitted with non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) or unstable angina (UA) and treated with Fondaparinux or Enoxaparin between 2010 and 2020. The Fondaparinux and Enoxaparin groups were compared for their clinical and laboratory characteristics using chi-square and Mann-Whitney tests, as appropriate. The incidence of primary outcomes (death, reinfarction, stroke, major bleeding) was compared between groups. P-value < 0.05 was considered significant for all analyses. RESULTS: A total of 367 obese patients with NSTEMI or UA were included, of whom 258 used Fondaparinux and 109 used Enoxaparin. Mean age was 64 ± 12 years, and 52.9% were male. The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, prior coronary artery disease, prior stroke, and implementation of invasive strategy was similar between groups. The incidence of the primary outcome was 4.7% in the Fondaparinux group and 5.5% in the Enoxaparin group (p = 0.729). There was no difference between groups when analyzing the components of the primary outcome separately. CONCLUSION: In a sample of obese patients with NSTEMI or UA, there was no difference in the occurrence of the composite outcome (death, stroke, reinfarction, major bleeding) between patients who used Fondaparinux or Enoxaparin.

FUNDAMENTO: O fondaparinux é um anticoagulante eficaz e seguro usado no tratamento de síndromes coronarianas agudas (SCAs). No entanto, devido à baixa representatividade de indivíduos obesos em ensaios clínicos, os efeitos de se aplicar os resultados desse medicamento nesta população continuam incertos. OBJETIVOS: Comparar o fondaparinux à enoxaparina no tratamento de obesos com SCA. MÉTODOS: Este é um estudo do tipo coorte retrospectivo, incluindo indivíduos obesos (IMC ≥ 30 Kg/m2) internados com Infarto do Miocárdio sem Elevação do Segmento ST (IAMSSST) ou Angina Instável (AI) e tratados com fondaparinux ou enoxaparina entre 2010 e 2020. Os grupos que receberam fondaparinux e enoxaparina foram comparados quanto suas características clínicas e laboratoriais usando o teste do qui-quadrado e o teste de Mann-Whitney, conforme apropriado. A incidência dos desfechos primários (morte, reinfarto, acidente vascular cerebral, sangramento maior) foi comparada entre os grupos. Um p<0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo em todas as análises. RESULTADOS: Um total de 367 pacientes obesos com IAMSSST ou AI foi incluído, dos quais 258 usaram fondaparinux e 109 usaram enoxaparina. A idade média foi 64 ± 12 anos, 52,9% eram do sexo masculino. A prevalência e diabetes, hipertensão, dislipidemia, doença arterial coronariana prévia, acidente vascular cerebral prévio, e implementação de estratégia invasiva foi similar entre os grupos. A incidência do desfecho primário foi 4,7% no grupo fondaparinux e 5,5% no grupo enoxaparina (p = 0,729). Não houve diferença entre os grupos quando os componentes do desfecho primário foram analisados separadamente. CONCLUSÃO: Em uma amostra de pacientes obesos com IAMSSST ou AI, não houve diferença na ocorrência do desfecho composto (morte, acidente vascular cerebral, reinfarto, sangramento maior) entre os pacientes que utilizaram fondaparinux ou enoxaparina.

Selective embolization with autologous fat to treat massive bleeding secondary to percutaneous renal biopsy.

Bleeding following a percutaneous renal biopsy is a complication that can be life-threatening. Embolization of the bleeding artery is a procedure that can limit the damage; however, embolization devices can be costly or not immediately available. This is why we present the case of a 25-year-old man with a history of multiple thromboses who underwent a renal biopsy due to suspected systemic lupus erythematosus. Five days after the procedure, he developed hypovolemic shock. A CT scan was performed due to suspected hemorrhage and showed active bleeding at the renal biopsy site. Since embolization devices were not immediately available, selective embolization of the bleeding artery was successfully performed using autologous fat. It is known that embolization with coils is the most frequently used interventional procedure to stop bleeding secondary to renal biopsies. However, embolization with autologous fat is a proven technique to stop bleeding in coronary perforations. In this case, we adapted this technique to treat an actively bleeding renal artery secondary to a renal biopsy. Based on this case, we consider that this technique may be an alternative when coil embolization is not available.

Predictors of bleeding and thrombotic events among patients admitted to the hospital with COVID-19 and elevated D-dimer: insights from the action randomized clinical trial

Therapeutic anticoagulation showed inconsistent results in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and selection of the best patients to use this strategy still a challenge balancing the risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic outcomes. The present post-hoc analysis of the ACTION trial evaluated the variables independently associated with both bleeding events (major bleeding or clinically relevant non-major bleeding) and the composite outcomes thrombotic events (venous thromboembolism, myocardial infarction, stroke, systemic embolism, or major adverse limb events). Variables were assessed one by one with independent logistic regressions and final models were chosen based on Akaike information criteria. The model for bleeding events showed an area under the curve of 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.53 to 0.73), while the model for thrombotic events had an area under the curve of 0.72 (95% CI 0.65 to 0.79). Non-invasive respiratory support was associated with thrombotic but not bleeding events, while invasive ventilation was associated with both outcomes (Odds Ratio of 7.03 [95 CI% 1.95 to 25.18] for thrombotic and 3.14 [95% CI 1.11 to 8.84] for bleeding events). Beyond respiratory support, creatinine level (Odds Ratio [OR] 1.01 95% CI 1.00 to 1.02 for every 1.0 mg/dL) and history of coronary disease (OR 3.67; 95% CI 1.32 to 10.29) were also independently associated to the risk of thrombotic events. Non-invasive respiratory support, history of coronary disease, and creatinine level may help to identify hospitalized COVID-19 patients at higher risk of thrombotic complications.ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04394377.

Stopping the bleed when tourniquets cannot: a technique for Foley catheter balloon compression in trauma.

INTRODUCTION: Hemorrhage is a leading cause of death in trauma. Prehospital hemorrhage control techniques include tourniquet application for extremity wounds and direct compression; however, tourniquets are not effective in anatomic junctions, and direct compression is highly operator dependent. Balloon catheter compression has been employed previously in trauma care, but its use has been confined to the operating room and restricted to specific anatomic injuries. METHODS: In a single-center retrospective review, we describe a technique for balloon catheter compression for hemorrhage control that can be employed across the continuum of trauma care, from the prehospital setting to the trauma bay, the operating room, and postoperative period. RESULTS: Of 18,303 trauma patients in Venezuela, 45% of the 1757 patients with vascular injuries received Foley catheter compression for hemorrhage control. Of these catheters, the majority (75%) were placed in the emergency department, 5% in the prehospital setting, and 20% in the operating room. Over half (53.2%) of the balloon catheters were placed for hemorrhage control in non-compressible anatomic junctions. CONCLUSIONS: Foley catheter balloon compression is a useful addition to a provider's arsenal of hemorrhage control techniques, as it is effective in anatomic junctions, preserves collateral circulation through focused compression, and requires minimal active physical attention to maintain hemostasis.

Antithrombotic Strategies in Atrial Fibrillation After ACS and/or PCI: A 4-Way Comparison From AUGUSTUS.

BACKGROUND: The optimal antithrombotic regimen for patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is not known. OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to determine which antithrombotic regimen best balances safety and efficacy. METHODS: AUGUSTUS, a multicenter 2 × 2 factorial design randomized trial compared apixaban with vitamin K antagonist (VKA) and aspirin with placebo in patients with AF with recent ACS and/or PCI treated with a P2Y12 inhibitor. We conducted a 4-way analysis comparing safety and efficacy outcomes in the 4 randomized groups. The primary outcome was a composite of all-cause death, major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding, or hospitalization for cardiovascular causes over 6-month follow-up. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary endpoint. RESULTS: A total of 4,614 patients were enrolled. All patients were treated with a P2Y12 inhibitor. The primary endpoint occurred in 21.9% of patients randomized to apixaban plus placebo, 27.3% randomized to apixaban plus aspirin, 28.0% randomized to VKA plus placebo, and 33.3% randomized to VKA plus aspirin. Rates of major or clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding and hospitalization for cardiovascular causes were lower with apixaban and placebo compared with the other 3 antithrombotic strategies. There was no difference between the 4 randomized groups with respect to all-cause death. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with AF and a recent ACS and/or PCI, an antithrombotic regimen that included a P2Y12 inhibitor and apixaban without aspirin resulted in a lower incidence of the composite of death, bleeding, or cardiovascular hospitalization than regimens including VKA, aspirin, or both. (An Open-label, 2 x 2 Factorial, Randomized Controlled, Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Safety of Apixaban vs. Vitamin K Antagonist and Aspirin vs. Aspirin Placebo in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Acute Coronary Syndrome or Percutaneous Coronary Intervention; NCT02415400).

Evaluation of variants in the ENTPD1 and ENTPD2 genes in athletic horses with exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage.

BACKGROUND: Exercise-induced pulmonary haemorrhage (EIPH) in athletic horses is characterized by the presence of blood from the lungs in the tracheobronchial tree after intense exercise. Despite the high prevalence of EIPH in horses, the primary aetiology remains unknown. Variants in the genes encoding CD39 and CD39L1 (ENTPD1 and ENTPD2, respectively) were previously reported as potential genetic causes involved in EIPH pathogenesis. However, the role of these variants in haemostatic functions is unknown. RESULTS: To investigate the association between EIPH and missense variants in the ENTPD1 (rs1152296272, rs68621348, and rs68621347) and ENTPD2 genes (rs782872967), 76 Thoroughbred horses diagnosed with EIPH and 56 without clinical signs of EIPH (control group) by trachea-bronchial endoscopy were genotyped. The rs1152296272 and rs68621347 variants were linked, which explained why the same results were found in all horses. Approximately 96% and 95% of the EIPH and control horses, respectively, carried at least one nonreference allele for these variants. In contrast, 100% of the control horses and 96% of the EIPH horses were homozygous for the reference allele for the rs68621348 variant. In the EIPH group, 1.5% of the horses were homozygotes and 24% were heterozygous for the nonreference allele of the rs782872967 variant. In the control group, the nonreference allele of this variant was observed only in heterozygotes (16%). There were no significant differences between groups for any of the variants. CONCLUSIONS: The variants previously described in the genes encoding the CD39 and CD39L1 enzymes were highly present in the studied population. However, no association was found between the occurrence of EIPH and the presence of these variants in Thoroughbred horses in this study.