The Role of Heparin in Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome and Other Post-Acute Sequelae of COVID-19.

The therapeutic management and short-term consequences of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are well known. However, COVID-19 post-acute sequelae are less known and represent a public health problem worldwide. Patients with COVID-19 who present post-acute sequelae may display immune dysregulation, a procoagulant state, and persistent microvascular endotheliopathy that could trigger microvascular thrombosis. These elements have also been implicated in the physiopathology of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, a frequent sequela in post-COVID-19 patients. These mechanisms, directly associated with post-acute sequelae, might determine the thrombotic consequences of COVID-19 and the need for early anticoagulation therapy. In this context, heparin has several potential benefits, including immunomodulatory, anticoagulant, antiviral, pro-endothelial, and vascular effects, that could be helpful in the treatment of COVID-19 post-acute sequelae. In this article, we review the evidence surrounding the post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 and the potential benefits of the use of heparin, with a special focus on the treatment of postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome and other related dysautonomic disorders after SARS-CoV-2 infection and after COVID-19 messenger RNA vaccination.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a challenge for our society due to the post-acute sequelae of the disease. Persistent symptoms and long-term multiorgan complications, known as post-acute COVID-19 syndrome, can occur beyond 4 weeks from the onset of the COVID-19 infection. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is considered a variety of dysautonomia, which is characterized by chronic symptoms that occur with standing and a sustained increase in heart rate, without orthostatic hypotension. POTS can lead to debilitating symptoms, significant disability, and impaired quality of life. In this narrative review, the etiopathogenic basis, epidemiology, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and socioeconomic impact of POTS, as well as other related dysautonomic disorders, after COVID-19 infection and SARS-CoV-2 postvaccination, were discussed. After a search conducted in March 2023, a total of 89 relevant articles were selected from the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Web of Science databases. The review highlights the importance of recognizing and managing POTS after COVID-19 infection and vaccination, and the approach to autonomic disorders should be known by all specialists in different medical areas. The diagnosis of POTS requires a comprehensive clinical assessment, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, orthostatic vital signs, and autonomic function tests. The treatment of POTS after COVID-19 infection or vaccination is mainly focused on lifestyle modifications, such as increased fluid and salt intake, exercise, and graduated compression stockings. Pharmacotherapy, such as beta-blockers, fludrocortisone, midodrine, and ivabradine, may also be used in selected cases. Further research is needed to understand the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and optimal treatment strategies for this complication.

Benign symmetric lipomatosis of the tongue in Madelung's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Madelung's disease is characterized by benign, non-encapsulated accumulations of fat in a symmetrical manner. Although rare, symmetrical lipomatosis involving the tongue exclusively has been previously reported. Here another case is presented of Madelung's disease involving the tongue. CASE REPORT: A 57-year-old woman was referred with the diagnosis of Madelung's disease, with slight difficulty in swallowing, dysarthria and dyspnoea while sleeping due to tongue swelling. Clinical examination revealed multiple, large disfiguring soft masses involving neck, upper arms and hips. There was enlargement of the tongue with bilateral protrusions and buccal displacement of the teeth. The masses were soft and non-tender. Bilateral partial glossectomy was performed under general anaesthesia. Histology revealed adipose tissue, interspersed within the lingual musculature. DISCUSSION: Lipomas in Madelung's disease are characterized by multiplicity, non-encapsulation and invasiveness. Over the years, the fat deposits enlarge significantly, become cosmetically deforming, and cause dyspnoea and dysphagia in advanced cases. The aetiology of benign symmetrical lipomatosis is still unknown. It is often accompanied by liver dysfunction probably due to alcoholism. Treatment is limited to surgical removal of the fatty tissue, in patients with a severe cosmetic deformity causing psychological stress, and in patients with dyspnoea or dysphagia if there is restriction of the aerodigestive tract.

[Prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in orthopedic surgery. Role of the new anticoagulants]. / Profilaxis de la enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en cirugía ortopédica mayor. Papel de los nuevos anticoagulantes.

Patients undergoing a total hip or total knee arthroplasty are at high risk of thromboembolism in the postoperative period and after hospital discharge; consequently, clinical guidelines recommended thromboprophylaxis for 10-35 days. Although improved surgical techniques and widespread use of anticoagulants have substantially reduced the incidence of thromboembolic events, venous thromboembolic disease is still a dangerous complication and, in these patients, pulmonary embolism remains the main cause of death. Low molecular weight heparins have long been the mainstay of prevention. However, parenteral administration is inconvenient for many patients, which can sometimes cause poor treatment adherence. In recent years, a new class of oral, fixed-dose anticoagulants, with different mechanisms of action, few interactions and a predictable effect, has been developed. At present, a thrombin inhibitor (dabigatran) and two FXa inhibitors (rivaroxaban and apixaban) are available for prophylaxis in patients after total knee or total hip arthroplasty. In several phase III clinical trials, these drugs have been shown to have equal or superior efficacy and a similar degree of safety to conventional therapy with enoxaparin. These new drugs can significantly improve long-term prevention, particularly in the community setting.

[Assessment of venous thromboembolism risk in hospitalized medical patients. Concordance between PRETEMED guide and the recommendations of the viii conference of the American College of Chest Physicians]. / Riesgo de enfermedad tromboembólica venosa en pacientes hospitalizados no quirúrgicos. Grado de acuerdo entre la guía PRETEMED y las recomendaciones de la viii conferencia del American College of Chest Physicians.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in hospitalized medical patients using 2 clinical practice guidelines and to analyze the agreement between them. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Cross-sectional study of medical services in a third level hospital. We calculated the thromboembolic risk and the thromboprophylaxis adequacy by implementing the recommendations of viii conference of the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and PRETEMED guide as well as their agreement. RESULTS: One hundred and twenty eight patients were included in the study. According to the PRETEMED guide, 34.4% of patients were low risk, 6.3% moderate and 59.4% high, with appropriate prophylaxis in 72.7% of patients (CI95%: 64.4-79.9), 18.8% (CI95%: 12.7-26.2) were undertreated and 8.6% (CI95%: 4.6-14.4) overtreated. According to ACCP recommendations, 50% of patients were low risk and 50% high, with appropriate prophylaxis in 74.2% of patients (CI95%: 66.1-81.2), 10.9% (CI95%: 6.4-17.3) were undertreated and 14.8% (CI95%: 9.4-21.8) overtreated. When PRETEMED risk was classified into low or moderate-high group versus ACCP risk low or high, the grade of concordance between both guides was 0.68 (CI95%: 0.56-0.81). When PRETEMED risk was classified into low-moderate or high group versus ACCP risk low or high, the grade of concordance between both guides was 0.81 (CI95%: 0.71-0.91). CONCLUSIONS: About a quarter of hospitalized medical patients did not receive adequate prophylaxis, showing an important room for improvement. PRETEMED guide and ACCP recommendations differ in risk assessment mainly because PRETEMED guide overestimates the risk of venous thromboembolism since it includes more risk factors.

Why not use the HbA1c as a criterion of dysglycemia in the new definition of the metabolic syndrome? Impact of the new criteria in the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in a Mediterranean urban population from Southern Europe (IMAP study. Multidisciplinary intervention in primary care).

We analysed the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MS) of the new diagnostic criteria and the HbA1c to diagnose dysglycemia. We studied 2006 adults without cardiovascular disease or diabetes. The use of the new criteria and the HbA1c resulted in an increase in the population prevalence of MS.