Thrombosis Update最新文献

Background

Management with warfarin therapy becomes challenging globally due to the increased risk of adverse clinical outcomes from its use. In Africa, warfarin-related bleeding events and thromboembolic complications range from 0.006 % to 59 % and 1.6 %–7.5 %, respectively.

Objectives

This study aimed to determine adverse clinical outcomes of warfarin therapy and predictors among adult outpatients at Wallaga University Referral and Nekemte Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals from April 1, 2021 to March 31, 2023.

Methods

An institutional-based retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from June 1 to July 31, 2023, by reviewing the patient's medical charts with warfarin indications. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were computed. Bivariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to check the association between dependent and independent variables. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95 % CI was determined and statistical significance was declared at a p-value <0.05.

Results

A total of 402 patients' medical charts with warfarin indications were reviewed. The mean age of the study participants was 38.9 ± 17.9 years and 271(67.4 %) were female patients. Bleeding events 19(4.7 %) and thromboembolic complications 32(8 %) were adverse clinical outcomes of warfarin therapy observed in this study. Warfarin therapy used for 4–6 months (AOR = 3.270; [CI: 1.043–10.252]; p-value = 0.042), hypertension comorbidity (AOR = 3.582; [CI: 1.015–12.642]; p-value = 0.047) and aspirin use (AOR = 5.043; [CI: 1.964–12.948]; p-value = 0.001) were the independent predictors of warfarin related bleeding events. Patients aged 41–64 years were 67.4 % less likely to develop warfarin-related thromboembolic complications than those patients aged 18–40 years (AOR = 0.326; [CI: 0.108–0.983]; p-value = 0.046).

Conclusions

Adverse clinical outcomes were found to be observed in less than one-fourth of the study participants in our study. Warfarin use for 4–6 months, hypertension comorbidity, and concomitant use of aspirin were identified as the independent predictors of warfarin-related bleeding events. The age range of 41–64 years was less likely predictive of warfarin-related thromboembolic complications. Institutional-based guidelines and clinical pharmacist involvement in anticoagulation management play a vital role in preventing adverse clinical outcomes.

Background

For ambulatory cancer patients receiving systemic chemotherapy, adherence is low to recommended venous thromboembolism (VTE) prevention interventions. Previously, we identified implementation strategies to address barriers to adherence, including (1) conducting clinician education and training; (2) developing and distributing educational materials for clinicians; (3) adapting electronic health records to provide interactive assistance; and (4) developing and distributing educational materials for patients. The objective of this study was to develop these implementation strategies’ form (i.e., how and when) and content (i.e., information conveyed) as a critical step for implementation and dissemination.

Methods

To design and develop the form and content of the implementation strategies, we conducted multidisciplinary stakeholder panels with oncology clinicians, pharmacists, and hematologists. Over several panel discussions, we developed a low fidelity prototype. Participants performed preliminary usability testing, simulating patient care encounters. We also conducted interviews with three patients who provided additional feedback.

Results

The form and content for each strategy, respectively, included (1) concise training with a slide deck; (2) succinct summary of evidence for the interventions and support for anticoagulation management; (3) automated VTE risk-assessment and clinical decision support, including bleeding risk assessment and anticoagulation options; and (4) patient education resources. During development, audit and feedback was identified as an additional strategy, for which we created report cards to implement.

Conclusion

With stakeholder input, we successfully developed the form and content needed to put the implementation strategies into practice. The next step is to study the effect on the uptake of ambulatory VTE prevention recommendations in oncology clinics.

Cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) is the second leading cause of death in oncologic patients and includes both venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thrombotic events (ATE). In addition, cancer patients have an increased risk of developing atrial fibrillation (AF), which represents an additional risk factor for systemic thromboembolism in these patients. Both CAT and AF may be the first presentation of the oncologic disease or develop because of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. The management of the anticoagulation in cancer patients with CAT or AF is challenging, and data on these patients are lacking in specific settings/situations. Low molecular weight heparins (LMWHs) and direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) represent the preferred treatment strategies in CAT, and DOACs in cancer patients with AF. However, the possible drug-drug interactions of DOACs and the bleeding risks in thrombocytopenic patients should be considered. The use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in cancer patients with CAT or AF is challenging because of the unpredictable therapeutic response and high bleeding risk in patients with active disease who are undergoing chemotherapy and who may experience thrombocytopenia and/or changes in renal or hepatic function and, according to the recent guidelines, it is limited to specific situations (i.e. severe renal insufficiency, AF associated with prosthetic mechanical valves and severe mitral stenosis). A careful evaluation of the antithrombotic strategy with the best efficacy/safety ratio (in terms of doses or drugs) is always needed in cancer patients and anticoagulation for CAT and AF should be tailored individually. An ongoing consultation of oncologists/hematologists with cardiologists and coagulation experts in a multidisciplinary approach, with a periodic re-assessment of the benefit/risk ratio of anticoagulation with changes in cancer status/advancement and treatment plans is needed.

Bleeding is the main complication of treatment with anticoagulants, the most common adverse drug event that leads to emergency department visits, hospital admission, and death. While direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) reduce the risk of major, fatal and intracranial bleeding compared to vitamin K antagonists, DOAC-associated bleeding is associated with substantial short-term mortality rates. To optimize management and improve outcomes, a standardized approach to managing severe bleeding includes rapid recognition, provision of treatments to reverse anticoagulation or enhance hemostasis, resumption of anticoagulation safety after bleed cessation and attention to secondary prevention measures and long-term monitoring. This narrative review outlines a pragmatic multimodal framework for severe DOAC bleed management with case examples to illustrate key principles.

Introduction

Replacement therapy with intravenous (IV) protein C concentrate (Ceprotin®; Baxalta US Inc., a Takeda company, Lexington, MA, USA; Takeda Manufacturing Austria AG, Vienna, Austria) is an approved treatment approach for patients with severe congenital protein C deficiency (SCPCD). Data on the real-world use of protein C concentrate are limited.

Materials and methods

In this non-interventional real-world study, physicians in Europe and the United States (US) with experience using protein C concentrate to treat patients with SCPCD completed an internet-based survey. Information collected included physician clinical practice details, experience treating patients with SCPCD, and opinions on the subcutaneous (SC) administration of protein C concentrate. Physicians responded based on their best recall.

Results

The analysis included 19 physicians (Europe, n = 12; US, n = 7) who had used protein C concentrate to treat 32 patients with SCPCD. Sixteen patients received IV long-term prophylaxis (LTP; treatment duration ≥3 months) and 12 received SC LTP. Five patients received both IV and SC LTP. Eighteen physicians indicated an interest in adding SC administration to the approved administration routes.

Conclusion

This survey shows that LTP with IV protein C concentrate is used in clinical practice by physicians in both Europe and the US for the treatment of patients with SCPCD. Protein C concentrate is also prescribed for SC administration by some physicians in Europe. Although only approved for IV administration, physicians in both Europe and the US indicated an interest in SC administration being an approved administration route for protein C concentrate.

Introduction

For patients with mechanical aortic valves, guideline recommended INR targets range from 2.0 to 3.5, depending on thromboembolic risk factors. Supporting data is largely historical and of low quality. We aimed to characterize clinicians’ practices around INR targets for these patients and perceptions of evidence supporting these recommendations.

Methods

A 33-question web-based survey was sent to 75 cardiologists, cardiac surgeons, and thrombosis specialists globally. We inquired about anticoagulation practices for patients with mechanical aortic valves, perceptions of guideline recommendations, and interest in participating in a randomized controlled trial comparing lower and higher INR targets in these patients.

Results

Of 55 respondents (73% response rate), 78% worked in academic hospitals. In patients with mechanical aortic valve and no additional thromboembolic risk factors, 80% targeted an INR of 2.5. Among patients with additional thromboembolic risk factors, 48% targeted an INR of 2.5, while 44% targeted an INR of 3.0. Additionally, 57% of respondents believed that evidence for the guidelines was up to date, and 53% believed that it applied to bi-leaflet valves.

However, 57% of respondents said that the evidence was not high quality. Lastly, 66% of respondents would accept a higher thromboembolic risk to reduce risk of major bleeding; 86% were willing to randomize patients with mechanical aortic valve to a target INR of 2.0 if they had no thromboembolic risk factors.

Conclusion

Clinicians target different INRs for patients with mechanical aortic valves; their perception of the evidence and guidelines varies. Of respondents, 86% would randomize patients to lower INR targets.

The severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) triggers various coagulation cascades, culminating in the manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The efficacy of anticoagulant prophylaxis in averting VTE occurrence in severe COVID-19 cases in Thailand remains uncertain. We aimed to determine the prevalence of symptomatic VTE in patients with severe COVID-19 who received a standard dose of anticoagulants and to evaluate the risk factors. Our prospective cohort study included patients with severe COVID-19 who received anticoagulant prophylaxis. VTE, bleeding events and mortality were monitored until 60 days after VTE prophylaxis initiation. Of the 250 study patients, pulmonary embolism was observed in 7.2% of patients. In a multivariate Cox regression model, endotracheal intubation [hazard ratio (HR) = 13.75; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.87–65.82; p = 0.001] and high D-dimer levels [HR = 1.052; 95% CI = 1.023–1.081; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher VTE risk within 60 days of VTE prophylaxis. Bleeding and major hemorrhage occurred in 35 (14%) and eight (3.2%) patients, respectively. These findings indicated that a standard dose of anticoagulant may not be sufficient for preventing thrombosis in patients who require intensive care. Further research on the appropriate dose is necessary.