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Cureus Sep 2023The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with prolonged prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and increased D-dimer levels.... (Review)
Review
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with prolonged prothrombin time (PT), active partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and increased D-dimer levels. Therefore, we aim to investigate if anticoagulants (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) therapy play a role in mitigating COVID-19 and its associated thrombosis along with its effect on the mortality rate, the need for mechanical ventilation, and the risk of hospital admission. Electronic databases were searched from their inception to July 19, 2022. The studies were divided into two groups: Group A (any dose of AC/AP versus no AC/AP) and Group B (therapeutic dose of AC (tAC)/AP versus prophylactic dose of AC (pAC)/AP). Review Manager (RevMan) version 5.4.1 (The Nordic Cochrane Centre, The Cochrane Collaboration, Copenhagen, Denmark) was used for all statistical analyses. Adjusted data ratios were extracted from all included studies and pooled using the random effects model. A total of 33 studies were taken for the analysis of two groups (Group A: 285,065 COVID-19-positive patients, Group B: 2,421 COVID-19-positive patients). Overall analysis in Group A showed that the AC/AP group had a low risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients compared to the control group (risk ratio (RR): 0.77, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.69-0.86). There was no significant difference in the need for mechanical ventilation (RR: 0.80, 95% CI: 0.60-1.08) and hospital admission (RR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.78-1.59) between the AC/AP and no AC/AP group. Alongside, in Group B, tAC/AP did not demonstrate a significant decrease in mortality as compared to pAC/AP (RR: 0.62, 95% CI: 0.37-1.06). Treatment with AC and AP drugs can significantly decrease the mortality rate in COVID-19-infected patients, while AC also significantly reduces the need for mechanical ventilation.
PubMed: 37872904
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.45749 -
JHEP Reports : Innovation in Hepatology Jan 2023The risk of serious clinical outcomes following cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) in individuals with chronic hepatitis B remains poorly characterized. This...
BACKGROUND & AIMS
The risk of serious clinical outcomes following cessation of nucleos(t)ide analogues (NUCs) in individuals with chronic hepatitis B remains poorly characterized. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate current literature on this issue.
METHODS
We searched PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science for NUC stop studies that noted clinical outcomes published between January 1, 2006 and August 18, 2022. We performed meta-research analyses to examine the relationships of reported outcomes with study designs and characteristics and also pooled studies with non-overlapping populations to provide risk estimates for the proportions of (1) severe hepatitis flares or hepatic decompensation or (2) hepatitis flare-related death or liver transplantation.
RESULTS
The meta-research analysis included 50 studies of highly heterogeneous designs and characteristics. We found that reporting of safety outcomes varied widely according to outcome definition, follow-up duration, and sample size. Only ten studies prespecified safety events as the study outcome, and only four had an outcome definition to include hepatic insufficiency, a follow-up duration >12 months, and a sample size >100 patients. We further pooled 15 studies with 4,525 individuals and estimated that severe hepatitis flares or decompensation would occur in 1.21% (95% CI 0.70-2.08%), with significant heterogeneity ( = 54%, <0.01), while hepatitis flare-related death or liver transplantation would occur in 0.37% (95% CI 0.20-0.67%), without significant heterogeneity ( = 0.00%, = 1.00).
CONCLUSIONS
Current literature on the risk of serious clinical outcomes following NUC cessation is very limited and highly heterogeneous. Pooled analyses of available data found approximately 1% of patients who stopped NUCs developed severe flares or hepatic decompensation.
IMPACT AND IMPLICATIONS
Current literature regarding the safety concerns surrounding NUC cessation for individuals with chronic hepatitis B is limited and heterogeneous in designs and characteristics, and thus should be interpreted with great caution. Based on currently available data, the proportion of patients that develop severe hepatitis flares or hepatic decompensation was estimated at 1.21% and that of flare-related death or liver transplantation at 0.37%. Our findings are important for individuals receiving nucleos(t)ide analogues for hepatitis B virus infection because we not only pooled currently available data to estimate the risk of serious clinical adverse events following treatment cessation but also uncovered critical limitations of existing literature regarding the safety of finite therapy.
PubMed: 36466989
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhepr.2022.100617 -
Frontiers in Public Health 2020Clinical characteristics are essential for the correct diagnosis of diseases. The current review aimed to summarize the global clinical characteristics of the COVID-19...
Clinical characteristics are essential for the correct diagnosis of diseases. The current review aimed to summarize the global clinical characteristics of the COVID-19 patients systematically and identify their diagnostic challenges to help the medical practitioners properly diagnose and for better management of COVID-19 patients. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases for original articles containing clinical information of COVID-19 published up to 7th May 2020. Two researchers independently searched the databases to extract eligible articles. A total of 34 studies from 8 different countries with 10889 case-patients were included for clinical characteristics. The most common clinical symptoms were cough 59.6, fever 46.9, fatigue 27.8, and dyspnea 20.23%. The prominent laboratory findings were lymphocytopenia 55.9, elevated levels of CRP 61.9, aspartate aminotransferase 53.3, LDH 40.8, ESR 72.99, serum ferritin 63, IL-6 52, and prothrombin time 35.47%, and decreased levels of platelets 17.26, eosinophils 59.0, hemoglobin 29, and albumin 38.4%. CT scan of the chest showed an abnormality in 93.50% cases with bilateral lungs 71.1%, ground-glass opacity 48%, lesion in lungs 78.3%, and enlargement of lymph node 50.7%. Common comorbidities were hypertension, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. The estimated median incubation period was 5.36 days, and the overall case fatality rate was 16.9% (Global case fatality outside China was 22.24%: USA 21.24%, Italy 25.61%, and others 0%; whereas the case fatality inside the Hubei Province of China was found to be 11.71%). Global features on the clinical characteristics of COVID-19 obtained from laboratory tests and CT scan results will provide useful information to the physicians to diagnose the disease and for better management of the patients as well as to address the diagnostic challenges to control the infection.
Topics: COVID-19; Comorbidity; Cough; Dyspnea; Fatigue; Fever; Global Health; Humans; Lymphopenia; SARS-CoV-2; Tomography, X-Ray Computed
PubMed: 33505949
DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2020.567395 -
Indian Journal of Gastroenterology :... Jun 2020Many case series on Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) have reported gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic manifestations in a proportion of cases; however, the data is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Many case series on Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) have reported gastrointestinal (GI) and hepatic manifestations in a proportion of cases; however, the data is conflicting. The relationship of GI and hepatic involvement with severe clinical course of COVID-19 has also not been explored.
OBJECTIVES
The main objectives were to determine the frequency of GI and hepatic manifestations of COVID-19 and to explore their relationship with severe clinical course.
METHODS
We searched PubMed for studies published between January 1, 2020, and March 25, 2020, with data on GI and hepatic manifestations in adult patients with COVID-19. These data were compared between patients with severe and good clinical course using the random-effects model and odds ratio (OR) as the effect size. If the heterogeneity among studies was high, sensitivity analysis was performed for each outcome.
RESULTS
We included 62 studies (8301 patients) in the systematic review and 26 studies (4676 patients) in the meta-analysis. Diarrhea was the most common GI symptom (9%), followed by nausea/vomiting (5%) and abdominal pain (4%). Transaminases were abnormal in approximately 25%, bilirubin in 9%, prothrombin time (PT) in 7%, and low albumin in 60%. Up to 20% patients developed severe clinical course, and GI and hepatic factors associated with severe clinical course were as follows: diarrhea (OR 2), high aspartate aminotransferase (OR 1.4), high alanine aminotransferase (OR 1.6), high bilirubin (OR 2.4), low albumin (OR 3.4), and high PT (OR 3).
CONCLUSIONS
GI and hepatic involvement should be sought in patients with COVID-19 since it portends severe clinical course. The pathogenesis of GI and hepatic involvement needs to be explored in future studies.
Topics: Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections; Gastrointestinal Diseases; Gastrointestinal Tract; Humans; Liver Diseases; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 32749643
DOI: 10.1007/s12664-020-01058-3 -
RMD Open May 2021Many studies reported high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with COVID-19 raising questions about its true prevalence and its clinical impact... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Many studies reported high prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in patients with COVID-19 raising questions about its true prevalence and its clinical impact on the disease course.
METHODS
We conducted a meta-analysis and a systematic review to examine the prevalence of aPL and its clinical impact in patients with COVID-19.
RESULTS
21 studies with a total of 1159 patients were included in our meta-analysis. Among patients hospitalised with COVID-19, the pooled prevalence rate of one or more aPL (IgM or IgG or IgA of anticardiolipin (aCL) or anti-ß2 glycoprotein (anti-ß2 GPI) or antiphosphatidylserine/prothrombin, or lupus anticoagulant (LA)) was 46.8% (95% CI 36.1% to 57.8%). The most frequent type of aPL found was LA, with pooled prevalence rate of 50.7% (95% CI 34.8% to 66.5%). Critically ill patients with COVID-19 had significantly higher prevalence of aCL (IgM or IgG) (28.8% vs 7.10%, p<0.0001) and anti-ß2 GPI (IgM or IgG) (12.0% vs 5.8%, p<0.0001) as compared with non-critically ill patients. However, there was no association between aPL positivity and mean levels of C reactive protein (mean difference was 32 (95% CI -15 to 79), p=0.18), D-dimer (mean difference was 34 (95% CI -194 to 273), p=0.77), mortality (1.46 (95% CI 0.29 to 7.29), p=0.65), invasive ventilation (1.22 (95% CI 0.51 to 2.91), p=0.65) and venous thromboembolism (1.38 (95% CI 0.57 to 3.37), p=0.48).
CONCLUSIONS
aPLs were detected in nearly half of patients with COVID-19, and higher prevalence of aPL was found in severe disease. However, there was no association between aPL positivity and disease outcomes including thrombosis, invasive ventilation and mortality. However, further studies are required to identify the clinical and pathological role of aPL in COVID-19.
Topics: Antibodies, Antiphospholipid; Biomarkers; COVID-19; Critical Illness; Humans; Prevalence; SARS-CoV-2; Severity of Illness Index
PubMed: 33958439
DOI: 10.1136/rmdopen-2021-001580 -
Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin Nov 2023Several vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (VITTS) cases have been reported after the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. The current study systematically... (Review)
Review
Several vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (VITTS) cases have been reported after the ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. The current study systematically reviewed the reported post-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccination thrombotic thrombocytopenia cases. Their laboratory and clinical features, as well as the diagnostic and therapeutic measures, were investigated. Online databases were searched until 25 August 2021. Studies reporting post-ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination thrombotic thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) were included. Overall, 167 cases (21-77 years old) from 53 publications were included showing a female dominance of 1.75 times. About 85% of the cases exhibited the primary symptoms within the first two weeks post-vaccination. Headache was the most common initial symptom (>44.2%), and hemorrhage/thrombotic problems (22.46%), as well as discoordination/weakness/numbness/ hemiparesis/cyanotic toes (19.6%), were the most prevalent uncommon initial symptoms. Prothrombin time (PT), D-dimers, and C-reactive protein were the most remarkable increased laboratory parameters in 50.6%, 99.1%, and 55.6% of cases, respectively. In comparison, platelet and fibrinogen were the most remarkable decreased laboratory parameters in 92.7% and 50.5% of cases, respectively. Most VITT cases presented with cerebral venous thrombosis/cerebral venous sinus thrombosis, supraventricular tachycardia, transverse sinus/cerebral thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and cerebral hemorrhage. Anti-PF4 antibody measurement through immunoassays and functional assays were positive in 86.2% and 73% of cases, respectively. About 31% of the cases died. Early diagnosis and proper therapeutic measures are important in ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine-induced VITTS patients. Therefore, experts are recommended to know the corresponding clinical and laboratory features, as well as diagnostic methods. Elucidation of the pathophysiologic mechanism of ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccine-induced TTS deserves further investigation.
PubMed: 38022808
DOI: 10.34172/apb.2023.081 -
Pharmaceutics Feb 2023Rivaroxaban has been widely used to prevent and treat various thromboembolic diseases for more than a decade. However, whether a lower dose of rivaroxaban is required... (Review)
Review
Rivaroxaban has been widely used to prevent and treat various thromboembolic diseases for more than a decade. However, whether a lower dose of rivaroxaban is required for Asians is still debatable. This review aimed to explore the potential ethnic difference in pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) characteristics between Asians and Caucasians. A systematic search was conducted and twenty-four studies were identified, of which 10 were conducted on Asian adults, 11 on predominantly Caucasian adults, and 3 on Caucasian pediatrics. The apparent clearance (CL/F) of rivaroxaban in Caucasian adults with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (6.45-7.64 L/h) was about 31-43% higher than that in Asians (4.46-5.98 L/h) taking 10~20 mg rivaroxaban every 24 h. Moreover, there was no obvious difference in CL/F among Japanese, Chinese, Thai, and Irani people. Regarding PK/PD relationship, prothrombin time was linked to rivaroxaban concentration in a linear or near-linear manner, and Factor Xa activity was linked with the E model. The exposure-response relationship was comparable between Asians and Caucasians. Renal function has a significant influence on CL/F, and no covariate was recognized for exposure-response relationship. In conclusion, a lower dose of rivaroxaban might be required for Asians, and further studies are warranted to verify this ethnic difference to facilitate optimal dosing regimens.
PubMed: 36839909
DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics15020588 -
Frontiers in Medicine 2023This systematic review aimed to compare liver venous deprivation (LVD) with portal vein embolization (PVE) in terms of future liver volume, postoperative outcomes, and...
A systematic review and meta-analysis of liver venous deprivation versus portal vein embolization before hepatectomy: future liver volume, postoperative outcomes, and oncological safety.
INTRODUCTION
This systematic review aimed to compare liver venous deprivation (LVD) with portal vein embolization (PVE) in terms of future liver volume, postoperative outcomes, and oncological safety before major hepatectomy.
METHODS
We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis following the PRISMA guidelines 2020 and AMSTAR 2 guidelines. Comparative articles published before November 2022 were retained.
RESULTS
The literature search identified nine eligible comparative studies. They included 557 patients, 207 in the LVD group and 350 in the PVE group. This systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that LVD was associated with higher future liver remnant (FLR) volume after embolization, percentage of FLR hypertrophy, lower failure of resection due to low FLR, faster kinetic growth, higher day 5 prothrombin time, and higher 3 years' disease-free survival. This study did not find any difference between the LVD and PVE groups in terms of complications related to embolization, FLR percentage of hypertrophy after embolization, failure of resection, 3-month mortality, overall morbidity, major complications, operative time, blood loss, bile leak, ascites, post hepatectomy liver failure, day 5 bilirubin level, hospital stay, and three years' overall survival.
CONCLUSION
LVD is as feasible and safe as PVE with encouraging results making some selected patients more suitable for surgery, even with a small FLR.
SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION
The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO before conducting the study (CRD42021287628).
PubMed: 38269320
DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2023.1334661 -
Thrombosis Update 2021Venous thromboembolism is prevalent in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Through systematic review and meta-analysis, we have investigated the differences in clinical...
Venous thromboembolism is prevalent in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Through systematic review and meta-analysis, we have investigated the differences in clinical characteristics and outcome of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with (+) and without (-) venous thromboembolism (VTE). 45 studies with a total of 8859 patients were included in the qualitative synthesis. Subsequently, 38 studies with a total of 7847 patients, were quantitatively analyzed. There was no mortality difference between the VTE (-) and VTE (+) hospitalized COVID-19 patients (RR1.32 (0.97, 1.79); 0.07; 64%, < 0.001). Patients with VTE (+) were more likely to get admitted to the intensive care unit (RR1.77 (1.26, 2.50); < 0.001; 63%, = 0.03) and mechanically ventilated (RR 2.35 (1.22, 4.53); = 0.01; 88%, < 0.001). Moreover, male gender (RR 1.19 (1.14,1.24), < 0.001; 0%, = 0.68), increased the risk of VTE. Regarding patients lab values', VTE (+) was significantly associated with higher white blood cell, neutrophil count, D-Dimer, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and C-reactive protein (CRP), along with prolonged prothrombin time. On the contrary, VTE (+) was associated with lower albumin and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR). This findings provide the initial framework for risk stratification of hospitalized COVID-19 patients with VTE.
PubMed: 38620815
DOI: 10.1016/j.tru.2021.100037 -
Journal of Clinical Anesthesia Dec 2021Previous studies reported that controlled low central venous pressure (CVP) can reduce blood loss during liver resection. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
STUDY OBJECTIVE
Previous studies reported that controlled low central venous pressure (CVP) can reduce blood loss during liver resection. This systematic review and meta-analysis sought to explore the efficacy and safety of low CVP in patients undergoing hepatectomy.
DESIGN
A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
REVIEW METHODS
RCTs were searched in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Chinese BioMedical database, Chinese Scientific Journals Database, and Wanfang database from inception to April 30, 2021. Subgroup analyses were performed based on different surgical methods (open hepatectomy vs laparoscopic hepatectomy) and published countries (China vs other countries). The quality of evidence was assessed by Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation.
MAIN RESULTS
Eighteen RCTs containing 1285 participants (626 patients in the low CVP group and 659 patients in the control group) were included in this study. The forest plot showed that low CVP effectively reduced blood loss during liver resection compared with the control group (MD = -311.92 mL, 95% CI [-429.03, -194.81]; P < 0.001, I = 96%). Furthermore, blood transfusion volume (MD = -158.85 mL, 95% CI [-218.30, -99.40]; P < 0.001, I = 55%) and the number of patients requiring transfusion (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.27-0.65, P < 0.001, I = 0%) were decreased in the low CVP group. Subgroup analyses showed similar results. Notably, the alanine transaminase level was significantly lower in the low CVP group during the first five postoperative days. However, no significant differences were observed for other postoperative liver function indicators (aspartate aminotransferase, total bilirubin, serum albumin, and prothrombin time), renal function indicators (blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine) and perfusion parameters (heart rate, mean arterial pressure, and urine volume). The incidence of complications was similar between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
The findings of this study showed that low CVP is effective and safe during hepatectomy. Therefore, this technique is recommended to reduce blood loss during hepatectomy. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42021232829.
Topics: Blood Loss, Surgical; Blood Transfusion; Central Venous Pressure; Hepatectomy; Humans; Laparoscopy
PubMed: 34343737
DOI: 10.1016/j.jclinane.2021.110467