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Cureus Dec 2020Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare cause of heart failure that occurs during the final month of pregnancy through about five months after delivery, without any...
When a Peripartum Cardiomyopathy Patient Hides Various and Serious Risk Factors for Recurrent and Fatal Thromboembolic Events Even Under Well-Conducted Oral Anticoagulation.
Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) is a rare cause of heart failure that occurs during the final month of pregnancy through about five months after delivery, without any other known cause, and it increases the risk of thromboembolic events by many folds. A 38-year-old female with a history of peripartum dilated cardiomyopathy was admitted to our hospital, one month after a cesarean section, for severe breathlessness. Examination revealed signs of global heart failure and right deep vein thrombosis. Pulmonary CT angiography revealed pulmonary embolism of the right pulmonary artery. The patient was treated by oral anticoagulation with acenocoumarol with all international normalized ratio (INR) values within the target range (2-3). One month later, she was admitted to the emergency department with acute dyspnea and superior vena cava syndrome. Thoracic CT angiogram showed bilateral pulmonary emboli associated with an extensive deep vein thrombosis of both internal jugular veins, sigmoid sinuses, subclavian veins, innominate venous trunks, and the origin of the superior vena cava without any lesion suspected of malignancy. The thrombophilia screen performed six weeks after the suspension of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) revealed severe deficiencies of protein C and protein S. In this report, we present the first case of recurrence of fatal thromboembolic events under well-conducted oral anticoagulation in a patient with PPCM associated with severe protein C and protein S deficiencies.
PubMed: 33532155
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.12392 -
Trials Jan 2021Oral anticoagulant drugs represent an essential tool in the prevention of thromboembolic events. The ones in widespread use are vitamin K antagonists, whose plasma level...
Efficacy of a joint didactic intervention using the Junta De Andalucía School for Patients method to control prothrombin time in patients taking anticoagulants: protocol for a randomized controlled trial.
BACKGROUND
Oral anticoagulant drugs represent an essential tool in the prevention of thromboembolic events. The ones in widespread use are vitamin K antagonists, whose plasma level is monitored by measuring prothrombin time using the international normalized ratio. If its values are out of the recommended range, the patient will have a higher risk of suffering from thromboembolic or hemorrhagic complications. Previous research has shown that approximately 33% of patients keep having values at an inappropriate level. The purpose of the proposed study is to improve the international normalized ratio control results by a joint didactic intervention based on the Junta de Andalucía School for Patients method that will be implemented by anticoagulated patients themselves.
METHODS
A randomized controlled trial will be undertaken at primary care centers from one healthcare area in Málaga (Andalusia, Spain).
STUDY POPULATION
patients participating in an oral anticoagulant therapy program of vitamin K antagonists. First step: identification of patients in the oral anticoagulation therapy program with international normalized ratio control of the therapeutic level at 65% or less over total time. Second step: patients with international normalized ratio (INR) control figures under 2 or above 3 will be assigned to two different groups: Group 1 or joint intervention group: patients will be instructed in the joint didactic "from peer to peer," by a previously trained and expert anticoagulant patient. Group 2 or control group: the control group will receive the usual clinical practice. They will be evaluated by nurses about once a month, except for cases in which their INR figures are under 2 or above 3, and those patients will be evaluated more frequently. A total of 312 individuals will be required (156 in each group) to detect differences in INR figures equal to or higher than 15% between the groups.
STUDY VARIABLES
time on therapeutic levels before and after the intervention; sociodemographic variables; vital signs; the existence of cardiovascular risk factors or accompanying diseases in the clinical records; laboratory test including complete blood counts, bleeding time, and prothrombin time or partial thromboplastin time; and blood chemistry, other prescribed drugs, and social support. A quasi-experimental analytic study with before-after statistical analysis of the intervention will be conducted. Linear regression models will be applied for the main variable results (international normalized ratio value, time on therapeutic level) inputting sociodemographic variables, accompanying diseases, and social support.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03647254 . Registered on 27 August 2018.
Topics: Anticoagulants; Humans; International Normalized Ratio; Prothrombin Time; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Schools; Spain
PubMed: 33430922
DOI: 10.1186/s13063-020-04972-1 -
Thrombosis Journal Jan 2021Managing thrombosis in rare sites is challenging. Existing studies and guidelines provide detailed explanations on how to overcome lower-limb thromboses and pulmonary...
BACKGROUND
Managing thrombosis in rare sites is challenging. Existing studies and guidelines provide detailed explanations on how to overcome lower-limb thromboses and pulmonary embolisms, but few studies have examined thrombosis in rare sites. Lack of data makes clinical practice heterogeneous. Recommendations for diagnosing, treating, and following-up internal jugular vein thrombosis are not clearly defined and mostly based on adapted guidelines for lower-limb thrombosis.
CASE PRESENTATION
A 52-year-old Caucasian woman came to the Emergency Department with chest, neck, and left arm pain. Computed tomography imagery showed a left internal jugular vein thrombosis. An extensive workup revealed a heterozygous factor V Leiden gene. Therapy was initiated with intravenous unfractionated heparin, then switched to oral acenocoumarol, which resolved the symptoms. Based on this case presentation and a literature review, we summarize the causes, treatment options, and prognosis of unprovoked internal jugular vein thrombosis.
CONCLUSIONS
Managing internal jugular vein thrombosis lacks scientific data from large randomized clinical trials, partly because such thromboses are rare. Our literature review suggested that clinical treatments for internal jugular vein thrombosis often followed recommendations for treating lower-limb thrombosis. Future specific studies are required to guide clinicians on the modalities of diagnosis, screening for thrombophilia or oncologic disease, treatment duration, and follow-up.
PubMed: 33407545
DOI: 10.1186/s12959-020-00246-7 -
Antibiotics (Basel, Switzerland) Jan 2021According to current European Society of Cardiology guidelines, for staphylococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis, rifampicin should be one of the drugs used. However,...
According to current European Society of Cardiology guidelines, for staphylococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis, rifampicin should be one of the drugs used. However, there is a concomitant need for vitamin K antagonists in patients with mechanical prostheses. It is widely known that rifampicin interacts with vitamin K antagonists (VKA), and this interaction makes it difficult to maintain the INR (international normalized ratio) value in the therapeutic range. We present two clinical cases of staphylococcal prosthetic valve endocarditis patients. Two different strategies for dealing with adverse drug interactions have been applied. In the first case, the dose of warfarin was up-titrated until the optimal INR value was obtained. In the second case, due to the history of labile INR values, a decision was made to modify the dosage of warfarin, taking into account pharmacological aspects of drug interactions.
PubMed: 33401531
DOI: 10.3390/antibiotics10010038 -
Revista Medica de Chile Sep 2020Vitamin K antagonist medications (VKA) are essential for the prevention of thromboembolic events, but their effectiveness is influenced by multiple factors, such as the...
BACKGROUND
Vitamin K antagonist medications (VKA) are essential for the prevention of thromboembolic events, but their effectiveness is influenced by multiple factors, such as the type of medication chosen.
AIM
To evaluate the efficacy in anticoagulant control of the bioequivalent and non-bioequivalent drugs of acenocoumarol compared to the reference drug. To evaluate the efficacy of warfarin bioequivalents available in Chile. To contrast the overall anticoagulant control efficacy between acenocoumarol and warfarin.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
The results of 69333 outpatient oral anticoagulation controls were analyzed. Patient were separated in groups according to the drug that they used. Subsequently, the proportions of controls outside the range for each of acenocoumarol and warfarin bioequivalent drugs were compared. Acenocoumarol non-bioequivalent drugs were also compared with the reference drug. Acenocoumarol was compared with warfarin.
RESULTS
Acenocoumarol bioequivalent drugs and the reference drug had a similar proportion of controls outside the range (Odds ratios (OR) 0.812; 0.969; 0.974 and 0.963). Non-bioequivalent drugs had a higher proportion than the reference drug (OR 1.561 and 2.037). Both warfarin brands have a similar proportion of controls outside of the range (OR 1.050). Acenocoumarol compared to warfarin had a significant higher proportion of controls outside the range (OR 1.191).
CONCLUSIONS
The pharmacological presentation of vitamin K antagonists could influence anticoagulant control. Therefore, it is not prudent to switch these presentations frequently.
Topics: Acenocoumarol; Administration, Oral; Anticoagulants; Chile; Humans; Thromboembolism; Vitamin K
PubMed: 33399700
DOI: 10.4067/S0034-98872020000901254 -
Revista Espanola de Enfermedades... Aug 2021there is a rising number of patients receiving antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy who require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), probably due...
INTRODUCTION
there is a rising number of patients receiving antiplatelet and anticoagulation therapy who require endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), probably due to the increased morbidity of older patients. Considering the increasing use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), this study aimed to determine the influence of these factors on the possibility of hemorrhage after ERCP in our center.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
data were collected from all the examinations carried out in 2017 and 2018, which included 797 examinations on 588 patients. Collected data included personal history of the patients, results of the test and follow-up.
RESULTS
the percentage of post-ERCP bleeding was 4.6 % (n = 37). With regard to the severity, the bleeding was mild in 21.6 % (n = 8) of the cases, moderate in 59.5 % (n = 22) and severe in 18.9 % (n = 7). Previous cardiopathy antiplatelet therapy, anticoagulation therapy, treatment with DOACs, having a pancreatic stent and lithiasis removal doubled the risk of bleeding after ERCP. Having a sphincterotomy increased the risk by over five-fold.
CONCLUSION
according to the multivariate analysis, a statistically significant increase of bleeding among patients treated with DOACs was observed compared to patients who received anticoagulation with acenocoumarol or low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH).
Topics: Anticoagulants; Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; Hemorrhage; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; Humans; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Stents
PubMed: 33371701
DOI: 10.17235/reed.2020.7547/2020 -
Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology... Jun 2020Acute pancreatitis is associated with activation of coagulation and there is a close relationship between coagulation and the severity of this disease. Administration of...
Acute pancreatitis is associated with activation of coagulation and there is a close relationship between coagulation and the severity of this disease. Administration of anticoagulants such as heparin or acenocoumarol has shown to reduce the severity of acute pancreatitis and accelerate the recovery. The aim of the current study was to determine the impact of warfarin administration on the course of ischemia/reperfusion-induced acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis was induced in rats by pancreatic ischemia followed by reperfusion. Vehicle (1 ml/dose) or warfarin (45, 90 or 180 μg/kg/dose in 1 ml of vehicle) were administered intragastrically once a day. The first dose of warfarin was given 24 h after the start of pancreatic reperfusion. The severity of acute pancreatitis was assessed 2, 5, 9 and 14 days after the beginning of pancreatic reperfusion. Treatment with warfarin reduces pancreatic damage and accelerates recovery in histological examination and this effect is accompanied by a faster reduction in serum activity of pancreatic digestive enzymes, lipase and amylase. In addition, warfarin led to an earlier decrease in serum concentration of pro-inflammatory interleukin-1β and plasma level of D-dimer. These effects were associated with an improvement of pancreatic blood flow. We conclude that warfarin exhibits a therapeutic effect in acute pancreatitis evoked by pancreatic ischemia followed by reperfusion.
Topics: Amylases; Animals; Anticoagulants; Biomarkers; Disease Models, Animal; Fibrin Fibrinogen Degradation Products; Interleukin-1beta; Lipase; Male; Pancreas; Pancreatitis; Rats, Wistar; Reperfusion Injury; Time Factors; Warfarin
PubMed: 33077694
DOI: 10.26402/jpp.2020.3.13 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Oct 2020(1) Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the preferences of oral anticoagulants (OA) in patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs or...
(1) Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the preferences of oral anticoagulants (OA) in patients diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) of lower limbs or non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) requiring anticoagulation for medium/long term. (2) Materials and methods: the study included consecutive patients admitted with a diagnosis of either acute DVT of lower limbs (without signs of pulmonary embolism) or non-valvular AF who required oral anticoagulation, in a time frame of 18 months from January 2017 until June 2018. The following data were recorded: demographic variables, comorbidities (ischemic heart disease, arterial hypertension, heart failure, stroke, peripheral artery disease, diabetes mellitus, obesity), type and dose of OA (acenocoumarol, dabigatran, apixaban, rivaroxaban), complications due to the use of OA. (3) Results: AF patients were older and had considerably more cardiovascular comorbidities than DVT patients. Vitamin K antagonists (VKA) were more likely to be administered in patients with AF, as they had indication for indefinite anticoagulation. VKA were more frequently prescribed in patients with ischemic heart disease, heart failure, and diabetes compared with DVT patients. Moreover, complications related to OA use were more frequent in the VKA group. Almost half of patients with acute DVT (48.5%) were treated with direct OA (DOAC) rather than VKA, and only a quarter of AF patients (24.8%) were treated with DOACs.
PubMed: 33076509
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare8040404 -
Indian Journal of Thoracic and... Oct 2019Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), such as warfarin and acenocoumarol, exert their anti-coagulant effect by inhibiting the subunit 1 of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex...
PURPOSE
Vitamin K antagonists (VKAs), such as warfarin and acenocoumarol, exert their anti-coagulant effect by inhibiting the subunit 1 of vitamin K epoxide reductase complex (VKORC1). CYP2C9 is a hepatic drug-metabolizing enzyme in the CYP450 superfamily and is the primary metabolizing enzyme of warfarin. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms, two in the CYP2C9 gene, namely CYP2C9*2 and CYP2C9*3, and one in the VKORC1 gene (c.- 1639G > A, rs9923231), have been identified to reduce VKA metabolism and enhance their anti-coagulation effect. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphism in Indians receiving VKA-based anti-coagulation after valve surgery and to evaluate the usefulness of genetic information in managing VKA-based anti-coagulation.
METHODS
In the current prospective observational study, 150 patients who underwent heart valve surgery and had stable INR were genotyped for VKORC1 (- 1639 G > A), CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3. The VKA dosage was estimated from published algorithms and compared to the clinically stabilized dosage.
RESULTS
Out of 150 patients, 101 (67.33%) were on warfarin and 49 (32.66%) were on acenocoumarol. Majority of the patients, the 83 in warfarin group and the 40 in acenocoumarol group, had a wild CYP2C9 diplotype. The rest had a mutant (CYP2C9*2 or CYP2C9*3) diplotype. Similarly, 67 patients in the warfarin group and 35 patients in the acenocoumarol group had wild type (G/G) of VKORC1 genotype. The rest had a mutant (G/A or A/A) VKORC1 genotype. In the warfarin group, based on the genotype, 51.5% of the patients were extensive or normal metabolizers, and 47.4% of the patients were intermediate metabolizers of VKAs. In the acenocoumarol group, 61.2% of the patients were extensive or normal metabolizers, and 38.8% of the patients were intermediate metabolizers. Individually, alleles of VKORC1 (- 1639 G > A), CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3 had mean dosage reduction effect on VKA dosage, which co-related to the clinically stabilized dosages ( < 0.0001). Among the VKORC1 (- 1639 G > A) cohort, the reduction in warfarin mean weekly dosage was 13.48 mg as compared to the wild-type category ( < 0.0001) and similarly, the reduction in the mean weekly acenocoumarol dose was 6.07 mg ( < 0.03) as compared to the wild type after adjusting for age, gender, and body mass index.
CONCLUSION
Single nucleotide polymorphism in the CYP2C9 gene and in the VKORC1 gene is present in nearly 40% of Indian patients. VKORC1 (- 1639 G > A), CYP2C9*2, and CYP2C9*3 genotypes have significant dosage-lowering effects on VKA-based anti-coagulation therapy. The trend in estimated dosages of VKAs co-related to that of observed the clinically stabilized dosage in the cohort. The pharmacogenomic calculators used in this study tend to overestimate the VKA dosages as compared to clinical dosage due to the limitations in the algorithms and in our study. A new algorithm based on a larger dataset capturing the vast genetic variability across the Indian population and relevant clinical factors could provide better results.
PubMed: 33061049
DOI: 10.1007/s12055-019-00812-3