Chronic Antithrombotic Therapy Research Articles

Outcomes of trauma patients on chronic antithrombotic therapies in a trauma center in a rural state

ObjectiveThe number of trauma patients presenting with chronic antithrombotic therapy is on the rise. The risk of hemorrhage, the leading cause of death in trauma patients, increases for those on such therapy. This study sought to compare the clinical outcomes of patients on warfarin, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), or antiplatelet agents. MethodsA retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on adult patients admitted to a Level 1 trauma center with pre-admission antithrombotic therapy. Patients were divided into those on warfarin, DOACs, and antiplatelet agents. The primary outcomes measured were hospital mortality, total blood products received, hospital length of stay (LOS), and ICU LOS. Results738 patients were included in the study: 191 (26 %) warfarin, 260 (35 %) DOACs, and 287 (39 %) antiplatelet. There were no differences in the demographic variables between study groups. The Injury Severity Score (ISS) was similar across the three groups as well as blood product usage, reversal agent usage, and mean hospital stay. Multivariable regression showed patients with pre-admission antiplatelet usage were more likely to have a shorter ICU LOS than those on warfarin (p = 0.048). ConclusionBlood product and reversal agent use was similar between patients on warfarin, DOACs, or antiplatelet agents. Patients on antiplatelet agents had a shorter ICU stay than the warfarin group, the only significant difference observed. Our results indicate similar safety profiles of antithrombotic medications in a generic trauma population, likely due to institutional protocols to increase responsiveness and immediate availability of resources when the patient has known anticoagulation.

Drugs most commonly used in chronic antithrombotic therapy and their impact on patients preparing for maxillofacial surgery.

Drugs most commonly used in chronic antithrombotic therapy and their impact on patients preparing for maxillofacial surgery.

Hemorrhagic Complications Following Trabecular Bypass Microstent Surgery in the Setting of Antithrombotic Therapy.

In this retrospective study, the use of chronic antithrombotic therapy (ATT) did not increase the risk of hemorrhagic complications after trabecular bypass microstent surgery and phacoemulsification. Stent type and female sex were associated with hyphema. To report the incidence of hemorrhagic complications after trabecular bypass microstent surgery and phacoemulsification with and without (ATT). Retrospective case series on glaucoma patients on chronic ATT who underwent trabecular bypass microstent surgery (iStent, iStent inject, and Hydrus) combined with phacoemulsification between 2013 and 2019 with ≥3-month follow-up. The primary outcome measure was the incidence of hemorrhagic complications within a 3-month postoperative period. Generalized estimating equations were created to account for inter-eye correlation and logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors predictive of hemorrhagic complications. Of 333 patients (435 eyes), 161 patients (211 eyes) were on ATT and 172 patients (224 eyes) were not on ATT; both groups were similar in age and baseline ocular characteristics. The only hemorrhagic complication was hyphema, which occurred in 84 (19.3%) eyes (41 ATT, 43 non-ATT eyes; P = 1.00). Onset was at postoperative day 1 in 98.8% of eyes, with a duration of 1 week in 73.8% of eyes, without difference between ATT and non-ATT groups. Hyphema was most common with Hydrus microstent (36.4%) versus iStent (19.9%) and iStent inject (8.5%) ( P = 0.003). In the multivariate model, the female sex was a predictor of hyphema [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.062; P = 0.009], iStent inject was protective against hyphema (HR = 0.379; P = 0.033), whereas Hydrus did not reach statistical significance (HR = 2.007; P = 0.081). Age, systemic comorbidities, ATT use, and baseline ocular characteristics were not significant predictors. Hemorrhagic complications after trabecular bypass microstent surgery were limited to transient hyphema and were not associated with chronic ATT use. Stent type and female sex were associated with hyphema.

Patients prescribed antithrombotic medication in elective implant-based breast reconstruction are high risk for major thrombotic complications

Implant-based reconstruction (IBR) is the most frequently performed breast reconstruction procedure in the USA. As the US population ages, an increasing number of these patients suffer from comorbidities requiring the use of chronic antithrombotic therapy. Outcomes following IBR in patients prescribed these medications are not well understood. An all-payor administrative claims database (52 million patients) was queried for patients undergoing IBR from 2010 through 2018. Patients who were prescribed therapeutic antithrombotic therapy, and those who were not, were matched in a one-to-one fashion for comorbidities independently associated with bleeding and thrombo-ischemic events following first-stage IBR. Cox proportional hazards models investigated the 90-day risk of bleeding and major thrombo-ischemic events following IBR. Of the 36,379 patients found to have undergone IBR, 2,024 patients were perfectly matched for age and high-risk comorbidities. Patients prescribed antithrombotic drugs had increased 90-day risk for all thrombo-ischemic complications (HR: 5.62, 95% CI: 3.53-8.95, p < 0.0001), as well as a significantly increased risk for 90-day DVT, 90-day PE, 90-day myocardial infarction, and 90-day stroke. Patients specifically prescribed antiplatelet drugs, direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), and warfarin had a significantly increased risk for transfusion. Patients prescribed antithrombotic therapy had a significantly increased risk for life-threatening thrombotic events and transfusion following elective IBR. This suggests a role for further monitoring and a potential role for multi- and interdisciplinary interventions to help mitigate this risk. These interventions can be the subject of future prospective studies.

Recurrent Pump Thromboses in an LVAD Patient with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

<h3>Introduction</h3> There is limited literature regarding the management of LVAD patients with concomitant hematologic malignancies. This case report describes a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) who developed recurrent pump thromboses after LVAD implantation. <h3>Case Report</h3> A 66-year-old man with a past medical history of ischemic cardiomyopathy requiring HeartWare implant, CLL, and secondary polycythemia presents with recurrent pump thromboses. After an uneventful 17 months, the patient presented with gross hematuria, elevated LDH, and high pump parameters. Chronic antithrombotic therapy (AT) was per center protocol with warfarin (goal INR 2-3, time in therapeutic range [TTR] 65%) and aspirin. Hgb levels were elevated with an average of 14.0g/dL over the prior 3 months. Upon admission, he was treated with heparin without improvement in LDH or symptoms. Therapy was then escalated to alteplase (two bolus regimen of 10mg push over 1 minute and a 1mg/min push over 20 minutes followed by an extended infusion dosed at 1mg/hr for 45 hours), with improvement in LDH, pump parameters, and no adverse events. AT was intensified at discharge (INR goal 2.5-3.0, ticagrelor added) and oncology was consulted to manage Hgb levels outpatient with therapeutic phlebotomy for a goal of <12g/dL. Patient had 2 more events of pump thromboses, 2.5 and 15 months after the first and second events, respectively - both of which responded to alteplase. Hgb was at goal after the first event but was temporarily elevated 8 months prior to third event following a course of IV iron. After the second event, AT was altered to enoxaparin 1mg/kg q12hr and aspirin, given warfarin failure (two thrombotic events with above average TTR); ticagrelor was discontinued in the event an urgent pump exchange was needed. After the third event, AT was intensified again by resuming ticagrelor. Pump exchange was deferred given improvements in LDH and resolution of symptoms. In an LVAD patient with CLL, escalating AT was insufficient. Targeting a lower Hgb level, to reduce the resistance within the pump, may be beneficial. <h3>Summary</h3> Hematologic malignancies can pose an increased risk of thrombosis despite appropriate anticoagulation, and management can be challenging in LVAD patients. More aggressive control of hemoglobin in addition to adequate anticoagulation is critical in managing these patients.

The impact of antithrombotic therapy on the time of detection of bladder cancer.

The aim of this article was to investigate the impact of chronic antithrombotic therapy (AT) use on the time of detection of bladder cancer, assuming that patients taking AT experience episodes of macroscopic hematuria earlier, and therefore have a more favorable histopathological grade and stage, as well as a smaller number and size of tumors compared to patients not taking AT. A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted, including 247 patients who underwent bladder cancer surgery for the first time at our institution during the three-year period (2019-2021) and who experienced macroscopic hematuria. A lower frequency of high-grade bladder cancer (40.6% vs 60.1%, P = 0.006), T2 stage (7.2% vs 20.2%, P = 0.014), and a lower frequency of tumors larger than 3.5 cm (29% vs 57.9%, P <0.001) were found in patients using AT compared to patients not using them. The patients using AT had a smaller mean tumor size (2.98 vs 4.51 cm, P <0.001). A multivariable regression analysis, adjusted for age, sex, and number of comorbidities, showed a lower probability of having a high-grade cancer (OR 0.393, 95% CI 0.195-0.792, P = 0.009), T2 stage (OR 0.276, 95% CI 0.090-0.849, P = 0.025), and tumors larger than 3.5 cm (OR 0.261, 95% CI 0.125-0.542, P <0.001) in patients using AT. More favorable histopathological grades, stages, and smaller tumor sizes were found in patients with bladder cancer who experienced macroscopic hematuria and were using AT compared to patients not taking AT.

Antithrombotic Management in Adult Kidney Transplantation: A European Survey Study

In kidney transplantation (KTx), renal graft thrombosis (RGT) is one of the main reasons for early graft loss. Although evidence-based guidance on prevention of RGT is lacking, thromboprophylaxis is widely used. The aim of this survey was to obtain a European view of the different thromboprophylactic strategies applied in KTx. An online 22-question survey, addressed to KTx professionals, was distributed by email and via platforms of the European Society for Organ Transplantation. Seventy-five responses (21 countries, 51 centers) were received: 75% had over 10 years’ clinical experience, 64% were surgeons, 29% nephrologists, and 4% urologists. A written antithrombotic management protocol was available in 75% of centers. In 8 (16%) centers, respondents contradicted each other regarding the availability of a written protocol. Thromboprophylaxis is preferred by 78% of respondents, independent of existing antithrombotic management protocols. Ninety-two percent of respondents indicated that an anticipated bleeding risk is the main reason to discontinue chronic antithrombotic therapy preoperatively. Intraoperatively, 32% of respondents administer unfractionated heparin (400–10,000 international units with a median of 5,000) in selected cases. Despite an overall preference for perioperative thromboprophylaxis in KTx, there is a high variation within Europe regarding type, timing, and dosage, most likely due to the paucity of high-quality studies. Further research is warranted in order to develop better guidelines.

Safety of liver resection in patients receiving antithrombotic therapy: A systematic review of the literature.

BACKGROUNDLittle is unknown about the effect of chronic antithrombotic therapy (ATT) on bleeding complication during or after hepatectomy. In addition, the safety and effectiveness of chemical prevention for venous thromboembolism (VTE) is still controversial.AIMTo clarify the effect of ATT on thromboembolism and bleeding after liver resection.METHODSArticles published between 2011 and 2020 were searched from Google Scholar and PubMed, and after careful reviewing of all studies, studies concerning ATT and liver resection were included. Data such as study design, type of surgery, type of antithrombotic agents, and surgical outcome were extracted from the studies.RESULTSSixteen published articles, including a total of 8300 patients who underwent hepatectomy, were eligible for inclusion in the current review. All studies regarding patients undergoing chronic ATT showed that hepatectomy can be performed safely, and three studies have also shown the safety and efficacy of preoperative continuation of aspirin. Regarding chemical prevention for VTE, some studies have shown a potentially high risk of bleeding complications in patients undergoing chemical thromboprophylaxis; however, its efficacy against VTE has not been shown statistically, especially among Asian patients.CONCLUSIONHepatectomy in patients with chronic ATT can be performed safely without increasing the incidence of bleeding complications, but the safety and effectiveness of chemical thromboprophylaxis against VTE during liver resection is still controversial, especially in the Asian population. Establishing a clear protocol or guideline requires further research using reliable studies with good design.

Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in Gynecologic Surgery: ACOG Practice Bulletin, Number 232.

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) are collectively referred to as "venous thromboembolic events" (VTE). Despite advances in prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment, VTE remains a leading cause of cost, disability, and death in postoperative and hospitalized patients (1, 2). Beyond the acute sequelae of leg pain, edema, and respiratory distress, VTE may result in chronic conditions, including postthrombotic syndrome (3), venous insufficiency, and pulmonary hypertension. This Practice Bulletin has been revised to reflect updated literature on the prevention of VTE in patients undergoing gynecologic surgery and the current surgical thromboprophylaxis guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians (4). Discussion of gynecologic surgery and chronic antithrombotic therapy is beyond the scope of this document.

Impact of pre-admission antithrombotic therapy on disease severity and mortality in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Anticoagulant therapy is a cornerstone treatment for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) due to the high rates of thromboembolic complications associated with this disease. We hypothesized that chronic antithrombotic therapy could play a protective role in patients hospitalized for COVID-19. Retrospective, observational study of all patients admitted to our hospital for ≥ 24 h from March 1 to May 31, 2020 with SARS-CoV-2. The objective was to evaluate clinical outcomes and mortality in COVID-19 patients receiving chronic anticoagulation (AC) or antiplatelet therapy (AP) prior to hospital admission. A total of 1612 patients were evaluated. The mean (standard deviation; SD) age was 66.5 (17.1) years. Patients were divided into three groups according to the use of antithrombotic therapy prior to admission (AP, AC, or no-antithrombotic treatment). At admission, 9.6% of the patients were taking anticoagulants and 19.1% antiplatelet therapy. The overall mortality rate was 19.3%. On the multivariate analysis there were no significant differences in mortality between the antithrombotic groups (AC or AP) and the no-antithrombotic group (control group). Patients on AC had lower ICU admission rates than the control group (OR: 0.41, 95% CI, 0.18–0.93). Anticoagulation therapy prior to hospitalization for COVID-19 was associated with lower ICU admission rates. However, there were no significant differences in mortality between the patients receiving chronic antithrombotic therapy and patients not taking antithrombotic medications. These findings suggest that chronic anticoagulation therapy at the time of COVID-19 infection may reduce disease severity and thus the need for ICU admission.

Stroke Prevention in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in Real Clinical Practice, Emphasis on Efficacy and Safety of Anticoagulant Therapy

Aim To evaluate frequency of administration of anticoagulant therapy (ACT) for atrial fibrillation and to study the effect of chronic antithrombotic therapy (ATT) on kidney function.Material and methods Due to a high medical and social significance of AF, much attention is presently paid to appropriate administration of ACT for AF in clinical practice. The study retrospectively analyzed 776 case reports of hospitalized patients with AF. The effect of chronic ATT on kidney function was studied in 70 patients who were rehospitalized, including 25 patients treated with warfarin, 25 patients treated with direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC), and 20 patients treated with acetylsalicylic acid (ASA).Results In January 2014, at the prehospital stage, 74.3 % of patients did not receive ATT, 14.7 % of patients received antiplatelet therapy, and only 11 % received anticoagulants. In the hospital in January 2014, ACTs were administered to 74.3 % of patients (warfarin, 58.6 %; DOAC, 15.7 %), 20.6 % of patients received antiplatelet drugs, and 5.1 % of patients were discharged without ATT. In January 2019, the number of patients receiving ACT at the prehospital stage increased to 58.1 % (warfarin, 13.8 %; DOAC, 44.3 %); 12 % of patients received antiplatelet drugs; and 29.9 % of patients did not receive ATT. The number of patients treated with warfarin and DOAC in the hospital increased to 14.8 % and 70.6 % (rivaroxaban, 33.4 %; apixaban, 25.5 %, and dabigatran, 11.7 %), respectively. The number of patients taking antiplatelet drugs decreased to 3.7 %, and the number of patients without ATT decreased to 10.9 %. There were no statistically significant differences in glomerular filtration rate (GFR) between these three groups at baseline. Only in the warfarin treatment group, GFR was significantly decreased from baseline during the follow-up period. Comparison of GFR in three study groups at the finale stage of the study showed significant differences between mean GFRs in the warfarin treatment group and the DOAC treatment group and between the warfarin treatment group and the ASA treatment group.Conclusion Among the prescribed and taken anticoagulants, DOACs are presently in the first place. Among DOACs, the most frequently prescribed drug is rivaroxaban. GFR decreases with the DOAC treatment slower than with the warfarin treatment. Despite the slower decrease in GFR with the ASA treatment compared to warfarin, ASA is not indicated for prevention of stroke in AF due to its low efficacy.

New Hemostatic Agents: Perioperative Anesthetic Considerations.

Pharmacologic agents with procoagulant effects and antidotes against antithrombotic drugs play an important role in the prevention and management of perioperative coagulopathic bleeding. The aim of this narrative review is knowledge transfer from new and renewed hemostatic agents to anesthesiologists and other physicians involved in perioperative medicine. The literature search was performed on PubMed and the Summaries of Product Characteristics of 6 pharmacologic agents of interest: fibrinogen concentrate, vonicog alfa, susoctocog alfa, idarucizumab, andexanet alfa, and argatroban. This review highlights renewed interest in fibrinogen concentrate, an old prohemostatic drug, in correcting hypofibrinogenemia which is a leading pathomechanism of perioperative bleeding. This review describes clinically relevant aspects for brand new recombinant prohemostatic drugs for their use in critical clinical situations: vonicog alfa for the prevention and correction of bleeding in von Willebrand syndrome, and susoctocog alfa in acquired hemophilia A. Clinical experience and increasing evidence broadened the field of applications of the old antithrombotic drug argatroban to heparin resistance. New antidotes against new antithrombotic agents revolutionized the safety of chronic antithrombotic therapy in the emergency situations of acute and trauma surgery. Information on dosing and handling of new hemostatic drugs is summarized. New and potent hemostatic agents exist for perioperative use and may enrich the armamentarium of anesthesiologists. Implementation into clinical practice requires their availability and user knowledge. Sustainability of these new drugs depends on post-licensing research, cost-effectiveness, and clinical experience.

A Strategy of Continued Antiplatelet Agents, Vitamin K Antagonists, and Direct Oral Anticoagulants Throughout the Perioperative Period of Total Knee Arthroplasty in Patients Receiving Chronic Antithrombotic Therapy.

Background:Although continuing antithrombotic therapy is desirable to prevent perioperative cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, perioperative blood loss remains a concern in patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of continuing chronic antithrombotic therapy on blood loss and major bleeding events.Methods:We classified 201 consecutive patients undergoing total knee arthroplasty into 2 groups: (1) patients taking antiplatelet agents, vitamin K antagonists, and/or direct oral anticoagulants, referred to as the continuing antithrombotic therapy group (n = 32); and (2) patients not receiving these agents, referred to as the no antithrombotic therapy group (n = 169). During the study period, antithrombotic agents were continued perioperatively in all patients receiving antithrombotic therapy. Surgical procedures were performed without the use of a pneumatic tourniquet or drain. Screening for deep vein thrombosis was routinely performed before and after total knee arthroplasty. The total perioperative blood loss was calculated from blood volume and change in hemoglobin from preoperatively to postoperative days 1, 3, and 7.Results:The perioperative blood loss after total knee arthroplasty did not differ significantly between the continuing antithrombotic therapy group and the no antithrombotic therapy group at 1 day postoperatively (448 ± 213 compared with 495 ± 345 mL [95% confidence interval (CI) of the difference, −172 to 77 mL]; p = 0.45), 3 days postoperatively (841 ± 308 compared with 826 ± 328 mL [95% CI, −108 to 139 mL]; p = 0.81), and 7 days postoperatively (855 ± 313 compared with 861 ± 245 mL [95% CI, −122 to 108 mL]; p = 0.91). No patients in the continuing antithrombotic therapy group and 2 patients (1.2%) in the no antithrombotic therapy group had allogeneic blood transfusion (p = 1). No major bleeding events occurred in the continuing antithrombotic therapy group.Conclusions:Perioperative blood loss in patients continuing chronic antithrombotic therapy during total knee arthroplasty was not significantly different from that in patients receiving no chronic antithrombotic therapy.Level of Evidence:Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Laparoscopic surgery in colon cancer patients treated with chronic anti-thrombotic therapy.

Anti-thrombotic medications are commonly used for the treatment and prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Laparoscopic resection of colon cancer has generally been accepted with favorable outcomes being reported in randomized control trials. However, the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic surgery for colon cancer patients receiving chronic anti-thrombotic therapy (AT) remain unclear. We identified 951 patients who underwent elective resection for colon cancer between 2009 and 2016 from our database. Patients were classified according to the surgical approach and chronic AT. Clinicopathological factors and surgical outcomes were analyzed between patient groups. Patients' backgrounds were matched using propensity scores in laparoscopic surgery. Anti-thrombotic drugs were chronically used in 135 patients. Among 714 patients who underwent laparoscopy-assisted surgery, 96 received AT. The laparoscopic approach was superior to open surgery in terms of bleeding, surgical site infections, and hospital stay in patients receiving AT. In laparoscopy-assisted surgery, the AT group patients were older and showed lower hemoglobin and albumin levels than those not receiving AT (non-AT group), and were predominantly male. After propensity score matching, estimated blood loss and operative times were similar between the two groups (93 matched patients). The frequencies of postoperative bleeding (2.2%) and thrombotic complications (0%) in the AT group did not significantly differ from those in the non-AT group (1.1 and 0%, respectively). Moreover, AT did not affect survivals. Laparoscopic approach appears to be safer and beneficial for colonic cancer patients receiving long-term AT. Bleeding and thrombotic events associated with laparoscopic surgery were not significantly affected by AT.

Outcomes in Pelvic Organ Prolapse Surgery in Women Using Chronic Antithrombotic Therapy.

Chronic antithrombotic therapy is common among patients requiring surgery for pelvic organ prolapse because of age and comorbidities. The impact of chronic anticoagulation on postoperative complications in pelvic organ prolapse surgery has not been investigated. This study aims to determine if patients on chronic antithrombotic therapy are at increased risk for postoperative complications. This retrospective cohort study included women having prolapse surgery from 2012 to 2015, identified by Current Procedural Terminology codes, excluding patients undergoing concomitant major nonurogynecologic procedures. Baseline characteristics were compared and all procedures performed, operative duration, estimated blood loss, and length of hospitalization. Complications (blood transfusion, intensive care unit admission, reoperation, readmission, hematoma, thromboembolic event, and infection) were compared in women on chronic antithrombotic therapy and controls. Logistic regression determined odds ratio (OR) for complications in patients on chronic antithrombotics. Complications were graded by the Clavien-Dindo classification. A total of 388 charts were reviewed, and 386 patients met inclusion criteria. Twenty-one of the 386 patients were on chronic antithrombotic therapy. Chronic antithrombotic therapy increased overall complications (OR, 6.8; P < 0.0005), blood transfusion (OR, 165; P < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (OR, 19.10; P < 0.004), hospital readmission (OR, 20.7; P < 0.0005), vaginal hematoma (OR, 554.1; P < 0.001), infection (OR, 22.44; P < 0.004), and complications that required specific additional follow-up (OR, 9.42; P < 0.0005). There were no thromboembolic events. Antithrombotic therapy did not significantly increase reoperation rates (OR, 3.8; P = 0.275). Findings were maintained when adjusting for covariates of age and body mass index. Postoperative surgical complications after prolapse repair procedures are increased in patients who use chronic antithrombotic medication, the majority of cases are successfully managed conservatively.

Intravenous thrombolysis in acute ischemic stroke – our experience

Abstract Stroke is a major health problem worldwide and nationally: the second leading cause of death and dementia, the most common cause of epilepsy in the elderly, and a common cause of depression. Stroke is associated with an increased rate of morbidity, but it is also the leading cause of long-term morbidity and disability in industrialized countries. Thrombolysis by administering intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV-rtPA) is the only treatment method “in the therapeutic window” recognized in international protocols. The benefit-risk ratio should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, with the neurologist’s decision being individual and often difficult. The aim of our study was to analyze the outcome of this procedure in our hospital since 2015. We performed a retrospective clinical study of 77 patients with acute ischemic stroke subjected to IV-rtPA. Most patients with ischemic stroke undergoing intravenous thrombolysis did not receive chronic antithrombotictherapy. In most cases (76%) there was a decrease in the NIHSS score at 24 hours after thrombolysis and especially after 7 days (between 3 and 19 points), reflecting a reduction in poststroke disability in thrombolyzed patients. In the series of patients undergoing i.v. thrombolysis 5 deaths (10%) were recorded, the lowestrate of data/death ratereported in the literature (14-18%).

Perioperative management of antithrombotic treatment during implantation or revision of cardiac implantable electronic devices: the European Snapshot Survey on Procedural Routines for Electronic Device Implantation (ESS-PREDI).

The European Snapshot Survey on Procedural Routines for Electronic Device Implantation (ESS-PREDI) was a prospective European survey of consecutive adults who had undergone implantation/surgical revision of a cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) on chronic antithrombotic therapy (enrolment March-June 2015). The aim of the survey was to investigate perioperative treatment with oral anticoagulants and antiplatelets in CIED implantation or surgical revision and to determine the incidence of complications, including clinically significant pocket haematomas. Information on antithrombotic therapy before and after surgery and bleeding and thromboembolic complications occurring after the intervention was collected at first follow-up. The study population comprised 723 patients (66.7% men, 76.9% aged ≥66 years). Antithrombotic treatment was continued during surgery in 489 (67.6%) patients; 6 (0.8%) had their treatment definitively stopped; 46 (6.4%) were switched to another antithrombotic therapy. Heparin bridging was used in 55 out of 154 (35.8%) patients when interrupting vitamin K antagonist (VKA) treatment. Non-vitamin K oral anticoagulant (NOAC) treatment was interrupted in 88.7% of patients, with heparin bridging in 25.6%, but accounted for only 25.3% of the oral anticoagulants used. A total of 108 complications were observed in 98 patients. No intracranial haemorrhage or embolic events were observed. Chronic NOAC treatment before surgery was associated with lower rates of minor pocket haematoma (1.4%; P= 0.042) vs. dual antiplatelet therapy (13.0%), VKA (11.4%), VKA + antiplatelet (9.2%), or NOAC + antiplatelet (7.7%). Similar results were observed for bleeding complications (P= 0.028). Perioperative management of patients undergoing CIED implantation/surgical revision while on chronic antithrombotic therapy varies, with evidence of a disparity between guideline recommendations and practice patterns in Europe. Haemorrhagic complications were significantly less frequent in patients treated with NOACs. Despite this, the incidence of severe pocket haematomas was low.

Oral surgery in patients under antithrombotic therapy. Narrative review.

Aging population and increase of cardiovascular diseases have raised the number of patients receiving antithrombotic therapy in elective or emergency dental care, including surgical procedures. The aim of this article is to review the evidence and clinical guidelines published in the past five years for dental management of patients on antithrombotic therapy. The American Antithrombotic Therapy Guideline - 2012 - generally recommends not to suspend antiplatelet or anticoagulant treatment in dental procedures since they are considered to have low bleeding risk and easy resolution. In the dental area there is ample published evidence regarding oral surgical procedures management, especially by maxillofacial surgeons. Low number of complications associated with extractions or other minor surgeries of the oral cavity, without suspending antithrombotic drugs and only taking some minimum safeguards, such as healing by first intention or the use of some local hemostatic agents, have been shown. Overall, patients under chronic antithrombotic therapy should maintain their medications when undergoing low and medium complexity dental procedures, since complications are minor and easy to handle. Due to the interactions between them, particular care should be taken with patients using more than one drug.

Committee Opinion No 610

Surgery can present a management dilemma for gynecologists whose patients receive chronic antithrombotic therapy because the risk of hemorrhagic complications must be balanced against the risk of thromboembolic complications. Interruption of antithrombotic therapy to reduce perioperative bleeding poses a significant risk of recurrent thromboembolic events. Patients who receive chronic antithrombotic therapy should be seen at least 7 days before a planned procedure, and each woman should be included in decision making regarding risks and benefits specific to her situation. The schedule may need to be altered if the international normalized ratio is at a high level and in patients older than 75 years of age (who may need more time to correct their international normalized ratio). The patient's cardiologist often will have recommendations for the appropriate bridging therapy for a specific valve or stent. A discussion of the risks and benefits of different management schemes for chronic antithrombotic therapy may involve the surgeon, the patient, the anesthesiologist, and the primary care physician.

Pathophysiology of Cardiopulmonary Bypass: Current Strategies for the Prevention and Treatment of Anemia, Coagulopathy, and Organ Dysfunction.

The techniques and equipment of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) have evolved over the past 60 years, and numerous numbers of cardiac surgical procedures are conducted around the world using CPB. Despite more widespread applications of percutaneous coronary and valvular interventions, the need for cardiac surgery using CPB remains the standard approach for certain cardiac pathologies because some patients are ineligible for percutaneous procedures, or such procedures are unsuccessful in some. The ageing patient population for cardiac surgery poses a number of clinical challenges, including anemia, decreased cardiopulmonary reserve, chronic antithrombotic therapy, neurocognitive dysfunction, and renal insufficiency. The use of CPB is associated with inductions of systemic inflammatory responses involving both cellular and humoral interactions. Inflammatory pathways are complex and redundant, and thus, the reactions can be profoundly amplified to produce a multiorgan dysfunction that can manifest as capillary leak syndrome, coagulopathy, respiratory failure, myocardial dysfunction, renal insufficiency, and neurocognitive decline. In this review, pathophysiological aspects of CPB are considered from a practical point of view, and preventive strategies for hemodilutional anemia, coagulopathy, inflammation, metabolic derangement, and neurocognitive and renal dysfunction are discussed.