Injuries To Other Systems Research Articles

Effect of the coronavirus pandemic on tumor markers.

The new type of coronavirus could cause severe acute respiratory syndrome and injuries in other systems as well. Multiple organ damage can occur rapidly in patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). Previous studies have shown that many laboratory biomarkers were not within the normal ranges in COVID‐19 patients. We aimed to summarize laboratory parameters and the tumor markers in COVID‐19 patients. This is a retrospective cohort study conducted on 53 women between the ages of 19–85 years infected with COVID‐19 at a training and research hospital between May 2020 and August 2020. Of the 53 women, 16 (30.2%) had leukopenia. The mean C‐reactive protein level was 18.42 ± 59.33 mg/L. The mean procalcitonin level was 0.1 ± 0.21 µg/L. The liver function tests were within normal limits. The mean creatinine level was 0.58 ± 0.37 mg/dl. Elevated levels of α‐fetoprotein (AFP) in 1 patient, elevated levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in 2 patients, elevated levels of cancer antigen 125 (CA125) in 4 patients, elevated levels of CA19‐9 in 2 patients, and elevated levels of CA15‐3 in 2 patients were detected. One of 4 patients who were taken to the intensive care unit had elevated levels of AFP. In addition, 2 of 4 patients who were taken to the intensive care unit had elevated levels of CA125 and CA15‐3. Except for AFP, levels of all tumor markers of the patient who died were high. We found that COVID‐19 had no effect on tumor markers (CA125, CA19‐9, CA15‐3, AFP, and CEA).

Coagulopathy in moderate head injury. The role of early administration of low molecular weight heparin

Introduction: Abnormalities in blood coagulation are relatively common after traumatic brain injury (TBI). We prospectively studied the safety of the early antithrombotic prophylaxis with low molecular weight heparin.Methods: We prospectively evaluated 61 patients with moderate TBI. Patients requiring surgical treatment and/or with injuries in other systems were excluded. Coagulation studies included among others prothrombin time (PT), plasma fibrinogen levels and D-dimer levels. Blood samples were collected on admission and 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h later. Prophylaxis was started within 24 hours with tinzaparin.Results: In 42 of 61 patients a form of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was detected. The severity of head injury was correlated with the severity of the coagulation disorders. The PT was prolonged in the first two days. Plasma fibrinogen levels dropped initially and increased to above normal values 2-3 days later. D-dimer levels were significantly elevated and in 19 patients remained elevated throughout the study period. Clinical manifestations of DIC were not observed.Conclusions: Patients with moderate TBI are at a serious risk of developing brain intravascular microthrombosis. Our study supports the early use of low molecular weight heparin.