Recurrent Bleeding Research Articles

Transarterial embolization in Wunderlich syndrome due to recanalization of giant renal angiomyolipoma pseudoaneurysm: a case report and literature review

BackgroundAcute spontaneous bleeding from renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is one of the causes of Wunderlich syndrome, a rare and potentially fatal clinical condition. Clinical deterioration will occur if there is a delay in urgent management. There are several management options for renal angiomyolipoma rupture. However, until now little is known about the case of recanalization from post-coil embolization of renal angiomyolipoma. There is no guideline about embolization technique for the management of recurrent bleeding after embolization or coil recanalization of renal angiomyolipoma.Case presentationA 55-year-old male has Wunderlich syndrome caused by recurrent bleeding of giant AML of the left renal due to coil recanalization compounded by a pseudoaneurysm and other bleeding site in bilateral giant renal angiomyolipoma which is showed by contrast-enhanced abdominal computed tomography scan. The patient underwent urgent transarterial embolization and some blood transfusion. Clinical improvement occurred and the patient discharged several days later.ConclusionsEmbolization for spontaneous bleeding or rebleeding of renal pseudoaneurysms may become the first choice of treatment in bilateral multiple renal angiomyolipoma rather than other managements which are available to preserve renal function.

Our First Experience of Using Blue Light Laser for Endoscopic Endonasal Removal of Juvenile Angiofibromas

Background. Juvenile nasal angiofibroma (JNA) is a very rare benign lesion originating from the pterygopalatine fossa with distinctive epidemiologic features and growth patterns. The typical patient is an adolescent male with a clinical history of recurrent severe nasal bleedings and blockage the nose. Currently, even though surgery often caused severe operative bleeding, it is considered the ideal treatment for JNA. Refinement in preoperative embolization, which provides significant reduction of intraoperative bleeding. In spite of breakthrough of Endoscopic techniques which minimize the risk of residual disease, the search of new devises which can help to management of JNA is still continue in order to minimize the surgical complications. Laser methods as surgical treatment have been actively used in rhinology during the past decades. We purposed to summarize information about current lasers and their use in rhinology. Aim. The purpose of the study is the literature review and to describe our experience of using new blue laser during JNA removal. Evaluation of advantages and disadvantages, determination of indications and limits of its use in rhinosurgery Methods- A literature review from 2000 to 2022 using the PubMed database was employed. Keywords used included “laser surgery”, “blue light laser”, “photoangiolytic laser”, “laser in rhinosurgery”. The most up to date studies published for each rhinology condition that was treated with laser surgery was reviewed. Then endoscopic removal through the nose was performed. During the surgery TrueBlue laser was used to cut the tissues and coagulate injured vessels. Results. Rhinological conditions appropriate for laser applications are discussed. There are related papers to a number of applications including hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, rhinitis, turbinate surgery, dacryocystorhinostomy, septoplasty, choanal atresia, and sphenopalatine artery ligation, paying attention to the outcomes of the studies. It is the first experience of using blue laser in rhinosurgery and particulary ib removing JNA. Conclusion. Intranasal laser surgery, despite the fact that interventions are performed almost bloodlessly, and often do not require nasal tamponade, indications for their performance are limited, due to deep burns of the nasal mucosa, and alteration of mucociliary clearance therefore lasers are not so often used in rhinology. The short-wave blue laser with a wavelength of 445 nm, used in Europe in oto- and laryngosurgery, may have some potential advantages in rhinosurgery, but the practical dataset are limited yet.

Ideal strategy for nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Over 300 000 hospital admissions in the United States each year are due to patients with upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding (UGIB). Common etiologies of nonvariceal UGIB include peptic ulcers, mucosal erosions of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, Mallory-Weiss tears, Dieulafoy lesions, upper GI tract malignancy, or other etiology. Peptic ulcers classified as Forrest Ia, Ib, or IIa require endoscopic hemostasis, while IIb ulcers may be considered for endoscopic clot removal with endoscopic treatment of any underlying major stigmata. Endoscopic hemostasis for ulcers classified as Forrest IIc or III is not advised due to the low risk of recurrent bleeding. Endoscopic hemostasis in ulcer bleeding can be achieved using injection, thermal, and/or mechanical modalities. This review focuses on the currently recommended endoscopic therapies of patients presenting with acute nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage.

A 20 year experience in the management of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary hospital – a retrospective review

BackgroundNon-tubal ectopic pregnancies account for < 10% of all ectopic pregnancies. Due to its rarity and wide variation in clinical practice, there is no guideline or consensus for its management. We reported our 20-year experience in the management of non-tubal ectopic pregnancies in a tertiary hospital.MethodsThis is a retrospective review of all women admitted for non-tubal ectopic pregnancies from January 2003 to December 2022 in a tertiary hospital. Women with non-tubal ectopic pregnancies diagnosed by ultrasound or operation were included for analysis.ResultsWithin the study period, 180 women were diagnosed to have non-tubal ectopic pregnancies at a mean gestation of 6.8 weeks. 16.7% (30/180) were conceived via assisted reproduction. Medical treatment was the first-line management option for 81 women, of which 75 (92.1%) women received intralesional methotrexate administered under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. The success rate of intralesional methotrexate ranges from 76.5% to 92.3%. Intralesional methotrexate was successful even in cases with a positive fetal pulsation or with high human chorionic gonadotrophin levels up to 252605U/L. Twenty seven women were managed expectantly and 40 underwent surgery. Nine (11.1%), two (6.1%), and one (2.3%) women required surgery due to massive or recurrent bleeding following medical, expectant, or surgical treatment. Hysterotomy and uterine artery embolization were necessary to control bleeding in one Caesarean scar and one cervical pregnancy.ConclusionsIntralesional methotrexate is more effective than systemic methotrexate and should be considered as first line medical treatment for non-tubal ectopic pregnancies. It has a high success rate in the management of unruptured non-tubal ectopic pregnancies even in the presence of fetal pulsations or high human chorionic gonadotrophin levels, but patients may require a prolonged period of monitoring. Close surveillance and readily available surgery were required due to the risk of heavy post-procedural intra-abdominal bleeding.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Hysteroscopy and Its Use as a Therapeutic Aid in Perimenopausal and Postmenopausal Women – See and Treat

ABSTRACT Aim: The aim of this study was to study the therapeutic role of hysteroscopy in peri- and postmenopausal women in certain pathological conditions, where it can be done as a single-time procedure to diagnose and operate wherever needed and possible. Objective: The objective of this study was to measure the diagnostic accuracy of hysteroscopy and its therapeutic efficacy in peri- and postmenopausal women. Introduction: Hysteroscopy is one of the accurate diagnostic procedures in diagnosing the cause of peri- and postmenopausal bleeding (PMB). It can also be used to treat few benign conditions of peri- and PMB. Here, in our study, we tried to evaluate the accuracy of hysteroscopy in diagnosing the cause of peri- and PMB and its use in treating certain conditions of PMB. Materials and Methods: The study design is a prospective observational study; women with peri- and PMB were recruited for 1 year and followed for consecutive 3 years. Based on hysteroscopic findings and after confirming the histopathological examination report, women were treated. Women who did not need any further surgical procedures after operative hysteroscopy were followed for recurrence in benign conditions. Women with premalignant and malignant lesions underwent simple or radical hysterectomy soon after diagnosis. Results: A total of 71 women were enrolled in the study who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. There were 20 perimenopausal and 51 postmenopausal women, the mean age was 56.02 years. Most of the women presented with PMB (56.3%) or heavy menstrual bleeding (18.3%). Hysteroscopy has 83.34%, 100%, 100%, 98.46%, and 0.98% of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy, respectively, in diagnosing carcinomas. Out of 71 women, 58 were diagnosed with benign conditions, 6 had carcinoma, 7 had premalignant conditions, these 13 women with malignant or premalignant conditions underwent further surgical management as per protocol. 58 women who did not need any further surgical procedure, and hysteroscopy was sufficient to treat their condition were followed up for 3 consecutive years, 4 had recurrence of endometrial polyps, 6 had recurrence of bleeding and needed hysterectomy, thus in our study by means of hysteroscopy we could prevent hysterectomy in 67.7% of women with benign endometrial conditions. Conclusion: In conditions with benign endometrial polyps and fibroid polyps, hysteroscopy is very much useful for both diagnosis and treatment, which can be performed as a one-time procedure. Although this serves the purpose only in a small segment of women with peri- and PMB, it is needed in the prevention of unnecessary hysterectomies.

Real-world Safety and Effectiveness of Edoxaban in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism with or without Preceding Parenteral Anticoagulants: A Single-center Retrospective Study.

Objective Edoxaban is an anticoagulant used for venous thromboembolism (VTE) treatment and requires pretreatment with parenteral anticoagulants. However, pretreatment is not always performed in the clinical setting. In this study, we investigated the safety and effectiveness of edoxaban treatment in patients with VTE with or without pretreatment. Methods We retrospectively enrolled 364 patients who received edoxaban for VTE treatment between September 2014 and March 2020 and investigated patient demographics, VTE recurrence, and major bleeding as clinical outcomes in patients with or without pretreatment. Furthermore, the factors contributing to pretreatment decisions were assessed. Results Patients without pretreatment (n=208) had more active cancer cases and fewer pulmonary embolism complications than those with pretreatment (n=156). Lower levels of hemoglobin and higher levels of white blood cell counts, C-reactive protein, and D-dimer at the diagnosis were found in patients who received pretreatment than in those without pretreatment. No symptomatic VTE recurrence was observed. After propensity score matching, the cumulative incidence of major bleeding was not significantly higher in patients with pretreatment than in those without it (log-rank test, p=0.136). The incidence of deteriorated VTE on imaging did not significantly differ between patients with and without pretreatment, even after propensity matching (log-rank test, p=0.414). Conclusion In a real-world clinical setting, where physicians determined the use of parenteral anticoagulant lead-in according to their experience, patient demographics, and VTE characteristics, no significant differences were found regarding safety and effectiveness in edoxaban-treated VTE patients with or without pretreatment with parenteral anticoagulants.

Tunneled or Pocket Creation Method Versus Conventional Endoscopic Submucosal Dissection for Gastric Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Tunneled endoscopic submucosal dissection (T-ESD) and pocket creation-method ESD (PCM-ESD) are considered to have technical advantages over conventional ESD (C-ESD). However, data comparing these techniques for ESD of gastric lesions are limited. PubMed and Cochrane databases were reviewed for relevant studies from their inceptions to October 31, 2023. Studies comparing T-ESD or PCM-ESD (T/PCM-ESD) with C-ESD for gastric lesions were included. The primary outcomes were dissection speed and en-bloc resection. Secondary outcomes were R0 resection, recurrence, perforation, and post-ESD bleeding. A random effects meta-analysis was conducted. Eight observational studies (359 patients with T/PCM-ESD, 670 patients with C-ESD) were included. T/PCM-ESD was associated with a significantly faster dissection speed (mean difference, 4.42mm2/min; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.05-6.79; I2= 79%). There were no significant differences between the groups in terms of en-bloc resection (risk ratio [RR], 1.01; 95% CI, 1.00-1.03; I2= 0%), R0 resection (RR, 1.03; 95% CI, 0.99-1.07; I2= 0%), and recurrence (RR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.14-3.84; I2= 0%). Although T/PCM-ESD was associated with a significantly lower risk of perforation (RR, 0.21; 95% CI, 0.06-0.80; I2= 0%), post-ESD bleeding rates were not significantly different. T/PCM-ESD facilitates faster and safer gastric ESD than C-ESD, with similar en-bloc resection, R0 resection, and recurrence rates. A future randomized controlled control trial is required.

Association between antithrombotic drug regimen changes and clinical outcomes after stroke in atrial fibrillation

BackgroundThe impact of post-stroke antithrombotic regimen in atrial fibrillation is uncertain. ObjectiveThis study aimed to describe antithrombotic therapy prescribing patterns after ischemic stroke and the impact on outcomes. MethodsA total of 23,165 patients with atrial fibrillation experiencing ischemic stroke were identified. Subsequent post-stroke events included recurrent ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, major bleeding, mortality, and composite outcomes. ResultsOf those who were nonanticoagulated before a stroke, 33.5% remained nonanticoagulated and 39.2% were prescribed only antiplatelet agents (APs) after a stroke. Compared with non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) after stroke, there was a significant increase in ischemic stroke and mortality in nonanticoagulated patients (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 2.09 and 3.92) and AP users (aHR, 1.32 and 1.28). Post-stroke warfarin was associated with a significantly increased risk of major bleeding compared with NOACs (aHR, 1.23). Of 769 patients receiving NOACs before stroke and continuing NOACs after stroke, those switching to a different NOAC were associated with significantly higher risk of ischemic stroke (aHR, 2.07) and composite outcomes (aHR, 1.36–1.85) with no difference in intracranial hemorrhage, major bleeding, or mortality compared with those receiving the same NOAC after stroke. Of patients receiving NOACs before stroke, the risks of clinical events were similar between patients taking NOACs alone and those taking NOAC plus AP after stroke. ConclusionNOAC alone after stroke was associated with a better clinical outcome compared with nonanticoagulation, AP, or warfarin. Of patients already taking NOACs before stroke, the addition of AP did not confer additional benefits compared with NOACs alone. A change of NOAC types after stroke was associated with a 2-fold higher risk of ischemic stroke and composite outcomes.

Plasma biomarkers in patients with familial cavernous malformation and their first-degree relatives.

We aimed to explore the differences in plasma biomarker levels between patients with familial cerebral cavernous malformations (FCCM) and their healthy first-degree relatives (FDRs) and between FCCM patients with and without severe chronic disease aggressiveness (CDA). Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning and genetic testing was performed in patients with multiple CCMs and their FDRs. Sixty-seven plasma biomarkers were tested using a customised multiplex bead immunoassay kit. Univariate and multivariate unconditional logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the associations between plasma factors and the risk of developing FCCM and severe CDA. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each independent risk factor. Plasma factors of 37 patients with FCCM and 37 FDRs were examined. Low CD31 (P < 0.001) and BDNF levels (P = 0.013) were independent risk factors for FCCM. The best model was achieved by combining the results of CD31 and BDNF (AUC = 0.845, sensitivity 0.838, specificity 0.784, cutoff score - 4.295) to distinguish patients with FCCM from healthy FDRs. Low serpin E1/PAI-1 (P = 0.011) and high ROBO4 levels (P = 0.013) were independent risk factors for severe CDA in patients with FCCM. The best model was achieved by combining the results of E1/PAI-1 and ROBO4 levels (AUC = 0.913, sensitivity 1.000, specificity 0.760, cutoff score - 0.525) to identify patients with FCCM and severe CDA. The plasma concentrations of CD31 and BDNF seem to be lower in patients with FCCM than in their healthy FDRs. Low serpin E1/PAI-1 and high ROBO4 concentrations may be correlated with high lesion burden and risk of recurrent bleeding.

СОВЕРШЕНСТВОВАНИЕ ТАКТИКИ ЛЕЧЕНИЯ БОЛЬНЫХ С ГАСТРОДУОДЕНАЛЬНЫМИ ЯЗВЕННЫМИ КРОВОТЕЧЕНИЯМИ

Relevance. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the clinical results of treatment of patients with gastroduodenal bleeding with active endoscopic tactics. Material and methods. We analyzed the results of treatment of 191 patients with gastroduodenal bleeding of non-variceal etiology who were treated at the State Budgetary Institution of the Republic of Dagestan Republican Clinical Hospital of Emergency Medical Care (Makhachkala) from 2017 to 2023. The age of the patients ranged from 26 to 78 years, men – 98 (51.3%) and women – 93 (48.7%). In case of acute gastroduodenal bleeding, there was a history of use of alcoholic beverages in 75 (18.3%) of the studied patients, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in 42 (22%). Upon admission and endoscopy, patients were divided into two groups with a high and low risk of gastroduodenal bleeding. Patients at low risk of bleeding were &lt;60 years of age; without low hemodynamic disturbances and hemoglobin not lower than 70 g/l. Results. The high-risk group included 56 (29.3%) patients, and the low-risk group included 135 (70.7%) patients. Both groups were dominated by men. Comorbidities (p&lt;0.01) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use (p&lt;0.01) were more frequent in the high-risk group. Gastric ulcer was the cause of bleeding in 90 (47.1%) compared with duodenal ulcer observed in 101 (52.9%). However, bleeding-related mortality in the very elderly group was greater than 8% (14.3%) vs 6% (4.4%; p=0.02). In multivariate analysis, only shock on admission was independently associated with mortality (p =0.02).With the active implementation of a multidisciplinary approach in the surgical department, out of 191 patients with profuse bleeding Forrest IA, IIB, 8 (4.2%) patients were operated on, including 4 with recurrent bleeding. Mortality after surgical treatment from 8 operated on in 2 (25%) patients. After endovascular hemostasis, out of 19 patients, mortality was found in 1 (5.3%) patients, and after combined hemostasis out of 164 – in 5 (3%) people. Conclusion. A multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of acute gastroduodenal bleeding gives positive results. The use of prophylactic and therapeutic transarterial embolization is feasible in patients with OGDC, when the risk after endoscopic hemostasis is high. For recurrent bleeding, endovascular hemostasis should be the preferred method in elderly comorbid patients for whom surgery is an undesirable treatment option.

The role of enteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of hidden gastrointestinal bleeding

Aim. Gastrointestinal occult bleeding (OGB) is defined as persistent or recurrent bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract in which the source has not been identified endoscopically. New advances in small bowel diagnostics and the ability to successfully perform endoscopic therapy have largely replaced surgical procedures and have led to a trend towards non-invasive diagnosis and endoscopic treatment of OGB. The purpose of this literature review is to study the current state of diagnosis and treatment of occult gastrointestinal bleeding.Materials and methods. An electronic literature search was carried out using databases: PubMed, Medline, Cochrane Library.Results. This literature review includes systematic reviews and meta-analyses, prospective and retrospective studies, and literature reviews.Conclusion. The introduction of new methods of imaging and endoscopy has contributed to a significant improvement in the effectiveness of methods for diagnosing and treating occult bleeding.

Optimal initial duration of low molecular weight heparin lead-in before direct oral anticoagulants for short-term outcomes of hospitalized patients with non-high-risk acute pulmonary embolism.

There are currently three strategies for the duration of LMWH lead-in before DOACs in patients with acute PE: one is at least 5 days, the other is at least 3 days, and the last one is less than 3 days. Which one is the best is yet unknown. We divided non-high-risk PE patients into short-LMWH (LMWH <3 days), intermediate-LMWH (LMWH 3-5 days), and long-LMWH (LMWH >5 days) groups, in a 1:1:2 ratio by using propensity score matching. Primary outcomes were a composite of mortality including all-cause and PE-related mortality, VTE recurrence, and major bleeding, as well as each one of them, at 3-month after PE diagnosis. The short-LMWH group (N = 504) had higher 3-month composite primary outcome (129 [25.6%] vs 67 [13.3%], P < 0.001), all-cause mortality (112 [22.2%] vs 39 [7.7%], P < 0.001), and PE-related mortality (48 [9.5%] vs 17 [3.4%], P < 0.001), than the intermediate-LMWH group (N = 504). The short-LMWH group also had higher 3-month composite primary outcome (129 [25.6%] vs 151 [15.0%], P < 0.001), all-cause mortality (112 [22.2%] vs 90 [8.9%], P < 0.001), and PE-related mortality (48 [9.5%] vs 41 [4.1%], P < 0.001) than the long-LMWH group (N = 1008). The VTE recurrence and major bleeding rates were similar between the short-LMWH and intermediate-LMWH groups, and between the short-LMWH and long-LMWH groups. The intermediate-LMWH and long-LMWH groups had similar 3-month primary outcomes rates in whole or in part with each other. For patients with non-high-risk acute PE, the optimal duration of initial LMWH lead-in before switching to DOACs could be 3 to 5 days.

Stopping anticoagulation for isolated or incidental pulmonary embolism: the STOPAPE RCT protocol.

Is withholding anticoagulation for patients with isolated or incidental subsegmental pulmonary embolism clinically and cost-effective compared with full anticoagulation for 3 months? There has been an increase in the diagnosis of subsegmental pulmonary embolism since the advent of computed tomography pulmonary angiogram to investigate patients with suspected pulmonary embolism. Subsegmental pulmonary embolism is not often detectable with older nuclear medicine-based diagnostic imaging for ventilation/perfusion mismatch. The case fatality of pulmonary embolism has reduced as subsegmental pulmonary embolism diagnoses from computed tomography pulmonary angiogram have increased. There is growing equipoise about the optimal treatment for patients with subsegmental pulmonary embolism, given that full anticoagulation has significant risks of bleeding and subsegmental pulmonary embolism was not often diagnosed previously with ventilation/perfusion scanning and therefore most likely left predominantly untreated prior to the introduction of computed tomography pulmonary angiogram scanning. Determine whether withholding anticoagulation for isolated or incidental subsegmental pulmonary embolism (i.e. subsegmental pulmonary embolism with no coexisting deep-vein thrombosis) reduces the harms of recurrent thromboembolism and major bleeding compared with 3 months of full anticoagulation at 3, 6 and 12 months. Determine the rate of complications of anticoagulation therapy (predominantly bleeding) in patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism. Determine whether not treating isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism is acceptable to clinicians and patients. Determine the reclassification rate of subsegmental pulmonary embolism diagnoses made by general reporting radiologists when reviewed by specialist respiratory radiologists and develop a set of rules to improve general radiologists' diagnoses of subsegmental pulmonary embolism. Assess cost-effectiveness of not treating patients with isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism with anticoagulation, taking a health service perspective. Prospective individually randomised open controlled trial with blinded end-point committee assessment for outcomes, powered for non-inferiority for recurrent venous thromboembolism and for superiority for bleeding events. An internal pilot phase is included for feasibility and acceptability of no anticoagulation. We planned to recruit 1466 patients from at least 50 acute hospital sites. Allowing for a dropout rate of 15%, this would have given us 90% power to detect a reduction in major and clinically relevant non-major bleeding from 7.3% in the anticoagulation arm to 3% in the intervention arm. We were powered to determine that a strategy of no anticoagulation was non-inferior to anticoagulation with an upper margin of a 2.3% increase in recurrent venous thromboembolism from an expected rate of 2% in those who receive full anticoagulation. We also planned to undertake a study comparing acute reporting radiologists' diagnoses of subsegmental pulmonary embolism from all computed tomography pulmonary angiograms with specialist respiratory radiologists. This would have allowed us to determine safety in the pilot study (i.e. patients with pulmonary embolism that was in fact larger than subsegmental would have been identified) and develop guidance for subsegmental pulmonary embolism diagnosis for general radiologists. Patients with lived experience of thrombosis contributed to all aspects of the trial design and were part of the Trial Management Group. The STOPAPE trial was stopped prematurely due to a low recruitment rate in the wake of the COVID pandemic and prioritisation of recovery of the National Institute for Health and Care Research research portfolio. There are no outcome data available for this trial. Separate NIHR Library publications will detail the linked qualitative study examining the views of patients and clinicians around withholding anticoagulation for isolated subsegmental pulmonary embolism as well as presenting all collected data of recruited patients. This article presents independent research funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health Technology Assessment programme as award number NIHR128073. A plain language summary of this research article is available on the NIHR Journals Library Website https://doi.org/10.3310/HRCW7937.

Direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension patients: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionDirect oral anticoagulants (DOACs) are increasingly prescribed for life-long anticoagulation in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) patients, despite not being recommended in the guidelines. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DOACs in CTEPH patients. MethodsFrom May 2013 to December 2022, patients who were first diagnosed with CTEPH in Fuwai Hospital and started long-term anticoagulation treatment with warfarin or DOACs were retrospectively included and followed up until (1) death, (2) transition to other kinds of anticoagulants, or (3) discontinuation of anticoagulation. Propensity score matching was used to balance confounding bias of baseline characteristics. All-cause death, major bleeding, clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding and venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence were obtained and analysed. ResultsAfter propensity score matching, 115 patients taking warfarin and 206 patients taking DOACs were included in our study and followed up for 5.5 [3.4, 7.1] years. There was no significant difference of survival between the warfarin and the DOAC group (p = 0.77). The exposure adjusted event rate of major bleeding (0.3 %/person-year vs 0.4 %/person-year, p = 0.705) and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (3.1 %/person-year vs 3.2 %/person-year, p > 0.999) was similar between two groups. The exposure adjusted rate of VTE recurrence was significantly higher in the DOAC group (1.5 %/person-year vs 0.3 %/person-year, p = 0.030). ConclusionIn anticoagulation of CTEPH patients, DOACs have similar survival rate, similar risk of bleeding but higher risk of VTE recurrence than warfarin.

Migration of the left atrial appendage closure device to the aorta.

Percutaneous closure of the left atrial appendage may be indicated in patients with contraindications to anticoagulation therapy, for example, after recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding. It is an effective and safe procedure but is not without complications. We present a patient who presented with severe aortic insufficiency due to migration of the left atrial appendage closure device, which required urgent cardiac surgery for its removal.

Direct oral anticoagulant therapy in adolescent venous thromboembolism: A systematic review.

Adolescent venous thromboembolism (VTE) has unique challenges in management, complications, and compliance to anticoagulants. Direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have been approved for pediatric VTE management, with an increasing use especially in adolescents. Primary objective is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of DOAC therapy in adolescent VTE. Secondary objectives include adverse events, bleeding events, and overall mortality. A SR protocol was registered in PROSPERO 2022 (CRD42022363928). Databases were searched from inception to September 22, 2022. Studies with children aged 10-18years, VTE diagnosis, DOAC therapy, randomized control trials (RCTs), cohort, and relevant study types were included. Studies including prophylaxis, non-DOAC therapy, arterial thrombosis, age outliers, non-relevant study types were excluded. Findings are reported in accordance to PRISMA 2020. Nine reports from five studies, published between 2016 and 2022, were included. Rivaroxaban was the most common DOAC. VTE recurrence was 0.02% in the rivaroxaban phase III trial and one patient in the dabigatran phase IIb/III trial. Complete/partial thrombus resolution (CR/PR) was 76.6% in the rivaroxaban phase III trial, and 83.9% in the dabigatran phase IIb/III trial. CR/PR was found to be 68.4% in Dhaliwal etal. study and 83.3% in Hassan etal. study. Major bleeding occurred in one patient. Headache and gastrointestinal symptoms were commonly seen. All-cause mortality occurred in a patient due to cancer progression. DOAC therapy in adolescent VTE had CR/PR in two-thirds of the patients, with low incidence of VTE recurrence and major bleeding. As there are only two randomized controlled trial (RCTs), future adolescents' studies are required to validate our results.

Efficacy of Vonoprazan vs. Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitor in Prevention of Re-Bleeding of High-Risk Peptic Ulcers: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Background: Proton pump inhibitor (PPI) therapy is well-established for its effectiveness in reducing re-bleeding in high-risk peptic ulcer patients following endoscopic hemostasis. Vonoprazan (VPZ) has demonstrated the capacity to achieve gastric pH levels exceeding 4, comparable to PPIs. This study aims to evaluate the comparative efficacy of intravenous PPI infusion versus VPZ in preventing re-bleeding after endoscopic hemostasis in patients with high-risk peptic ulcers. Methods: A randomized, double-blind, controlled, and double-dummy design was employed. Patients with peptic ulcer bleeding (Forrest class IA/IB or IIA/IIB) who underwent endoscopic hemostasis were randomly assigned to either the PPI group or the VPZ group. Re-bleeding rates at 3, 7, and 30 days, the number of blood transfusions required, length of hospitalization, and ulcer healing rate at 56 days were assessed. Results: A total of 44 eligible patients were enrolled, including 20 patients (PPI group, n = 11; VPZ group, n = 9) with high-risk peptic ulcers. The mean age was 66 years, with 70% being male. Re-bleeding within 72 h occurred in 9.1% of the PPI group versus 0% in the VPZ group (p = 1.000). There was no significant difference in re-bleeding rates within 7 days and 30 days (18.2% vs. 11.1%, p = 1.000). Additionally, the ulcer healing rate did not significantly differ between the groups (87.5% vs. 77.8%). Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrates comparable efficacy between oral vonoprazan and continuous PPI infusion in preventing recurrent bleeding events among high-risk peptic ulcer patients following successful endoscopic hemostasis.

Pseudotumour: an uncommon complication of severe haemophilia

Abstract Pseudotumours are uncommon complications of haemophilia, occurring in 1%-2% of patients with haemophilia.1,2 It is a slowly expanding haematoma as a result of recurrent haemorrhage, surrounded by a fibrous capsule. It can occur in both bone and soft tissue, and progressive enlargement may result in bone destruction and/or muscle and skin necrosis. Pseudotumours by themselves are usually painless though its mass effect can result in nerve compression resulting in pain or neurologic symptoms. It may also predispose to pathologic fractures (as in our case) and superimposed infections.2,3

Modern Contraception and Anaemia Among Reproductive-age Women in India: Results From a Household Survey.

Chronic anaemia is a significant health concern, particularly among women of childbearing age. Factors such as menstrual blood loss, childbirth, inadequate nutrition, closely spaced pregnancies, and recurrent gastrointestinal bleeding increase the risk of anaemia. This study investigated whether current contraceptive methods are associated with anaemia in Indian women of reproductive age. Cross-sectional data from the fifth round of the National Family Health Survey, conducted in 2019-2021, were used for this investigation. We included only non-pregnant and non-amenorrhoeic women in our analysis, resulting in a final analytical sample of 673 094 women aged 15-49. Bivariate cross-tabulations and multivariable logistic regression were employed to analyse the data. The prevalence of anaemia was 57%, and the adjusted regression models found no significant association between the use of any contraceptive methods and women's haemoglobin status. Women using traditional contraceptive methods had 1.08 (95% confidence interval, 1.05 to 1.11) times higher odds of having anaemia. Among the modern methods, other than injectables, all other methods-such as an intrauterine device, barrier use, and sterilisation-were associated with higher odds of anaemia compared to women who used contraceptive pills. This study explored the relationship between modern contraceptives and haemoglobin levels in India, revealing that injectables were associated with a notable reduction in the odds of anaemia, whereas traditional contraceptives and other modern methods exhibited positive associations with anaemia. These findings prompt policymakers to focus on anaemia reduction and safe contraceptives. More research is needed to inform decisions, given the scant literature.

Successful Management of a Patient with an Aneurysm of the Inferior Pancreaticoduodenal Artery Complicated by Severe Bleeding

Retroperitoneal bleeding is a rare and life-threatening condition for which early diagnosis and proper treatment are of paramount importance. Currently, there are sparse literature data on this issue that provide limited info on the management of such patients. The paper presents a case of successful management of a patient with an aneurysm of the inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery, complicated by recurrent bleeding into the retroperitoneal space with severe blood loss.