Hematology Times
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Thrombosis and Hemostasis‘Preferred’ catheters can increase risk of DVT
Patient receiving chemotherapy
through a catheter Credit: Rhoda Baer Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) can significantly increase a patient’s risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT), according to a study published in The Lancet. Compared to other central venous catheters (CVCs), the use of PICCs more than doubled the risk of DVT among patients studied. And PICC-related DVTs were most common among cancer patients and those in intensive care. In recent years, PICCs have become the preferred device through which to administer . . . [Read Article] Method effectively delivers plasmin to blood clots
Blood clot
Credit: Kevin MacKenzie By making use of a novel delivery method, researchers found they could successfully introduce plasmin in models of stroke-causing blood clots. And the plasmin dissolved those clots with greater efficacy than recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA), the current standard of care for acute ischemic stroke. The novel delivery method is necessary because plasmin cannot be administered intravenously, said investigator George “Chip” Shaw III, MD, PhD, of the University of Cincinnati in Ohio. [Read Article] Anticoagulation model can impact patient satisfaction
Patient consulting pharmacist
Credit: Rhoda Baer An inpatient pharmacist-directed anticoagulation service (PDAS) can improve patient satisfaction and potentially boost Medicare reimbursement, according to a report in the Annals of Pharmacotherapy. Researchers surveyed 689 patients who received anticoagulant therapy at Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Michigan. The results suggested that patients felt more informed about their therapy and more satisfied with their care when the PDAS model was in place. [Read Article] Trial supports continuous warfarin administration
Heart surgery
Credit: University of Ottawa Heart Institute Results of a new study suggest that continuous administration of warfarin is safe for patients undergoing cardiac device surgery and, in fact, markedly reduces bleeding compared to the current standard of care. In this trial, called Bruise Control, patients who underwent surgery without interrupting warfarin were 80% less likely to develop a clinically significant hematoma than patients who were bridged with heparin. These findings were recently presented at Heart Rhythm 2013 and published in NEJM. [Read Article] Enzyme may be target for DVT therapy
Chromatin (blue) and histones
(pink) modified by Pad4 Credit: Wang lab A gene associated with protection against bacterial infection and excessive blood clotting could offer new insights into treatment strategies for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The gene produces an enzyme that, if inhibited via drug therapy, could offer hope to patients prone to DVT. Yanming Wang, PhD, of Penn State University, and his colleagues uncovered these findings and reported them in PNAS. In earlier studies, Dr Wang’s team found that a gene in mice called . . . [Read Article] |
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