Shao Yao Decoction exerts a protective effect on ulcerative colitis by inhibiting inflammation mediated by hypercoagulability

Background:Shaoyao decoction(SYD)has been found widespread clinical use in treating ulcerative colitis(UC).However,the mechanism underlying SYD impact on UC remains elusive.Materials and methods:We preliminarily evaluated the therapeutic effect of SYD intervention in a dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC mouse model by analyzing the body weight change,disease activity index score,colon length,and HE staining results of colon tissue in each group of mice.Subsequently,we determined pro-inflammatory cytokines level and blood coagulation markers in the colon tissues of mice in each group to evaluate the effect of SYD intervention on colonic inflammatory response and coagulation function in UC mice.Results:Our findings emphasize the significant therapeutic effect of SYD on UC,including slowed down body weight loss,reduced disease activity index score,increased colon length,and reduced inflammatory infiltration in colon tissue.Moreover,SYD intervention significantly downregulated the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and IL-17A in the colon.Furthermore,SYD intervention reversed the coagulation-related indicators such as prothrombin time,fibrinogen,P-selectin,D-dimer,and platelet glycomembrane protein IIb/IIIa.Conclusion:Our results elucidate the substantial therapeutic impact of SYD on UC mice.Importantly,the therapeutic mechanism of SYD in addressing UC potentially involves the inhibiting of inflammatory response mediated by hypercoagulability.

Ruptured Splenic Artery Aneurysm (SAA) in an Elderly Patient with Hypercoagulability: A Very Vague Presentation

Here, we discuss a 78-year-old woman with symptoms of shortness of breath and intermittent productive cough, which worsened over time. She had a history of Factor V Leiden and unprovoked pulmonary embolism (PE) and was on lifelong warfarin. The patient was found to have a widened mediastinum and a small left-sided pleural effusion on chest X-ray, leading to CT aortogram to assess for aortic pathology. While in the CT scanner, she experienced an acute deterioration and went into shock. The initial diagnosis was anaphylactic reaction to the contrast agent, but the CT images revealed an active bleeding in the left upper quadrant, possibly of splenic origin. The patient was stabilized with aggressive resuscitation measures and transferred to a referral hospital for urgent surgery. The surgery revealed a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm (SAA), and the patient was taken to the intensive care unit (ICU) for further management. However, she developed a large infarct in the left occipital lobe and passed away after six days. The case highlights the significance of recognizing the symptoms and signs of SAA and then taking a multidisciplinary approach in managing SAA patients, particularly those with hypercoagulability (Graphic 1).

Hyperhomocysteinemia and hypercoagulability in primary biliary cirrhosis

AIM： To assess the hypercoagulability in PBC and its relationship with homocysteine （HCY） and various components of the haemostatic system. METHODS： We investigated 51 PBC patients （43F/8M; mean age： 63±13.9 yr） and 102 healthy subjects （86 women/16 men, 63±13 yr）, and evaluated the haemostatic process in whole blood by the Sonoclot analysis and the platelet function by PFA-100 device. We then measured HCY （fasting and after methionine loading）, tissue factor （TF）, thrombin-antithrombin complexes （TAT）, D-dimer （D-D）, thrombomodulin （TH）, folic acid, vitamin B6 and B12 plasma levels. C677T 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase （HTHFR） polymorphism was analyzed. RESULTS： Sonoclot RATE values of patients were significantly （P〈 0.001） higher than those of controls. Sonoclot time to peak values and PFA-100 closure times were comparable in patients and controls. TAT, TF and HCY levels, both in the fasting and post-methionine loading, were significantly （P〈0.001） higher in patients than in controls. Vitamin deficiencies were detected in 45/51 patients （88.2%）. The prevalence of the homozygous TT677 MTHFR genotype was significantly higher in patients （31.4%） than in controls （17.5%） （P〈 0.05）. Sonodot RATE values correlated significantly with HCY levels and TF.CONCLUSION： In PBC, hyper-HCY is related to hypovitaminosis and genetic predisposing factors. Increased TF and HCY levels and signs of endothelial activation areassociated with hypercoagulability and may have an important role in blood clotting activation.

Hypercoagulability in Liver Transplant Recipients: Does Portal Vein Thrombosis Predict Post-Operative Thrombotic Complications?

Background: Cirrhotic patients have higher rates of hypercoagulable disorders. We hypothesized that orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) recipients with pre-operative portal vein thrombosis (PVT) have more post-operative thrombotic events than those without PVT. Aims: To compare rates of post-op thrombotic events and outcomes between those with and without pre-op PVT. Methods: All OLT recipients between 1/02-4/09 were retrospectively reviewed. Outcome measures included survival, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, hepatic artery thrombosis, and recurrent PVT. Minimum follow up was 6 months. Results: In 363 OLTs performed, mean recipient age was 53.1 yrs (±9.2);268 patients were male. Mean MELD at transplant was 22.1 (±6.2). The prevalence of pre-op PVT was 11.2% (41/350). There was no difference in the % of post-op thrombotic events between those with and without PVT (p = 0.77). MELD, recipient and donor age, and gender were similar in both groups. Mean survival in those with pre-op PVT was 85.2 months vs. 78.7 in those without PVT (p = 0.19). Conclusions: The rate of post-op thrombotic events was equivalent in OLT recipients with and without pre-op PVT. The presence of PVT did not adversely impact patient survival and should not be a contraindication to OLT.

Hypercoagulability in the Context of Pre-Eclampsia: Case-Control Study at the Laquintinie Douala Hospital (Cameroon)

Introduction: Preeclampsia is one of the major causes of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in the world. The complexity of its etio-pathogenesis involves, among other things, hypercoagulability, which alone accounts for about 15% of his deaths. Our objective was to study the parameters of coagulation (prothrombin level, activated cephalin time) in pregnant women with preeclampsia and non-preeclampsia at Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. Methodology: We carried out an analytical cross-sectional case-control study from November 01st, 2018 to May 31st, 2019, in the gynecology and obstetrics department of Laquintinie Hospital in Douala. We included preeclampsia and non-preeclampsia pregnant women with a gestational age greater than or equal to 20 weeks amenorrhea. The variables of interest were age, pregnancy, parity, gestational age, marital status and body mass index, prothrombin level (PL) and activated cephalin time (ACT). Hypercoagulability was defined by the presence of at least one of the following abnormalities: PL > 100%, ACT < 25 seconds. Statistical tests were considered significant for a p-value < 0.05. Results: We recruited 150 pregnant women including 50 preeclampsia matched with 100 non-preeclampsia. The majority age group in both groups was 25 - 30 years (32% versus 37%). We found a high PL in 58% of preeclampsia versus 22% of non-preeclampsia patients (p = <0.001), a low PL in 8% of preeclampsia versus 0% in non-preeclampsia patients (p = 0.004). The ACT was prolonged in 12% of the preeclampsia versus 0% in the non-preeclampsia patients (p = <0.001). Pregnant women with preeclampsia were 4.89 times more likely to develop hypercoagulability than pregnant women without preeclampsia (OR 4.89;CI 2.34 - 10.20;p = <0.001). In linear regression, preeclampsia was significantly associated with PL (correlation coefficient 0.07;p = 0.008). We did not find risk factors associated with hypercoagulability in preeclampsia. Conclusion: Our study confirms the existence of hypercoagulability associated with preeclampsia, in particular in relation to an increase in the level of prothrombin.

Inflammatory bowel disease:Epidemiology,pathology and risk factors for hypercoagulability

Hypercoagulability observed in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) may lead to thromboembolic events (TE), which affect the venous and arterial systems alike and are an important factor in patients&#x02019; morbidity and mortality. The risk of TE in IBD patients has been demonstrated to be approximately three-fold higher as compared to the general population. The pathogenesis of thrombosis in IBD patients is multifactorial and not fully explained. The most commonly listed factors include genetic and immune abnormalities, disequilibrium between procoagulant and anticoagulant factors, although recently, the role of endothelial damage as an IBD-triggering factor is underlined. Several studies report that the levels of some coagulation enzymes, including fibrinogen, factors V, VII, VIII, active factor XI, tissue factor, prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and the thrombin-antithrombin complex, are altered in IBD patients. It has been demonstrated that there is a significant decrease of tissue plasminogen activator level, a marked increase of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 and thrombin-activable fibrinolysis inhibitor, a significantly lower level of antithrombin III and tissue factor pathway inhibitor. IBD patients have been also observed to produce an increased amount of various anticoagulant antibodies. Hyperhomocysteinemia, which is a potential risk factor for TE was also observed in some IBD patients. Further studies are necessary to assess the role of coagulation abnormalities in IBD etiology and to determine indications for thromboprophylactic treatment in patients at high risk of developing TE.

A Correlation Analysis of Postoperative Hypercoagulability and Peripheral Circulating Tumor Cells in Patients with Lung Cancer

Objective:To explore the correlation between peripheral circulating tumor cells and hypercoagulability in patients with lung cancer after surgery.Methods:From January 2017 to December 2021,89 patients with lung cancer who were treated in the Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University were selected as the research subjects,and a retrospective analysis was conducted to analyze and observe the D-dimer(DD),fibrinogen(FIB),and platelet(PLT)levels in peripheral blood,as well as detect peripheral CTC.Results:There were statistical differences in TMN staging,tumor metastasis,and lymph node metastasis in the clinical data,but there were no statistical differences in gender,smoking history,and pathological classification.After retrospective analysis and comparison of the patients,the DD(mg/ml),FIB(g/L),and PLT(×10^(9)/L)levels of the CTC positive group were 3.41±0.58,3.98±0.87,and 367.26±34.98,respectively;the CTC negative group’s DD(mg/ml),FIB(g/L),and PLT(×10^(9)/L)levels were 0.89±0.49,1.06±0.45,and 234.69±35.69,respectively,and the differences were statistically significant.The factors affecting the prognosis of patients included TMN staging and CTC;the number of CTC positives in the death group was significantly higher than that in the survival group,and there was a statistical difference between the groups.Gender,age,smoking history,pathological type,and surgical resection had no effect on the prognosis of patients.Among the enrolled patients,the survival rate was 71.91%.Conclusion:CTC-positive patients have a higher probability of hypercoagulability after surgery and are prone to tumor metastasis;thus,CTC can be used as a judgment index for the prognosis of patients.

Ultrasound blood flow characteristics changes in fetal umbilical artery thrombosis:A retrospective analysis

BACKGROUND Umbilical artery thrombosis(UAT)is extremely uncommon and leads to adverse perinatal outcomes.Hypercoagulation of blood in pregnant women is suspected to be an important risk for UAT.Ultrasound is an effective way to detect thrombosis.The mother can monitor her own fetal health using ultrasound,which enables her to take preventative action in case of emergency.AIM To investigate ultrasonic blood signal after UAT in the umbilical artery,and evaluate the relationship between hypercoagulability and UAT.METHODS We described a case of a newly formed UAT with markedly altered ultrasonic indices of umbilical artery blood flow,and retrospectively studied it with 18 UAT patients confirmed by histopathology from October 2019 and March 2023 in Xiamen Women and Children's Hospital.Patients’information was collected from medical archives,including maternal clinical data,neonatal outcomes,pathological findings and ultrasonic indices of umbilical artery blood flow,such as systolic-diastolic duration ratio(S/D),resistance index(RI),pulsatility index(PI)and peak systolic velocity(PSV).Ultrasound and coagulation indices were analyzed with matched samples t-test and Wilcoxon rank sum test using the statistical packages in R(version 4.2.1)including car(version 3.1-0)and stats(version 4.2.1),and visualized by ggplot2 package(version 3.3.6).RESULTS A patient with normal findings in second and third-trimester routine ultrasound scan developed UAT with severe changes in ultrasonic indices of umbilical artery blood flow(within 2.5th of reference ranges)in a short period of time.Statistical analysis of umbilical artery blood flow ultrasound indices for 19 patients with UAT showed that the decrease in S/D,RI,and PI and increase of PSV during the disease process was greater than that of non-UAT.All 18 patients delivered in our hospital showed characteristic manifestations of UAT on histological examination after delivery,most of which(16/18)showed umbilical cord abnormalities,with 15 umbilical cord torsion and 1 pseudoknot.Coagulation parameters were not significantly changed in UAT patients compared with normal pregnancy women.CONCLUSION Significant changes in ultrasound indicators after UAT were demonstrated.PSV can play important roles in the diagnosis of UAT.Hypercoagulability alone is not sufficient for the occurrence of UAT.

平肝滋肾方治疗高血压视网膜病变临床研究

目的:探讨平肝滋肾方治疗高血压视网膜病变的疗效,及对心肾微循环、血管内皮的影响。方法:用随机数字表法将260例高血压视网膜病变患者分为观察组和对照组各130例。对照组采用常规对症治疗,观察组在此基础上服用平肝滋肾方。两组患者均连续治疗3个月,疗程结束后对比疗效。比较两组患者治疗前后中医证候积分、心功能指标、肾功能指标、组织因子(TF)、组织因子途径抑制物(TFPI)、载脂蛋白M(ApoM)、脂蛋白磷脂酶A2(Lp-PLA2)表达水平。结果:治疗后两组各项症状评分及中医证候积分总分均降低(P<0.05),且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05);观察组总有效率95.38%,对照组88.46%,观察组疗效优于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后两组心功能均改善(P<0.05),且观察组左心室射血分数高于对照组、左心室质量指数低于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后两组肾功能指标均改善(P<0.05),且观察组较对照组改善更明显(P<0.05);治疗后两组TF、Lp-PLA2均降低(P<0.05),且观察组低于对照组(P<0.05),两组ApoM水平均升高,且观察组高于对照组(P<0.05);治疗后两组TFPI水平比较,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论:平肝滋肾方治疗高血压视网膜病变疗效明确,能够改善心肾微循环,减轻血管内皮损伤。

Portal vein thrombosis in cirrhosis: Why a well-known complication is still matter of debate

Portal vein thrombosis(PVT)represents a well-known complication during the natural course of liver cirrhosis(LC),ranging from asymptomatic cases to lifethreating conditions related to portal hypertension and hepatic decompensation.Portal flow stasis,complex acquired hypercoagulable disorders and exogenous factors leading to endothelial dysfunction have emerged as key factors for PVT development.However,PVT occurrence remains unpredictable and many issues regarding its natural history,prognostic significance and treatment are still elusive.In particular although spontaneous resolution or disease stability occur in most cases of PVT,factors predisposing to disease progression or recurrence after spontaneous recanalization are not clarified as yet.Moreover,PVT impact on LC outcome is still debated,as PVT may represent itself a consequence of liver fibrosis and hepatic dysfunction progression.Anticoagulation and transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt are considered safe and effective in this setting and are recommended in selected cases,even if the safer therapeutic option and the optimal therapy duration are still unknown.Nevertheless,their impact on mortality rates should be addressed more extensively.In this review we present the most debated questions regarding PVT,whose answers should come from prospective cohort studies and large sample-size randomized trials.

Inflammatory bowel disease and thromboembolism

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have an increased risk of vascular complications. Thromboembolic complications, both venous and arterial, are serious extraintestinal manifestations complicating the course of IBD and can lead to significant morbidity and mortality. Patients with IBD are more prone to thromboembolic complications and IBD per se is a risk factor for thromboembolic disease. Data suggest that thrombosis is a specific feature of IBD that can be involved in both the occurrence of thromboembolic events and the pathogenesis of the disease. The exact etiology for this special association between IBD and thromboembolism is as yet unknown, but it is thought that multiple acquired and inherited factors are interacting and producing the increased tendency for thrombosis in the local intestinal microvasculature, as well as in the systemic circulation. Clinicians&#x02019; awareness of the risks, and their ability to promptly diagnose and manage tromboembolic complications are of vital importance. In this review we discuss how thromboembolic disease is related to IBD, specifically focusing on: (1) the epidemiology and clinical features of thromboembolic complications in IBD; (2) the pathophysiology of thrombosis in IBD; and (3) strategies for the prevention and management of thromboembolic complications in IBD patients.

Variations and Clinical Significance of Coagulation and Fibrinolysis Parameters in Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

We observed the changes of parameters of coagulation and fibrinolytic system in order to understand the clinical implication of these variations in type Ⅱ diabetic patients. Subjects consisted of 22 patients with type Ⅱ diabetes mellitus and 25 healthy controls. Compared with the control, activated partial thrombo-plastin time, prothrombin time were shortened in the patients. The diabetic subjects also displayed higher levels of D-dimer, serum fibrin degradation products, median concentrations of fibrinogen (3. 99 vs 2. 96 g/L, P<0. 01) and von Wille-brand factor (149 % vs 87 %, P<0. 01). Levels of anfithrombin Ⅲ activity or antigen were not different from control values. Simple linear regression analysis revealed a negative correlation between antithrombin Ⅲ activity and fast blood glucose. Diabetic patients with vascular complications had significantly higher levels of fibrinogen and D-dimer than those without diabetic angiopathy. Our data demonstrated that patients with type Ⅱ diabetes mellitus had a hypercoagulable state. We believed the activation of coagulation might contribute to the vascular complications in diabetics.

Anticoagulation in simultaneous pancreas kidney transplantation - On what basis?

BACKGROUND Despite technical refinements,early pancreas graft loss due to thrombosis continues to occur.Conventional coagulation tests(CCT)do not detect hypercoagulability and hence the hypercoagulable state due to diabetes is left untreated.Thromboelastogram(TEG)is an in-vitro diagnostic test which is used in liver transplantation,and in various intensive care settings to guide anticoagulation.TEG is better than CCT because it is dynamic and provides a global hemostatic profile including fibrinolysis.AIM To compare the outcomes between TEG and CCT(prothrombin time,activated partial thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio)directed anticoagulation in simultaneous pancreas and kidney(SPK)transplant recipients.METHODS A single center retrospective analysis comparing the outcomes between TEG and CCT-directed anticoagulation in SPK recipients,who were matched for donor age and graft type(donors after brainstem death and donors after circulatory death).Anticoagulation consisted of intravenous(IV)heparin titrated up to a maximum of 500 IU/h based on CCT in conjunction with various clinical parameters or directed by TEG results.Graft loss due to thrombosis,anticoagulation related bleeding,radiological incidence of partial thrombi in the pancreas graft,thrombus resolution rate after anticoagulation dose escalation,length of the hospital stays and,1-year pancreas and kidney graft survival between the two groups were compared.RESULTS Seventeen patients who received TEG-directed anticoagulation were compared against 51 contemporaneous SPK recipients(ratio of 1:3)who were anticoagulated based on CCT.No graft losses occurred in the TEG group,whereas 11 grafts(7 pancreases and 4 kidneys)were lost due to thrombosis in the CCT group(P=0.06,Fisher’s exact test).The overall incidence of anticoagulation related bleeding(hematoma/gastrointestinal bleeding/hematuria/nose bleeding/re-exploration for bleeding/post-operative blood transfusion)was 17.65%in the TEG group and 45.10%in the CCT group(P=0.05,Fisher’s exact test).The incidence of radiologically confirmed partial thrombus in pancreas allograft was 41.18%in the TEG and 25.50%in the CCT group(P=0.23,Fisher’s exact test).All recipients with partial thrombi detected in computed tomography(CT)scan had an anticoagulation dose escalation.The thrombus resolution rates in subsequent scan were 85.71%and 63.64%in the TEG group vs the CCT group(P=0.59,Fisher’s exact test).The TEG group had reduced blood product usage{10 packed red blood cell(PRBC)and 2 fresh frozen plasma(FFP)}compared to the CCT group(71 PRBC/10 FFP/2 cryoprecipitate and 2 platelets).The proportion of patients requiring transfusion in the TEG group was 17.65%vs 39.25%in the CCT group(P=0.14,Fisher’s exact test).The median length of hospital stay was 18 days in the TEG group vs 31 days in the CCT group(P=0.03,Mann Whitney test).The 1-year pancreas graft survival was 100%in the TEG group vs 82.35%in the CCT group(P=0.07,log rank test)and,the 1-year kidney graft survival was 100%in the TEG group vs 92.15%in the CCT group(P=0.23,log tank test).CONCLUSION TEG is a promising tool in guiding judicious use of anticoagulation with concomitant prevention of graft loss due to thrombosis,and reduces the length of hospital stay.

Thromboelastography in elective total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND Hypercoagulability plays an important role in predisposing patients to venous thromboembolism(VTE)after total hip arthroplasty(THA).We used thromboelastography(TEG)to examine the coagulation status of patients undergoing THA.AIM To examine coagulation as measured by TEG in patients undergoing THA who received standard VTE chemoprophylaxis with enoxaparin.METHODS After ethical approval,we performed a retrospective analysis of data collected in patients undergoing primary elective THA.We analyzed TEG data on samples performed before skin incision,intraoperatively and for 5 d postoperatively.Conventional coagulation tests were performed preoperatively and on postoperative day 5.RESULTS Twenty patients undergoing general anesthesia and 32 patients undergoing spinal anesthesia(SA)were included.TEG demonstrated a progressively hypercoagulable state postoperatively,characterized by elevated maximum amplitude.TEG also demonstrated transient intraoperative hypercoagulability in patients receiving SA.In contrast,conventional coagulation tests were normal in all patients,pre-and postoperatively,except for an increase in plasma fibrinogen day 5 postoperatively.CONCLUSION Despite VTE prophylaxis,patients following total hip replacement remain in a hypercoagulable state as measured by both TEG and conventional tests.This group may benefit from more optimal anticoagulation and/or additional perioperative hemostatic monitoring,via TEG or otherwise.

INSTRUCTIONS TO AUTHORS

Live liver donor transplantation to adult recipients is becoming a common practice,increasing the organ pool and providing an alternative to whole cadaveric liver transplantation.These patients are healthy adults without serious medical conditions and typically have normal coagulation profiles preoperatively.Right hepatic lobectomy is usually performed for adult recipients,while left hepatic lobectomy is performed for pediatric recipients.Removal of the whole right lobe from the donors may expose theses patients to multiple intraoperative and postoperative complications.Hypercoagulability has been identified as a serious complication which leads to thromboembolic phenomena with potential fatal consequences.The primary aim of this review is to look at possible changes in post-operative coagulation dynamics that may increase the risk for development of thromboembolic complications in live liver donors.In this article,we stress the importance of addressing the issue that conventional clotting tests(PT,INR,PTT)are unable to detect a hypercoagulable state,and therefore,we should examining alternative laboratory tests to improve diagnosis and early detection of thrombotic complications.Measurement of natural anticoagulant/procoagulant biomarkers combined with conventional coagulation studies and thromboelastography offers a more accurate assessment of coagulation disorders.This allows earlier diagnosis,permitting appropriate intervention sooner,hence avoiding potential morbidity and mortality.Biomarkers that may be evaluated include,but are not limited to:protein C,soluble P-selectin,antithrombinⅢ,thrombin-antithrombin complex,and thrombin generation complex.

Administration of granulocyte colony stimulating factor after liver transplantation leads to an increased incidence and severity of ischemic biliary lesions in the rat model

AIM： Recently it has been reported that granulocyte colony stimulating factor （G-CSF） can induce hypercoagulability in healthy bone marrow donors. It is conceivable that the induction of a prothrombotic state in a recipient of an organ graft with already impaired perfusion might cause further deterioration in the transplanted organ. This study evaluated whether G-CSF treatment worsens liver perfusion following liver transplantation in the rat model. METHODS： A non-arterialized rat liver transplantation model was employed to evaluate the effect of G-CSF treatment on the liver in a syngeneic and allogeneic strain combination. Study outcomes included survival time and liver damage as investigated by liver enzymes and liver histology. Observation times were 1 d, 1 wk and 12 wk. RESULTS： Rats treated with G-CSF had increased incidence and severity of biliary damage following liver transplantation. In these animals, hepatocellular necrosis was accentuated in the centrilobular region. These lesions are indicative of impaired perfusion in G-CSF treated animals. CONCLUSION： G-CSF should be used with caution in recipients of liver transplantation, as treatment might enhance preexisting, undetected perfusion problems and ultimately lead to ischemia induced biliary complications .

Impact of clopidogrel treatment on platelet function and thrombogenecity in diabetic patients undergoing elective coronary stenting

High platelet reactivity (HPR) and suboptimal response to dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) may explain high recurrent rates of ischemic events in Type II diabetes mellitus (DM) patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of clopidogrel on platelet reactivity, and thrombogenecity between DM and non-DM PCI-treated patients (n = 138). Patients were categorized according to clopidogrel treatment and DM status. Patients received a maintenance-dose clopidogrel of 75 mg/d (C75 group, n = 72) or a 600 mg clopidogrel loading-dose in clopidogrel na?ve patients (C600 group, n = 66). Platelet function was assessed by thrombelastography, flow cytometry, VerifyNowTM aspirin assay and light transmittance aggregometry (LTA). Aspirin response was similar between treatments and DM status. In the C75 group, DM patients had higher 5 and 20 μM ADP-, 2 μg/ml collagen-induced LTA;and p-selectin expression compared to non-DM patients (p ≤ 0.05 for all). DM patients in the C600 group had higher 5 and 20 μM ADP-induced LTA post dosing (p p 12 receptor antagonists.

A case of portal vein thrombosis associated with acute cholecystitis/pancreatitis or coincidence

BACKGROUND: Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is complex and risk factors include local precipitating factors and acquired and inherited factors. It occurs secondary to abdominal malignancy, infection or surgical intervention. PVT is commonly forgotten as a possible cause of abdominal pain. The clinical picture may vary but abdominal pain and low grade fever are the most characteristic picture. METHODS: A 58-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital complaining of abdominal pain for three days. CT scan revealed an edematous area around the portal vein. Doppler ultrasonography showed evidence of a portal vein thrombosis. RESULTS: PVT can be diagnosed with CT and Doppler ultrasonography. Fresh thrombus can be undetected by sonography because of the low echogenity but can be recognised by color Doppler ultrasonography. Treatment ranges from observation and bowel rest to surgical resection of bowel. CONCLUSIONS: When we suspect a case of PVT, it should be treated at an early stage to prevent being lost in a diagnostic dilemma. The immediate use of anticoagulant could be important in preventing serious consequences of PVT.

Detection of the Level of Urinary FPA in Chronic Nephritis with Renal Failure and Its Clinical Implication

The level of urinary FPA was assayed by high per formance liquid chromatography (HPLC ) in 42 normal controls, 57 cases of chronic glomeru-lonephritis, including 24 with normal renal function, 12 with renal insufficiency and 21 with uremia. Their levels were 24. 40± 10. 30 μg/L, 26. 99±5.77 μg/L,38. 81±6. 28 μg/L, 79. 74± 18. 76 μg/L, respectively. The level of urinary FPA in renal insufficiency function group was significantly higher than those of the con-trol group and normal renal function group (P<0.01). The patients with uremia presented dramatically higher level of urinary FPA than those in the renal insufficiency group (P<0.01). A positive correlation was found between the level of urinary FPA and the blood creatine (r= 0. 9120, P<0. 01 ). It was suggested that a hypercoagulable state existed in the patients with chronic nephritis with renal failure, in which the severity was closely related with the occurrence and development of the disease. The urinary FPA could serve as a good indicator for renal function.

possible role of soluble fibrin monomer complex after gastroenterological surgery

AIM To examine the role of soluble fibrin monomer complex(SFMC) in the prediction of hypercoagulable state after gastroenterological surgery.METHODS We collected data on the clinical risk factors and fibrin-related makers from patients who underwent gastroenterological surgery at Hiroshima University Hospital between April 1, 2014 and March 31, 2015. We investigated the clinical significance of SFMC, which is known to reflect the early plasmatic activation of coagulation, in the view of these fibrin related markers.RESULTS A total of 123 patients were included in the present study. There were no patients with symptomatic VTE. Thirty-five(28%) patients received postoperative anticoagulant therapy. In the multivariate analysis, a high SFMC level on POD 1 was independently associated with D-dimer elevation on POD 7(OR = 4.31, 95%CI: 1.10-18.30, P = 0.03). The cutoff SFMC level was 3.8 μg/ml(AUC = 0.78, sensitivity, 63%, specificity, 89%). The D-dimer level on POD 7 was significantly reduced in high-SFMC patients who received anticoagulant therapy in comparison to highSFMC patients who did not.CONCLUSION The SFMC on POD 1 strongly predicted the hypercoagulable state after gastroenterological surgery than the clinical risk factors and the other fibrin related markers.