Correlation between Serum Malondialdehyde and sVCAM-1 in Pediatric Thalassemic Patients with Hypercoagulation

Introduction: Repeated blood transfusions with increased intestinal iron absorption in thalassemia causes iron overload, catalyzed production of various reactive oxygen species subsequently trigger oxidative stress. Endothelial as the first organ exposed to reactive oxygen species would suffer a marked increase in adhesion molecule due to endothelial dysfunction that will trigger a hypercoagulation. Objective: To investigate the correlation between oxidative stress status (malondialdehyde, MDA) and endothelial dysfunction (serum Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1, sVCAM) in iron overload pediatric thalassemic patients with hypercoagulation. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on thalassemic subjects with inclusion criteria: aged 5 - 14 years with iron overload who had hypercoagulation based on TEG (Throm-boelastography) examination. The determination of thalassemia degree was based on a Novel scoring system. The correlation between serum MDA and sVCAM-1 was analyzed using Rank Spearman, with a significance value of 5% and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Nineteen male and twelve female children were included in the study. All subjects had pretransfusion Hb p = 0.02, r = 0.416). The results also showed that there was a significant difference between serum MDA and thalassemia degree (p = 0.029, p = 0.026). Conclusions: Serum MDA level as stress oxidative status marker has moderately positive correlation with sVCAM-1 as endothelial dysfunction marker in iron overloaded pediatric thalassemic patients with hypercoagulation.

Rotation Thromboelastography for Assessment of Hypercoagulation and Thrombosis in Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases

Hypercoagulation is not detected in clinical practice with routinely performed blood coagulation tests. More advanced laboratory analyses to detect or monitor hypercoagulation have not yet been introduced into routine clinical management. Thromboelastography assesses the influence of plasma factors and platelets during all phases of haemostasis, thus permits evaluation of hypo- and hyper- coagulation status. This prospective study included assessment of 35 patients with thrombotic complications （II-nd group）, compared with 34 healthy controls （I-st group）. Haemostasis was analyzed with routine clotting tests： protrombin time （PT）, activated partial thromboplastin time （APTT）, fibrinogen, platelets and rotation thromboelastography （ROTEM~） with measuring time to 20 min. All data are presented as mean and standard deviation （SD）. Statistical comparisons of samples were performed by student＇s t-test. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the parameters was calculated by using the receiver operator characteristic （ROC） curves for two groups. There was significant difference （P 〈 0.05） observed in the parameters of ROTEM： clot formation time （CFT）, a-angle, maximum clot firmness （MCF） and thrombodynamic potential index （TPI） in the patient＇s population compared to the healthy controls. No significant difference was observed in CT （ROTEM） and routine coagulation tests when the two groups were compared. Rotation thromboelastography analysis demonstrated to be a reliable method for diagnosis of hypercoagulable state.

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.

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).

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’ 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 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.

Relationship and significance between anti-b2-glycoproteinⅠantibodies and platelet activation state in patients with ulcerative colitis

AIM： To study the relationship between anti-β2- glycoprotein Ⅰ （aβ2GPⅠ） antibodies and platelet activation state in patients with ulcerative colitis （UC） and its significance. METHODS： Peripheral blood samples were collected from 56 UC patients （34 males and 22 females, aged 43.5 years, range 21-66 years）, including 36 at active stage and 20 at remission stage, and 25 sex-and age-matched controls. The level of aβ2GP Ⅰ was measured by ELISA. The platelet activation markers, platelet activation complex- Ⅰ （PAC- Ⅰ ） and P-selectin （CD62P） were detected by flow cytometry. RESULTS： The A value for IgG aβ2GP Ⅰ in the active UC group was 0.61 ± 0.13, significantly higher than that in the remittent UC and control groups （0.50 ± 0.13 and 0.22 ± 0.14, P 〈 0.01）. There was a significant difference between the two groups （P 〈 0.01）. The A value for IgM aβ2GP Ⅰ in the active and remittent UC groups was 0.43 ± 0.13 and 0.38 ± 0.12, significantly higher than that in the control group （0.20 ± 0.12, P 〈 0.01）. However, there was no significant difference between the two groups （P 〉 0.05）. The PAC- Ⅰ positive rate for the active and remittent UC groups was 30.6% ± 7.6% and 19.6% ± 7.8% respectively, significantly higher than that for the control group （6.3% ± 1.7%,P 〈 0.01）. There was a significant difference between the two groups （P 〈 0.01）. The CD62P positive rate for the active and remittent UC groups was 45.0% ± 8.8% and 31.9% ± 7.8% respectively, significantly higher than that for the control group （9.2% ± 2.7%, P 〈 0.01）. There was a significant difference between the two groups （P 〈 0.01）. In the active UC group, the more severe the state of illness was, the higher the A value for IgG aβ2GP Ⅰ was, and the positive rate for PAC-Ⅰ and CD62P was positively correlated with the state of illness （Faβ2GP Ⅰ = 3.679, P 〈 0.05; FPAC-Ⅰ （%） = 5.346, P 〈 0.01; and FCD62P （%） = 5. 418, P 〈 0.01）. Meanwhile, in the same state of illness, the A value for IgG aβ2GP Ⅰ was positively correlated to the positive rates for PAC-Ⅰ and CD62P. CONCLUSION： aβ2GP Ⅰ level, platelet activation state and their relationship of them are closely correlated with the pathogenesis and development of UC.

Diagnostic dilemma of coagulation problems in an HIV-positive patient with end-stage liver disease undergoing liver transplantation

Human immunodeficiency virus(HIV) may result in devastating multi-organ complications, including cirrhosis. Consequently, liver transplantation is often required for these patients. We report a case of a 43-year-old female with cryptogenic cirrhosis and HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy, presenting for non-related living donor liver transplantation. The intraoperative course was complicated by hepatic artery and portal vein thrombosis, requiring thrombectomy. On postoperative day-3, the patient required retransplantation with a cadaveric donor organ due to primary graft failure.

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.

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.

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.

Internal carotid thrombus in patients with inflammatory bowel disease:Two cases

Increased ischemic stroke risk is observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD).Causes and physiopathological aspects of cerebral infarct,in this specific population,are less often described.There is little information to provide guidelines for the best curative and preventive treatment.We report 2 cases of ischemic strokes due to internal carotid thrombus in patients during active phase of IBD.Ulceration of early atherosclerotic plaques activated by a hypercoagulation state may cause a thrombus.A combined therapy with heparin and corticosteroids was used for both our patients.Lysis of the thrombus was obtained after several days without surgical treatment and shown by ultrasonography.These cases highlight an aetiology of stroke in patients with IBD and use of a synergic treatment to respond to hypercoagulability in link with IBD. Benefits and safety of this therapy should be confirmed with clinical studies.

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.

Ellagic Acid-induced Hypercoagulable State in Animals:a Potentially Useful Animal Hypercoagulable Model for Evaluation of Anticoagulants

Objective To establish and evaluate a hypercoagulable animal model for the assessment of anticoagulants. Methods Forty mice, thirty-two rats, and twenty-four rabbits were randomly and equally divided into control group (saline) and three ellagic acid (EA)-treated groups (low, middle, and high doses). In the mice, bleeding time (BT) was estimated with tail transaction, and clotting time (CT) with template method. Prothrombin time (PT) and the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) in rats and rabbits were measured by means of Quick's one-stage assay and modified APTT assay respectively. In addition, thrombin activity was estimated in rats with PT assay using a hemagglutination analyzer. The circulating platelet aggregates were de- tected in rabbits through platelet counting and presented as the circulating platelet aggregate ratio (CPAR). Results EA shortened BT and CT in mice, PT and APTT in rats, and increased thrombin activity and CPAR, all in a dose-dependent manner. EA also brought reduction of PT and APTT in rabbits in dose- and time-dependent manners. Conclusion EA could induce hypercoagulable state through activating coagulation system and platelets in mice, rats, and rabbits.

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.

Coronavirus and cardiovascular manifestations-getting to the heart of the matter

Coronavirus disease has unarguably been the largest pandemic of recent times.Over 150 million cases have occurred worldwide,and more than 3 million have succumbed to the disease.Cardiac manifestations can have varied presentations from an asymptomatic troponin rise to fulminant myocarditis.The pathogenesis of myocardial damage could be direct or indirect,including inflammation,coronary spasm,plaque rupture,and cytokine storm.Thromboembolism is also an important feature of cardiovascular affliction with both arterial and venous systems being affected.Hence,anticoagulation has also been a matter of debate.Fulminant myocarditis is the most severe form and can lead to circulatory shock with a high mortality.Management of cardiac patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)infection is not considerably different from non-COVID-19 cardiovascular disease,but interaction between cardiovascular drugs and anti-COVID-19 therapy requires careful attention.More recently,vaccines have emerged as a ray of hope for the disease.But simultaneously,there have been reports of thromboembolism following vaccination.In this review,we discuss the various aspects of coronavirus disease affecting of heart and its management.