scholarly journals The Effects of Oral Anticoagulant Exposure on the Surgical Outcomes of Patients Undergoing Surgery for High-Risk Abdominal Emergencies

Author(s):  
Woubet Tefera Kassahun ◽  
Tristan Cedric Wagner ◽  
Jonas Babel ◽  
Matthias Mehdorn

Abstract Background In chronic anticoagulant users undergoing surgery, bleeding and thromboembolism are common and serious complications. Many studies on mainly elective or minor emergency surgical procedures with low associated risks have focused on these outcomes. In comparison, patients undergoing high-risk emergency abdominal surgical procedures have not received sufficient attention. This study aimed to compare outcomes between oral anticoagulant users and nonusers who required emergency laparotomy for high-risk abdominal emergencies. Methods Patients who underwent surgery for abdominal emergencies at our institution between January 2012 and July 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Results There were 875 patients, including 370 anticoagulant users and 505 nonusers. Of the 370 anticoagulant users, 189 (51.3), 77 (20.8%), 45 (12.2%), and 59 (15.9%) were prescribed antiplatelets, a vitamin k antagonist, a direct oral anticoagulant, and a combination drug regimen, respectively. The most common high-risk emergencies requiring surgery in both groups were perforated viscus (25.7% vs 40.9%), mesenteric ischemia with enteric necrosis (27% vs 12.8%), and bowel obstruction (17.6% vs 28.1%). The overall bleeding rate was higher (29.2% vs 22%, p = 0.015) in anticoagulant users than in nonusers, but the major bleeding rate was similar (17.8% vs 14.1%, p = 0.129) between the two groups. The rates of thromboembolic events and mortality were significantly higher in anticoagulant users than in nonusers (25.7% vs 9.7%, p < 0.0001 and 39.7% vs 31.1%, p = 0.01, respectively). Liver cirrhosis, peripheral arterial diseases, reoperation, and blood product transfusion were independent predictors of the overall risk of bleeding or TEEs, according to the multivariate analysis. In this model, liver cirrhosis had the largest overall effect on mortality, followed by pneumonia, thromboembolism, peripheral arterial disease, blood product transfusion, and atrial fibrillation. The use of oral anticoagulants was not an independent predictor of either bleeding or in-hospital mortality. The use of oral anticoagulants was associated with a decreased risk of all-cause in-hospital mortality. Conclusion Based on our results, the continued use of oral anticoagulants is more protective than harmful considering the overall outcomes in this subset of patients.

1987 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ir Kontopoulou-Griva ◽  
J Spiliotopoulou ◽  
L Digenopoulou ◽  
J Georgopoulos

One of the reasons why oral anticoagulants fell into disrepute is the absence of internationally acceptable standarised procedures for controlling the level of anticoagulation. This deplorable situation resulted in over and under coagulation and uncertainty in the therapeutic range. The International Normalised Ratio (INR) can safely be applied in patients on oral anticoagulants.We present two Groups of patients under long term anti coagulation, mainly because of prosthetic heart valves that have recently been added to our outpatients clinic. These patients were till then attended by two cardiologists with different attitudes on the intensity of the anticoagulant treatment. The thromboplastin reagent used is that of ox origin and the results are expressed on INR.The Group A with 32 patients had at the time that we started attending them an INR x = 1,80 ± 0,48 and a daily dose of acenocoumarol x = 1,65 ± 0,51.The Group B with 49 patients had an INR x = 2,75 ± 0,51 and a daily dose of acenocoumarol x = 2,52 ± 1,53.Seven patients of the Group A referred thrombotic complications, while three patients of the Group B referred transiant thrombotic complications.The statistical analysis with the t-test of the INR between the two Groups is p<0,001 while that of the thrombotic complication with the x2 is p<0,05.The introduction of the INR and the acceptance by the medical people of the necessity of the intense oral anticoagulant treatment especially on high risk patients with mechanical heart valves as is the majority of the presented patients, will minimize the thromboembolic complications without high risk of bleeding.


Circulation ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (24) ◽  
pp. 2371-2388
Author(s):  
Aristeidis H Katsanos ◽  
Hooman Kamel ◽  
Jeff S. Healey ◽  
Robert G. Hart

Ischemic strokes related to atrial fibrillation are highly prevalent, presenting with severe neurologic syndromes and associated with high risk of recurrence. Although advances have been made in both primary and secondary stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation, the long-term risks for stroke recurrence and bleeding complications from antithrombotic treatment remain substantial. We summarize the major advances in stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation during the past 30 years and focus on novel diagnostic and treatment approaches currently under investigation in ongoing clinical trials. Non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants have been proven to be safer and equally effective compared with warfarin in stroke prevention for patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants are being investigated for the treatment of patients with atrial fibrillation and rheumatic heart disease, for the treatment of patients with recent embolic stroke of undetermined source and indirect evidence of cardiac embolism, and in the prevention of vascular-mediated cognitive decline in patients with atrial fibrillation. Multiple clinical trials are assessing the optimal timing of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant initiation after a recent ischemic stroke and the benefit:harm ratio of non–vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant treatment in patients with atrial fibrillation and history of previous intracranial bleeding. Ongoing trials are addressing the usefulness of left atrial appendage occlusion in both primary and secondary stroke prevention for patients with atrial fibrillation, including those with high risk of bleeding. The additive value of prolonged cardiac monitoring for subclinical atrial fibrillation detection through smartphone applications or implantable cardiac devices, together with the optimal medical management of individuals with covert paroxysmal atrial fibrillation, is a topic of intensive research interest. Colchicine treatment and factor XIa inhibition constitute 2 novel pharmacologic approaches that might provide future treatment options in the secondary prevention of cardioembolic stroke attributable to atrial fibrillation.


2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
I M Cigalini ◽  
C E Scatularo ◽  
J C C Jauregui ◽  
J I Ortego ◽  
D Cornejo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pulmonary embolism (PE) represents the third cause of cardiovascular death and one of the leading causes of preventable in-hospital mortality. However, there is lack of information about this entity in our country. Purpose To describe baseline characteristics, in-hospital evolution and treatments among patients (P) admitted for acute PE in Argentina. Methods A prospective multicentric registry of P with acute PE was conducted in 75 academic centers between October 2016 and November 2017. Conventional analysis was used for descriptive and comparative statistics, with a p value <0.05 considered as significant. Cross audit was performed at 20% of participating centers. Results We included 684 consecutive P with an average age of 63,8 years (SD 16,8), with slight majority of female sex (57%). PE was the reason for admission in 484 (71%) of the cases; 68% of those others who developed PE as a complication during hospital stay were under adequate venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. The most frequent predisposing factors were obesity (34%), recent hospitalization (34%), transient rest (30%) and active cancer (22%). Multislice computed tomography was the diagnostic method of choice (81%). An echocardiogram was performed in 625 P (91%), showing right ventricular dilatation or dysfunction in 41% and 35% of the cases, respectively. After initial diagnosis, P were stratified as low risk (24%), intermediate-low risk (34%), intermediate-high risk (27%) and high risk (15%). Anticoagulation was indicated in 661 (97%), mainly with low-molecular-weight heparins (LMWH) (59%) as initial strategy. Reperfusion with either thrombolytics or mechanical therapies was performed in 91 (13%) cases. However, only 50 of the 102 P who presented with hemodynamic instability received any reperfusion therapy (49%). Overall in-hospital mortality was 12%, mainly related to PE (51%), with significant differences according to risk stratification (p<0,01) (Figure 1). 579 out of 601 survivors received anticoagulants at discharge: 60% vitamin K antagonists, 21% LMWH and 19% direct oral anticoagulants (49% Rivaroxaban, 34% Apixaban and 17% Dabigatran). Mortality according risk stratification Conclusions PE presents with high in-hospital mortality in our setting mainly due to the embolic event. This finding could be related to a low use of reperfusion therapies in P with hemodynamic instability, reflecting low adherence to guideline recommendations even in academic centers. This issue should be taken into consideration to improve PE prognosis in Argentina.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
K Steensig ◽  
M Pareek ◽  
A.L Krarup ◽  
P Sogaard ◽  
M Maeng ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) have an increased risk of thromboembolic events (TE), while patients with complicated liver cirrhosis have an increased risk of both TE and bleeding. Oral anticoagulation reduces the risk of TE in the general group of patients with AF but its use in patients with liver cirrhosis is obscured by their imbalance between endogenous procoagulants and anticoagulants, as well as the lack of data from randomized controlled trials. Purpose To examine the risks of TE and bleeding in patients with AF and complicated liver cirrhosis according to whether oral anticoagulation is initiated. Methods We conducted a nationwide registry-based study of anticoagulant-naive patients with complicated liver cirrhosis and first-time AF diagnosed between 2010–2017. Complicated liver cirrhosis was defined as liver cirrhosis plus one of the following: alcoholism, esophageal varices, ascites or hepatorenal syndrome. Patients were followed for a maximum of 5 years. TE was defined as a composite of ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack or systemic thromboembolism; and the bleeding endpoint was defined as gastrointestinal, cerebral or urogenital bleeding requiring hospitalization, or any hospital contact with epistaxis. TE risk was estimated by use of the CHA2DS2-VASc score, while bleeding risk was estimated by use of the HAS-BLED score. Outcomes were stratified according to whether an oral anticoagulant (vitamin K antagonists [VKA] or direct oral anticoagulants [DOAC]) was initiated. Results We identified 770 patients with complicated liver cirrhosis and first-time AF. TE events occurred in 7.0% (n=25/359) of patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score ≤2 versus 20.7% (n=85/411) of patients with a CHA2DS2-VASc score &gt;2. Among 411 patients with a high CHA2DS2-VASc score, 111 (27.0%) were prescribed an oral anticoagulant (OAC+; VKA, n=53 [47.7%], DOAC, n=58 [52.3%]), while 300 (73.0%) were not treated with oral anticoagulation (OAC−). These two groups had comparable baseline data, including HAS-BLED (OAC+ 3.0 [2.5–4.0] versus OAC− 3.0 [2.0–4.0]) and CHA2DS2-VASc (OAC+ 4.0 [3.0–5.0] versus OAC− 4.0 [3.0–5.0]) scores. The 5-year TE risk among patients receiving anticoagulant therapy was 14.4% (n=16/111) versus 23.0% (n=69/300) in patients not treated with anticoagulant therapy (hazard ratio (HR) 0.55 [0.32–0.95]). The difference in bleeding risk was insignificant between the two groups (HR 0.67 [0.35–1.30]). Adjusting for CHA2DS2-VASc, HAS-BLED and prior bleeding requiring hospitalization did not significantly change the HR estimate, and no significant interactions were found. Conclusion TE risk was significantly lower in AF patients with complicated liver cirrhosis treated with oral anticoagulation, without a significantly increased bleeding risk. However, the majority of AF patients with complicated liver cirrhosis are not treated with anticoagulant therapy, indicating a potential for reducing the TE burden in this population. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


VASA ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 43 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-61 ◽  
Author(s):  
Konstantinos Tziomalos ◽  
Vasilios Giampatzis ◽  
Stella Bouziana ◽  
Athinodoros Pavlidis ◽  
Marianna Spanou ◽  
...  

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is frequently present in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, there are limited data regarding the association between ankle brachial index (ABI) ≤ 0.90 (which is diagnostic of PAD) or > 1.40 (suggesting calcified arteries) and the severity of stroke and in-hospital outcome in this population. We aimed to evaluate these associations in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Patients and methods: We prospectively studied 342 consecutive patients admitted for acute ischemic stroke (37.4 % males, mean age 78.8 ± 6.4 years). The severity of stroke was assessed with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS)and the modified Rankin scale (mRS) at admission. The outcome was assessed with the mRS and dependency (mRS 2 - 5) at discharge and in-hospital mortality. Results: An ABI ≤ 0.90 was present in 24.6 % of the patients whereas 68.1 % had ABI 0.91 - 1.40 and 7.3 % had ABI > 1.40. At admission, the NIHSS score did not differ between the 3 groups (10.4 ± 10.6, 8.3 ± 9.3 and 9.3 ± 9.4, respectively). The mRS score was also comparable in the 3 groups (3.6 ± 1.7, 3.1 ± 1.8 and 3.5 ± 2.3, respectively). At discharge, the mRS score did not differ between the 3 groups (2.9 ± 2.2, 2.3 ± 2.1 and 2.7 ± 2.5, respectively) and dependency rates were also comparable (59.5, 47.6 and 53.3 %, respectively). In-hospital mortality was almost two-times higher in patients with ABI ≤ 0.90 than in patients with ABI 0.91 - 1.40 or > 1.40 but this difference was not significant (10.9, 6.6 and 6.3 %, respectively). Conclusions: An ABI ≤ 0.90 or > 1.40 does not appear to be associated with more severe stroke or worse in-hospital outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.


VASA ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Klein-Weigel ◽  
Gutsche-Petrak ◽  
Wolbergs ◽  
Köning ◽  
Flessenkamper

Background: We compared medical secondary prevention in patients with peripheral arterial disease stage II (Fontaine) located in the femoro-popliteal artery managed by vascular surgeons and medical doctors / angiologists in our multidisciplinary vascular center. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed demission protocols of in-hospital treatments between 01.01.2007 and 20.06.2008. Results: We surveyed 264 patients (54.2 % women; mean age 67.52 ± 8.98 yrs), 179 (67.8 %) primarily treated by medical doctors / angiologists and 85 (32.2 %) primarily managed by vascular surgeons. Medical doctors / angiologists treated more women (n = 109) than men (n = 34), (p = 0.002) and documented smoking and diabetes mellitus more often (p < 0.001) than vascular surgeons. Besides, patients had similar cardiovascular risk profiles and concomitant diseases, vascular surgeons prescribed 5.47 ± 2.26 drugs, medical doctors / angiologists 6.37 ± 2.67 (p = 0.005). Overall, 239 (90.5 %) patients were on aspirin, 180 (68.2 %) on clopidogrel, and 18 (6.9 %) on oral anticoagulants. Significantly more patients treated by medical doctors / angiologists received clopidogrel (169 versus 11; p < 0.001), significantly more surgical patients received oral anticoagulants (11 versus 7; p = 0.016). The number of patients without prescriptions for any antithrombotic therapy was 6 (6.9 %) in patients treated by vascular surgeons and 0 (0 %) in patients managed by medical doctors / angiologists (p = 0.001). Prescription-rates of β-blockers, ACE-inhibitors, Angiotensin II-antangonists, calcium channel blockers, and diuretics were statistically not different between the two disciplines, but statins were prescribed significantly more often by medical doctors / angiologists (139 versus 49; p < 0001). With the exceptions of Clopidogrel (women > men) and diuretics (men > women) we observed no gender-specific prescriptions. Conclusions: We observed high prescriptions rates of secondary medical prevention in patients primarily treated by medical doctors / angiologists and vascular surgeons. We believe that this result is highly influenced by our multidisciplinary approach. Nevertheless, efforts have to be made to raise vascular surgeon’s awareness of statin use and complete prescription of antithrombotic and antiplatelet drugs.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (05) ◽  
pp. 0839-0844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vittorio Pengo ◽  
Fabio Barbero ◽  
Alberto Banzato ◽  
Elisabetta Garelli ◽  
Franco Noventa ◽  
...  

SummaryBackground. The long-term administration of oral anticoagulants to patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses is generally accepted. However, the appropriate intensity of oral anticoagulant treatment in these patients is still controversial.Methods and Results. From March 1991 to March 1994, patients referred to the Padova Thrombosis Center who had undergone mechanical heart valve substitution at least 6 months earlier were randomly assigned to receive oral anticoagulants at moderate intensity (target INR = 3) or moderate-high intensity (target INR = 4). Principal end points were major bleeding, thromboembolism and vascular death. Minor bleeding was a secondary end-point.A total of 104 patients were assigned to the target 3 group and 101 to the target 4 group; they were followed for from 1.5 years to up 4.5 years (mean, 3 years). Principal end-points occurred in 13 patients in the target 3 group (4 per 100 patient-years) and in 20 patients in the target 4 group (6.9 per 100 patient-years). Major hemorrhagic events occurred in 15 patients, 4 in the target 3 group (1.2 per 100 patient-years) and 11 in the target 4 group (3.8 per 100 patient-years) (p = 0.019). The 12 recorded episodes of thromboembolism, 4 of which consisted of a visual deficit, were all transient ischemic attacks, 6 in the target 3 group (1.8 per 100 patient-years) and 6 in the target 4 group (2.1 per 100 patient- years). There were 3 vascular deaths in each group (0.9 and 1 per 100 patient-years for target 3 and target 4 groups, respectively). Minor bleeding episodes occurred 85 times (26 per 100 patient-years) in the target 3 group and 123 times (43 per 100 patient-years) in the target 4 group (p = 0.001).Conclusions. Mechanical heart valve patients on anticoagulant treatment who had been operated on at least 6 months earlier experienced fewer bleeding complications when maintained on a moderate intensity regimen (target INR = 3) than those on a moderate-high intensity regimen (target INR = 4). The number of thromboembolic events and vascular deaths did not differ between the two groups.


1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (02) ◽  
pp. 855-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Armando Tripodi ◽  
Veena Chantarangkul ◽  
Marigrazia Clerici ◽  
Barbara Negri ◽  
Pier Mannuccio Mannucci

SummaryA key issue for the reliable use of new devices for the laboratory control of oral anticoagulant therapy with the INR is their conformity to the calibration model. In the past, their adequacy has mostly been assessed empirically without reference to the calibration model and the use of International Reference Preparations (IRP) for thromboplastin. In this study we reviewed the requirements to be fulfilled and applied them to the calibration of a new near-patient testing device (TAS, Cardiovascular Diagnostics) which uses thromboplastin-containing test cards for determination of the INR. On each of 10 working days citrat- ed whole blood and plasma samples were obtained from 2 healthy subjects and 6 patients on oral anticoagulants. PT testing on whole blood and plasma was done with the TAS and parallel testing for plasma by the manual technique with the IRP CRM 149S. Conformity to the calibration model was judged satisfactory if the following requirements were met: (i) there was a linear relationship between paired log-PTs (TAS vs CRM 149S); (ii) the regression line drawn through patients data points, passed through those of normals; (iii) the precision of the calibration expressed as the CV of the slope was <3%. A good linear relationship was observed for calibration plots for plasma and whole blood (r = 0.98). Regression lines drawn through patients data points, passed through those of normals. The CVs of the slope were in both cases 2.2% and the ISIs were 0.965 and 1.000 for whole blood and plasma. In conclusion, our study shows that near-patient testing devices can be considered reliable tools to measure INR in patients on oral anticoagulants and provides guidelines for their evaluation.


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