scholarly journals Coagulation and Aging: Implications for the Anesthesiologist

Author(s):  
Sarina L. Tschan ◽  
Daniel Bolliger

Abstract Purpose of Review This narrative review focuses on aging-related modifications in coagulation resulting in increased thromboembolic and hemorrhagic risk of the elderly. We further discuss the current evidence and emerging data relating the perioperative treatment of elderly patients with antithrombotic therapy. Recent Findings Relevant changes in all elements of the Virchow’s triad can be found with aging. Increased blood stasis due to immobility, progressive endothelial dysfunction with altered microcirculation, elevated concentrations of several coagulation factors, and increased platelet reactivity all lead to a procoagulant state. Elderly people are, therefore, commonly treated with oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet drugs. This antithrombotic therapy might be essentially causative for their increased bleeding risk. Summary Elderly patients are at increased risk for thromboembolism due to changes in the hemostatic system in combination with frailty and multimorbidity. Both the thromboembolic due to aging and bleeding risk due to antithrombotic therapy need special attention in the elderly surgical patients.

Cardiology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Aharon Erez ◽  
Gregory Golovchiner ◽  
Robert Klempfner ◽  
Ehud Kadmon ◽  
Gustavo Ruben Goldenberg ◽  
...  

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> In patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) at risk for stroke, dabigatran 150 mg twice a day (DE150) is superior to warfarin for stroke prevention. However, there is paucity of data with respect to bleeding risk at this dose in elderly patients (≥75 years). We aimed to evaluate the safety of DE150 in comparison to warfarin in a real-world population with AF and low bleeding risk (HAS-BLED score ≤2). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In this prospective observational study, 754 consecutive patients with AF and HAS-BLED score ≤2 were included. We compared outcome of elderly patients (age ≥75 tears) to younger patients (age &#x3c;75 years). The primary end point was the combined incidence of all-cause mortality, stroke, systemic emboli, and major bleeding event during a mean follow-up of 1 year. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were 230 (30%) elderly patients, 151 patients were treated with warfarin, and 79 were treated with DE150. Fifty-two patients experienced the primary endpoint during the 1-year follow-up. Among the elderly, at 1-year of follow-up, the cumulative event rate of the combined endpoint in the DE150 and warfarin was 8.9 and 15.9% respectively (<i>p</i> = 0.14). After adjustment for age and gender, patients who were treated with DE150 had a nonsignificant difference in the risk for the combined end point as patients treated with warfarin both among the elderly and among the younger population (HR 0.58, 95% C.I = 0.25–1.39 and HR = 1.12, 95% C.I 0.62–2.00, respectively [<i>p</i> for age-group-by-treatment interaction = 0.83). <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> Our results suggest that Dabigatran 150 mg twice a day can be safely used among elderly AF patients with low bleeding risk.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_2) ◽  
Author(s):  
A Tseng ◽  
S Bhatt ◽  
M Girardo ◽  
D Liedl ◽  
P Wennberg ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Antiplatelet therapy is the cornerstone of treatment for many atherosclerotic vascular pathologies including peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Patients with PAD often have comorbid conditions that require complex antithrombotic therapy, i.e. combined antiplatelet and anticoagulation. Methods All adult patients undergoing ankle brachial index (ABI) measurements were included in the study. ABI values between 1.00 and 1.40 were considered normal, and values below 1.00 or above 1.40 were considered PAD. Demographic, comorbidity and outcome data were obtained using diagnostic codes from the electronic health record. Three medication classes were analyzed: aspirin, non-aspirin oral antiplatelets (e.g. P2Y12 inhibitors) and oral anticoagulants (warfarin and the direct oral anticoagulants). Medication use was determined for patients who had been on a medication for at least one year. Cox proportional hazard analysis for the time to first bleeding event was analyzed. Bleeding was defined as any bleeding requiring medical evaluation (including clinically-relevant non-major bleeding and major bleeding). Results In all, 40,144 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 66±15, 43% female). Patients with PAD were more likely to be on double therapy (one antiplatelet with anticoagulation) (28% vs 19%) and triple therapy (dual antiplatelet with anticoagulation) (10% vs 4%). Unadjusted hazard ratios for bleeding risk showed increased risk of bleeding for patients with PAD (1.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.08–1.29), though the association is no longer present after adjustment for antithrombotic therapy. Adjusting for age, sex and PAD class, compared to no antithrombotic therapy, there was increased risk of bleeding for monotherapy (1.91, 95% CI: 1.61–2.26), double therapy (3.40, 95% CI: 2.89–4.00) and triple therapy (5.00, 95% CI: 4.21–5.96). Among medications, aspirin and anticoagulant use was independently associated with the greatest increase in risk of bleeding. Conclusion Patients in PAD are at increased risk of bleeding secondary to antithrombotic therapy. Complex antithrombotic therapy with double or triple therapy confer additional bleeding risk, particularly regimens containing aspirin and oral anticoagulants. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None


2021 ◽  
pp. 56-57
Author(s):  
Rohit Arora ◽  
D.K Sharma

Hypertension is a common disease in the elderly associated with signicant morbidity and mortality. Due to the complexity of this population, the optimal target of blood pressure (BP) control is still controversial. In this article, we conduct a literature review of trials published in English in the last 10 years which were specically designed to study the efcacy and safety of various BP targets in patients who are 70 years or older. Using these criteria, we found that the benets in the positive studies were demonstrated even with a minimal BPcontrol (systolic BP[SBP] <150 mmHg) and continued to be reported for a SBP<120 mmHg. On the other hand, keeping SBP<140 mmHg seemed to be safely achieved in elderly patients. Although the safety of lowering SBP to <120 mmHg is debated, Systolic Blood Pressure Intervention Trial study has shown no increased risk of falls, fractures, or kidney failure in elderly patients with SBP lower than this threshold. While the recent guidelines recommended to keep BP <130/80 mmHg in the elderly, more individualized approach should be considered to achieve this goal in order to avoid undesirable complications. Furthermore, further studies are required to evaluate BPtarget in very old patients or those with multiple comorbidities.


Stroke ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (Suppl_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Bilal Tariq ◽  
Shekhar Khanpara ◽  
Eliana Bonfante Mejia ◽  
Liang Zhu ◽  
Christy T Ankrom ◽  
...  

Background: While tPA may be safe in the elderly, increasing age appears to augment risk of post-tPA symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH). Age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) are associated with increased sICH. Patients evaluated for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) via telestroke (TS) may not have access to MRI to allow incorporation of microbleeds in tPA decisions. We assessed if increased CT-based ARWMC was associated with increased sICH in elderly patients. Methods: Patients 80 years and older who received tPA for AIS at spoke hospitals were selected from our TS network registry from 9/2015 to 12/2018. TS spoke CT scans from patient presentation were reviewed by three of the authors for periventricular white matter (PWMC) and deep white matter (DWMC) changes. Total ARWMC score, based on the Fazekas score, was collected. Total ARWMC score was either mild (0-2), moderate (3-4), or severe (5-6). PWMC and DWMC were either mild (0-1) or moderate-severe (2-3). Logistic regression adjusted for age, sex, race, ethnicity, NIHSS and premorbid mRS was used to analyze relationship of ARWMC scores with sICH and patient-outcomes. Results: Of 241 patients, median age overall was 86 years (IQR 83-90), and 66% were female. The overall median ARWMC score was 3 (IQR 2-5). Regression analysis showed that more severe ARWMC scores did not lead to higher frequency of post-tPA ICH (moderate OR 0.57, CI 0.19-1.71; severe OR 1.32, CI 0.48-3.65) including sICH (moderate OR 0.78, CI 0.21-2.94; severe OR 2.09, CI 0.62-7.02). Similarly, severe PWMC and DWMC were not associated with increased risk of post-tPA ICH (PWMC OR 1.31, CI 0.51-3.38; DWMC OR 1.25, CI 0.52-3.01), including sICH (PWMC OR 1.61, CI 0.51-5.08; DWMC OR 1.81, CI 0.65-5.01). In our cohort, older patients had no difference in hemorrhage (ICH OR 0.93 CI 0.85-1.00: sICH OR 0.95 CI 0.86-1.04), and patients with less severe stroke were more likely to have hemorrhage (ICH OR 1.06 CI 1.02-1.10; sICH OR 1.08 CI 1.03-1.13). IRR among the CT scan readers was moderate (k=0.504). Conclusions: ARWMC scores were not associated with post-tPA ICH in the elderly. Our analysis lends support for the use of tPA despite severity of white matter disease. ARWMC should not be used to assist in tPA decision-making in elderly patients via telestroke.


2019 ◽  
pp. 8-16
Author(s):  
M.S. CHERNIAEVA ◽  
O.D. OSTROUMOVA

Высокая распространенность хронической сердечной недостаточности (ХСН) в популяции пожилых пациентов наряду с устойчивым ро- стом численности пожилого населения как в России, так и в западных странах все больше привлекает внимание врачей к проблеме, связан- ной с ведением данного заболевания. Известно, что ведущим фактором риска развития ХСН является повышенное артериальное давление (АД) и большинство пациентов с ХСН имеют в анамнезе артериальную гипертонию (АГ), поэтому лечение пациентов пожилого возраста c АГ и ХСН является одним из важных направлений в профилактике прогрессирования ХСН, снижения количества госпитализаций и смерт- ности. Лечение АГ у пожилых имеет свои особенности, связанные с функциональным статусом пациентов и их способностью переносить лечение. В европейских рекомендациях (2018) пересмотрены целевые цифры АД при лечении АГ у пожилых, однако данные по целевым цифрам АД для лечения АГ у пациентов с ХСН опираются лишь на исследования, проводившиеся у больных без ХСН. Данные об оптималь- ном целевом уровне у пациентов с АГ и ХСН представлены в единичных исследованиях. В настоящей статье проанализирована взаимосвязь уровня АД и сердечно-сосудистых событий и смертности отдельно для пациентов с АГ и сердечной недостаточностью с низкой фракцией выброса левого желудочка и с сохраненной фракцией выброса левого желудочка. Результаты многих исследований показывают, что более низкий уровень систолического АД (120 мм рт. ст.) и диастолического АД (80 мм рт. ст.) ассоциирован с развитием неблагоприятных сердечно-сосудистых событий, особенно у пациентов с сердечной недостаточностью с низкой фракцией выброса левого желудочка.The high prevalence of chronic heart failure (CHF) in the elderly patients, along with the steady growth of the elderly population, both in Russia and in Western countries, is increasingly attracting the attention of doctors to the problem associated with the management of this disease. It is known that the leading risk factor for CHF is high blood pressure (BP) and most patients with CHF have a history of hypertension (H), so the treatment of elderly patients with H and CHF is the major focus in the slowing CHF progression, reducing the heart failure hospitalisation and mortality. Treatment of hypertension in the elderly has some specific features associated with the functional status of patients and their ability to tolerate treatment. The European recommendations (2018) revised target blood pressure levels in the elderly patients, however, data on target blood pressure levels in patients with CHF are based only on studies conducted in patients without CHF, data on the optimal target blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension and CHF are presented in single studies. In this article we analyze the relationship between blood pressure levels and cardiovascular events and mortality separately for patients with hypertension and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and with preserved ejection fraction. Several studies show that lower systolic blood pressure (120 mm Hg) and diastolic blood pressure (80 mm Hg) is associated with the increased risk of cardiovascular events, especially in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.


Circulation ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 144 (16) ◽  
pp. 1323-1343
Author(s):  
Paolo Calabrò ◽  
Felice Gragnano ◽  
Giampaolo Niccoli ◽  
Rossella Marcucci ◽  
Marco Zimarino ◽  
...  

Contemporary evidence supports device-based transcatheter interventions for the management of patients with structural heart disease. These procedures, which include aortic valve implantation, mitral or tricuspid valve repair/implantation, left atrial appendage occlusion, and patent foramen ovale closure, profoundly differ with respect to clinical indications and procedural aspects. Yet, patients undergoing transcatheter cardiac interventions require antithrombotic therapy before, during, or after the procedure to prevent thromboembolic events. However, these therapies are associated with an increased risk of bleeding complications. To date, challenges and controversies exist regarding balancing the risk of thrombotic and bleeding complications in these patients such that the optimal antithrombotic regimens to adopt in each specific procedure is still unclear. In this review, we summarize current evidence on antithrombotic therapies for device-based transcatheter interventions targeting structural heart disease and emphasize the importance of a tailored approach in these patients.


BMC Medicine ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Bongani B. Nkambule ◽  
Vuyolwethu Mxinwa ◽  
Zibusiso Mkandla ◽  
Tinashe Mutize ◽  
Kabelo Mokgalaboni ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Antiretroviral therapy (ART) alters platelet reactivity, and as a consequence, patients living with HIV may be at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The current evidence on platelet activation levels in patients with HIV remains inconclusive. We therefore aimed to systematically synthesise evidence on the association of platelet activation in HIV-infected patients on successful treatment. Methods Electronic databases were searched from inception until November 2019. Studies were included if the primary or secondary outcome of the study was to assess platelet activation in HIV-infected patients on ART. The primary outcome of this review included the levels of platelet activation. The pooled effect estimates were calculated using a random-effects meta-analysis model. Results We identified 30 studies comprising of 2325 participants. The pooled estimates showed elevated levels of platelet activation in treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients compared to uninfected controls (Hedges’ g 2.00 [95%CI 1.05, 2.94]; z = 4.12, p < 0.0001). These remained elevated despite successful ART (Hedges’ g 2.05 [95%CI 0.58, 3.52]; z = 2.71, p = 0.0067). Conclusion The levels of platelet activation are elevated in treatment-naïve HIV-infected patients, and these persist during successful ART. Further studies should assess the clinical relevance of monitoring the levels of platelet activation in HIV-infected patients on ART.


Author(s):  
Francesco Costa ◽  
Marco Valgimigli ◽  
Philippe Gabriel Steg ◽  
Deepak L Bhatt ◽  
Stefan H Hohnloser ◽  
...  

Abstract Aims Patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing coronary intervention are at higher bleeding risk due to the concomitant need for oral anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. The RE-DUAL PCI trial demonstrated better safety with dual antithrombotic therapy (DAT: dabigatran 110 or 150 mg b.i.d., clopidogrel or ticagrelor) compared to triple antithrombotic therapy (TAT: warfarin, clopidogrel or ticagrelor, and aspirin). We explored the impact of baseline bleeding risk based on the PRECISE-DAPT score for decision-making regarding DAT vs. TAT. Methods and results A score ≥25 points qualified high bleeding risk (HBR). Comparisons were made for the primary safety endpoint International Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding, and the composite efficacy endpoint of death, thrombo-embolic events, or unplanned revascularization, analysed by time-to-event analysis. PRECISE-DAPT was available in 2336/2725 patients, and 37.9% were HBR. Compared to TAT, DAT with dabigatran 110 mg reduced bleeding risk both in non-HBR [hazard ratio (HR) 0.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31–0.57] and HBR (HR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52–0.94), with a greater magnitude of benefit among non-HBR (Pint = 0.02). Dual antithrombotic therapy with dabigatran 150 mg vs. TAT reduced bleeding in non-HBR (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45–0.80), with a trend toward less benefit in HBR patients (HR 0.92, 95% CI 0.63–1.34; Pint = 0.08). The risk of ischaemic events was similar on DAT with dabigatran (both 110 and 150 mg) vs. TAT in non-HBR and HBR patients (Pint = 0.45 and Pint = 0.56, respectively). Conclusions PRECISE-DAPT score appeared useful to identify AF patients undergoing PCI at further increased risk of bleeding complications and may help clinicians identifying the antithrombotic regimen intensity with the best benefit–risk ratio in an individual patient.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kamran Qureshi ◽  
Shyam Patel ◽  
Andrew Meillier

Patients with chronic liver diseases (CLD) undergo a range of invasive procedures during their clinical lifetime. Various hemostatic abnormalities are frequently identified during the periprocedural work-up; including thrombocytopenia. Thrombocytopenia of cirrhosis is multifactorial in origin, and decreased activity of thrombopoietin has been identified to be a major cause. Liver is an important site of thrombopoietin production and its levels are decreased in patients with cirrhosis. Severe thrombocytopenia (platelet counts < 60–75,000/µL) is associated with increased risk of bleeding with invasive procedures. In recent years, compounds with thrombopoietin receptor agonist activity have been studied as therapeutic options to raise platelet counts in CLD. We reviewed the use of Eltrombopag, Romiplostim, and Avatrombopag prior to various invasive procedures in patients with CLD. These agents seem promising in raising platelet counts before elective procedures resulting in reduction in platelet transfusions, and they also enabled more patients to undergo the procedures. However, these studies were not primarily aimed at comparing bleeding episodes among groups. Use of these agents had some adverse consequences, importantly being the occurrence of portal vein thrombosis. This review highlights the need of further studies to identify reliable methods of safely reducing the provoked bleeding risk linked to thrombocytopenia in CLD.


2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-261 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayodele Sasegbon ◽  
Laura O’Shea ◽  
Shaheen Hamdy

IntroductionElderly people are recognised to be at increased risk of oropharyngeal dysphagia (OPD), the causes of which are multifactorial. Our aim was to identify if sepsis is associated with OPD in the elderly during hospitalisation in the absence of known other risk factors for OPD.MethodsA hospital electronic database was searched for elderly patients (≥65 years) referred for assessment for suspected dysphagia between March 2013 and 2014. Exclusion criteria were age <65 years, pre-existing OPD or acute OPD secondary to acute intracranial event, space-occupying lesion or trauma. Data were collected on factors including age, sex, comorbidities, existing OPD, sepsis, microbiology, recovery of OPD and medication. Sepsis was defined as evidence of a systemic inflammatory response syndrome with a clinical suspicion of infection.ResultsA total of 301 of 1761 screened patients referred for dysphagia assessment met the inclusion criteria. The prevalence of sepsis and subsequent OPD was 16% (51/301). The mean age was 83 years (median 81 years). The most common comorbidity was dementia (31%). The majority (84%) failed to recover swallowing during their hospital stay, 12% had complications of aspiration and 35% died. The most common source of sepsis was from the chest (55%). Other factors contributing to the risk for dysphagia included delirium (22%) and neuroactive medication (41%). However, 10% of patients had sepsis and subsequent OPD without other identified risk factors.ConclusionThe prevalence of sepsis and subsequent dysphagia is significant and should be taken into account in any elderly person in hospital with new-onset OPD without other predisposing risk factors.


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