Treatment algorithm for oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in epistaxis patients

2013 ◽  
Vol 127 (5) ◽  
pp. 483-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
T C Biggs ◽  
P Baruah ◽  
J Mainwaring ◽  
P G Harries ◽  
R J Salib
Keyword(s):  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Oral Anticoagulant ◽  
Treatment Algorithm ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Antiplatelet Medication ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Audit Cycle ◽  
The Uk

AbstractBackground and objectives:There is currently little published guidance on the management of anticoagulant and antiplatelet medication in patients admitted with epistaxis. The routine practice of withholding such medication in an attempt to control the epistaxis is common in the UK. However, this practice is not evidence-based, is often unnecessary, and can be associated with significant morbidity. This study introduces a treatment algorithm for oral anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy in epistaxis patients, validated through a completed audit cycle.Methods:One hundred patients admitted with epistaxis to the University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust were studied via a two-audit cycle covering the implementation of a new treatment algorithm formulated jointly by the otolaryngology and haematology departments.Results:On admission, 58 per cent of patients were taking some form of anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication. The number of patients having such medication withheld decreased significantly between the two audits, for all drugs studied (i.e. aspirin, clopidogrel and warfarin). There was no significant increase in re-bleeding or re-admission rates between the audits.Conclusion:Implementation of this treatment algorithm would help standardise management for epistaxis patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs, and should reduce morbidity associated with unnecessary routine discontinuation of such medication.

Sonographic Evaluation of Hidradenitis Suppurativa with Smartphone-Linked Portable Ultrasound

Dermatology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Maximillian A. Weigelt ◽  
Yuval Hilerowicz ◽  
Jeffrey A. Leichter ◽  
Hadar Lev-Tov
Keyword(s):  
Hidradenitis Suppurativa ◽  
Wound Care ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Clinical Staging ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Portable Ultrasound ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Staging Systems ◽  
Conventional Ultrasound ◽  
Potential Benefits

Background: Clinical staging systems for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have poor interrater reliability and may underestimate disease activity. Sonographic staging systems may overcome these challenges, but conventional ultrasound (US) machines are expensive and bulky. Portable (p)US may facilitate the integration of sonography into routine practice. Objectives: To assess the ability of a novel smartphone-linked pUS device to identify key sonographic lesions of HS. Methods: The charts of 16 patients with HS who were assessed with pUS at the outpatient Dermatology and Wound Care Clinics of a university hospital center were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical and sonographic images of the affected areas were examined. The main outcome measures were the number of patients with identifiable sonographic lesions and the number of patients with subclinical lesions detected by pUS. Results: All 3 key sonographic lesions of HS were identifiable with pUS. Sonographic lesions were identified in 10 patients (62.5%). Subclinical lesions were identified in 2 patients (12.5%); in both cases, this affected management decisions. Conclusions: We demonstrate the ability of pUS to identify the key sonographic lesions of HS. pUS is a simple and affordable way to integrate HSUS into clinical and research settings, with clear potential benefits to patients.

scholarly journals COMPARISON OF THE ORIGINAL (PLAVIx) AND GENERIC (CLAPITAx) CLOPIDOGREL ON PLATELET  AGGREGATION: ObSERVATIONAL STUDY

2018 ◽  
pp. 75-81
Author(s):  
A. S. Skotnikov ◽  
Zh. M. Sizova ◽  
A. N. Baglikov ◽  
O. G. Rozhnova ◽  
N. I. Novitsky
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Aggregation ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Observational Study ◽  
Antiplatelet Therapy ◽  
Antiplatelet Drugs ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Drug Supply ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Aim. To compare antiplatelet activeness of the original clopidogrel and its generic, and to evaluate the routine practice of antiplatelet drugs intake by clinically stable patients aiming prevention of atherothrombosis.Material and methods. Total number of patients that have been taking clopidogrel: 186, of those at outpatient stage 54 on original clopidogrel, the rest 132 on generic. Adenosindiphosphate-induced activeness was measured in two groups (n=57) taking consequently Plavix and Clapitax before replacement of the drug and 14 days after.Results. At interchange of the drug in group 1 (Clapitax to Plavix) and group 2 (Plavix to Clapitax) the grade of achieved effect remained, and in group 2 it showed additional non-significant decrease. Adverse events related to antiplatelet therapy were not registered. At in-patient stage, 117 patients had an interchange of the drug (incl. several times) of original clopidogrel to its various generics (n=65), and vice versa (n=52), that was related to a range of routine reasons, of those patient and relatives preferences, specifics of drug supply in a clinic.Conclusion. The found equal residual reactivity of the platelets after Clapitax and Plavix intake in two groups witness on therapeutical equivalence of the drugs.

Benefits and Limits of Antiretroviral Drug Monitoring in Routine Practice

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 190-197
Author(s):  
Thomas Maitre ◽  
Patrice Muret ◽  
Mathieu Blot ◽  
Anne Waldner ◽  
Michel Duong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Therapeutic Range ◽  
Drug Monitoring ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Therapeutic Drug ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Hiv Viral Load ◽  
Measured Concentration ◽  
The University

Background: HIV infection is a chronic disease for which therapeutic adherence and tolerance require particular attention. Objective: This study aimed to assess whether and when therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) could be associated with a benefit in routine practice. Methods: All HIV-infected patients who underwent at least one TDM at the University Hospital of Dijon (France) between 1st January 2009 and 31st December 2012 were retrospectively included. Compliance with the recommendations, the results (antiretroviral concentrations), any subsequent therapeutic modifications, and the virological results at 4-8 months were analysed each time TDM was performed. TDM was defined as “practically relevant” when low or high antiretroviral concentrations led to a change in therapy. Results: Of the 571 patients who followed-up, 43.4% underwent TDM. TDM complying with recommendations (120 patients) was associated with a higher proportion of antiretroviral concentrations outside the therapeutic range (p=0.03). Antiretroviral treatment was modified after TDM in 22.6% of patients. Protease inhibitors, non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and raltegravir were more significantly modified when the measured concentration was outside the therapeutic range (p=0.008, p=0.05 and p=0.02, respectively). Overall, 11.7% of TDM was considered “practically relevant”, though there was no significant correlation between subsequent changes in antiretroviral treatment and undetectable final HIV viral load. Conclusions: TDM may be a useful tool in the management of HIV infection in specific situations, but the overall benefit seems moderate in routine practice. TDM cannot be systematic and/or a decision tool per se, but should be included in a comprehensive approach in certain clinical situations.

Effectiveness of a vancomycin dosing protocol guided by area under the concentration-time curve to minimal inhibitory concentration (AUC/MIC) with multidisciplinary team support to improve hospital-wide adherence to a vancomycin dosing protocol: A pilot study

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Panipak Katawethiwong ◽  
Anucha Apisarnthanarak ◽  
Kittiya Jantarathaneewat ◽  
David J. Weber ◽  
David K. Warren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Multidisciplinary Team ◽  
Kidney Injury ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Routine Practice ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Coagulase Negative Staphylococci ◽  
Time Curve ◽  
Concentration Time ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Abstract Background: Limited data are available on the implementation of an area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)–based dosing protocol with multidisciplinary team (MT) support to improve adherence with vancomycin dosing protocol. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support intervention with adherence to a hospital-wide vancomycin dosing protocol at Thammasat University Hospital. Method: We conducted a quasi-experimental study in patients who were prescribed intravenous vancomycin. The study was divided into 2 periods; (1) the preintervention period when the vancomycin dosing protocol was already applied in routine practice and (2) the post-intervention period when the implementation of an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support was added to the existing vancomycin dosing protocol. The primary outcome was the rate of adherence, and the secondary outcomes included acute kidney injury events, vancomycin-related adverse events, and 30-day mortality rate. Results: In total, 240 patients were enrolled. The most common infections were skin and soft-tissue infections (24.6%) and bacteremia (24.6%). The most common pathogens were coagulase-negative staphylococci (19.6%) and Enterococcus spp (15.4%). Adherence with the vancomycin dosing protocol was significantly higher in the postintervention period (90.8% vs 55%; P ≤ .001). By multivariate analysis, an AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support was the sole predictor for adherence with the vancomycin dosing protocol (adjusted odds ratio, 10.31; 95% confidence interval, 4.54–23.45; P ≤ .001). The 30-day mortality rate was significantly lower during the postintervention period (8.3% vs 20%; P = .015). Conclusions: AUC-based dosing protocol with MT support significantly improved adherence with vancomycin dosing protocol and was associated with a lower 30-day mortality rate.

scholarly journals EPEN-24. SIOP EPENDYMOMA II: CENTRAL EPENDYMOMA MANAGEMENT ADVISORY GROUP – THE UK EXPERIENCE

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (Supplement_3) ◽  
pp. iii312-iii312
Author(s):  
Donald C Macarthur ◽  
Conor Mallucci ◽  
Ian Kamaly-Asl ◽  
John Goodden ◽  
Lisa C D Storer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rates ◽  
Target Volume ◽  
Advisory Group ◽  
Subtotal Resection ◽  
Str Analysis ◽  
Oncological Treatment ◽  
Beneficial Effects ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Pathological Review ◽  
The Uk

Abstract Paediatric Ependymoma is the second most common malignant brain tumour of childhood with approximately 50% of cases recurring. It has been described as a “surgical” disease since patients who have undergone a gross total surgical resection (GTR) have a better prognosis than those who have a subtotal resection (STR). Analysis of the UKCCSG/SIOP 1992 04 clinical trial has shown that only 49% of cases had a GTR, with 5-year survival rates for STR of 22–47% and GTR of 67–80%. As part of the SIOP II Ependymoma trial the UK established a panel of experts in the treatment of Ependymoma from Neuro-oncology, Neuro-radiology and Neuro-surgery. Meeting weekly, cases are discussed to provide a consensus on radiological review, ensuring central pathological review, trial stratification and whether further surgery should be advocated on any particular case. Evaluation of the first 68 UK patients has shown a GTR in 47/68 (69%) of patients and STR in 21/68 (31%) of patients. Following discussion at EMAG it was felt that 9/21 (43%) STR patients could be offered early second look surgery. Following this 2nd look surgery the number of cases with a GTR increased to 56/68 (82%). There has been a clear increase in the number of patients for whom a GTR has been achieved following discussion at EMAG and prior to them moving forwards with their oncological treatment. This can only have beneficial effects in decreasing their risk of tumour recurrence or CSF dissemination and also in reducing the target volume for radiotherapy.

scholarly journals Seasonal Influenza and Low Flu Vaccination Coverage as Important Factors Modifying the Costs and Availability of Hospital Services in Poland: A Retrospective Comparative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (10) ◽  
pp. 5173
Author(s):  
Robert Susło ◽  
Piotr Pobrotyn ◽  
Lidia Brydak ◽  
Łukasz Rypicz ◽  
Urszula Grata-Borkowska ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Influenza Season ◽  
Influenza Infection ◽  
Hospital Staff ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Admission Rates ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Retrospective Comparative Study ◽  
The Cost

Introduction: Influenza infection is associated with potential serious complications, increased hospitalization rates, and a higher risk of death. Materials and Methods: A retrospective comparative analysis of selected indicators of hospitalization from the University Hospital in Wroclaw, Poland, was carried out on patients with confirmed influenza infection in comparison to a control group randomly selected from among all other patients hospitalized on the respective wards during the 2018–2019 influenza season. Results: The mean laboratory testing costs for the entire hospital were 3.74-fold higher and the mean imaging test costs were 4.02-fold higher for patients with confirmed influenza than for the control group; the hospital expenses were additionally raised by the cost of antiviral therapy, which is striking when compared against the cost of a single flu vaccine. During the 2018–2019 influenza season, influenza infections among the hospital patients temporarily limited the healthcare service availability in the institution, which resulted in reduced admission rates to the departments related to internal medicine; the mean absence among the hospital staff totaled approximately 7 h per employee, despite 7.3% of the staff having been vaccinated against influenza at the hospital’s expense. Conclusions: There were significant differences in the hospitalization indicators between the patients with confirmed influenza and the control group, which markedly increased the hospital care costs in this multi-specialty university hospital.

scholarly journals Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its related psychological effect on orthopedic surgeries conducted in different types of hospitals in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902199607 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chia-Lung Shih ◽  
Peng-Ju Huang ◽  
Hsuan-Ti Huang ◽  
Chung-Hwan Chen ◽  
Tien-Ching Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Community Hospital ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Total Knee Arthroplasties ◽  
Peak Period ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Total Knee ◽  
Investigation Period ◽  
Orthopedic Diseases ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Aim: Taiwan’s response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) differed in that it successfully prevented the spread without having to shutdown or overburden medical services. Patients’ fear regarding the pandemic would be the only reason to reduce surgeries, so Taiwan could be the most suitable place for research on the influence of psychological factors. This study aimed to assess the impact of patients’ fear on orthopedic surgeries in Taiwan amid the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Patients and Methods: The investigation period included the COVID-19 pandemic (March 2020 to April 2020) and the corresponding period in the previous year. The following data on patients with orthopedic diseases were collected: outpatient visits, hospital admission, and surgical modalities. Results: The COVID-19 pandemic led to a 22%–29% and 20%–26% reduction in outpatients, 22%–27% and 25%–37% reduction in admissions, and 26%–35% and 18%–34% reduction in surgeries, respectively, at both hospitals. The weekly mean number of patients was significantly smaller during the COVID-19 pandemic for all types of surgery and elective surgeries at the university hospital, and for all types of surgery, elective surgeries, and total knee arthroplasties at the community hospital. Further, patients visiting the community hospital during the pandemic were significantly younger, for all types of surgery, elective surgeries, and total knee arthroplasties. Conclusions: The reduction in orthopedic surgeries in Taiwan’s hospitals during COVID-19 could be attributed to patients’ fear. Even without restriction, the pandemic inevitably led to a reduction of about 20%–30% of the operation volume.

scholarly journals A multicenter randomized trial to assess the efficacy of CONvalescent plasma therapy in patients with Invasive COVID-19 and acute respiratory failure treated with mechanical ventilation: the CONFIDENT trial protocol

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benoît Misset ◽  
Eric Hoste ◽  
Anne-Françoise Donneau ◽  
David Grimaldi ◽  
Geert Meyfroidt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Ventilation ◽  
Respiratory Failure ◽  
Neutralizing Antibodies ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
High Titer ◽  
Passive Immunization ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Optimal Time ◽  
Relative Reduction ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic reached Europe in early 2020. Convalescent plasma is used without a consistent evidence of efficacy. Our hypothesis is that passive immunization with plasma collected from patients having contracted COVID-19 and developed specific neutralizing antibodies may alleviate symptoms and reduce mortality in patients treated with mechanical ventilation for severe respiratory failure during the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Methods We plan to include 500 adult patients, hospitalized in 16 Belgian intensive care units between September 2020 and 2022, diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia, under mechanical ventilation for less than 5 days and a clinical frailty scale less than 6. The study treatment will be compared to standard of care and allocated by randomization in a 1 to 1 ratio without blinding. The main endpoint will be mortality at day 28. We will perform an intention to treat analysis. The number of patients to include is based on an expected mortality rate at day 28 of 40 percent and an expected relative reduction with study intervention of 30 percent with α risk of 5 percent and β risk of 20 percent. Discussion This study will assess the efficacy of plasma in the population of mechanically ventilated patients. A stratification on the delay from mechanical ventilation and inclusion will allow to approach the optimal time use. Selecting convalescent plasmas with a high titer of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 will allow a homogeneous study treatment. The inclusion in the study is based on the consent of the patient or his/her legal representative, and the approval of the Investigational Review Board of the University hospital of Liège, Belgium. A data safety monitoring board (DSMB) has been implemented. Interim analyses have been planned at 100, 2002, 300 and 400 inclusions in order to decide whether the trail should be discontinued prematurely for ethical issues. We plan to publish our results in a peer-reviewed journal and to present them at national and international conferences. Funding and registration The trial is funded by the Belgian Health Care Knowledge Center KCE # COV201004 Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov registration number NCT04558476. Registered 14 September 2020—Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04558476

scholarly journals Public Interest in Knee Pain and Knee Replacement during the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Western Europe

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1067
Author(s):  
Arne Kienzle ◽  
Lara Biedermann ◽  
Evgeniya Babeyko ◽  
Stephanie Kirschbaum ◽  
Georg Duda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Osteoarthritis ◽  
Knee Pain ◽  
Knee Replacement ◽  
Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
Public Interest ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Surgical Care ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Primary Knee Arthroplasty ◽  
The Uk

Due to the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, a large number of elective knee replacement procedures had to be postponed in both early and late 2020 in most western countries including Germany and the UK. It is unknown how public interest and demand for total knee arthroplasties was affected. Public interest in knee pain, knee osteoarthritis and knee arthroplasty in Germany and the UK was investigated using Google Trend Analysis. In addition, we monitored for changes in patient composition in our outpatient department. As of early March in Germany and of late March in the UK, until the lockdown measures, a 50 to 60% decrease in relative search frequency was observed in all categories investigated compared to the beginning of the year. While public interest for knee pain rapidly recovered, decreased interest for knee osteoarthritis and replacement lasted until the easing of measures. Shortly prior to and during the first lockdown mean search frequency for knee replacement was significantly decreased from 39.7% and 36.6 to 26.9% in Germany and from 47.7% and 50.9 to 23.7% in the UK (Germany: p = 0.022 prior to lockdown, p < 0.001 during lockdown; UK: p < 0.0001 prior to and during lockdown). In contrast, mean search frequencies did not differ significantly from each other for any of the investigated time frames during the second half of 2020 in both countries. Similarly, during the first lockdown, the proportion of patients presenting themselves to receive primary knee arthroplasty compared to patients that had already undergone knee replacement declined markedly from 64.7% to 46.9%. In contrast, patient composition changed only marginally during the lockdown measures in late 2020 in both Germany and the UK. We observed a high level of public interest in knee arthroplasty despite the ongoing pandemic. The absence of a lasting decline in interest in primary knee arthroplasty suggests that sufficient symptom reduction cannot be achieved without surgical care for a substantial number of patients.

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