The effects of fructose diphosphate on routine coagulation tests in vitro

To evaluate the effects of fructose diphosphate (FDP) on routine coagulation tests in vitro, we added FDP into the mixed normal plasma to obtain the final concentration of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 mg/mL of drug. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), fibrinogen (FBG) and thrombin time (TT) of samples were analyzed with blood coagulation analyzers from four different manufacturers(Sysmex, Stago, SEKISUI and Werfen) and their corresponding reagents, respectively. Before the experiment, we also observed whether there were significant differences in coagulation test results of different lots of reagents produced by each manufacturer. At the same time as the four routine clotting tests, the Sysmex blood coagulation analyzer and its proprietary analysis software were used to detect the change of maximum platelet aggregation rate in platelet-rich plasma after adding FDP (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mg/mL). The results of PT, aPTT and TT showed a FDP (0–35 mg/mL) concentration-dependent increase and a FBG concentration-dependent decrease. The degree of change (increase or decrease) varied depending on the assay system, with PT and aPTT being more affected by the Sysmex blood coagulation testing instrument reagent system and less affected by CEKISUI, TT less affected by CEKISUI and more affected by Stago, and FBG less affected by Stago and more affected by Sysmex. The results of PT, aPTT and TT were statistically positively correlated with their FDP concentrations, while FBG was negatively correlated. The correlation coefficients between FDP and the coagulation testing systems of Sysmex, Stago, Werfen and SEKISUI were 0.975, 0.988, 0.967, 0.986 for PT, and 0.993, 0.989, 0.990 and 0.962 for aPTT, 0.994, 0.960, 0.977 and 0.982 for TT, − 0.990, − 0.983, − 0.989 and − 0.954 for FBG, respectively. Different concentrations of FDP (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 mg/mL) had different effects on the maximum aggregation rate of platelet induced by the agonists of adenosine diphosphate (ADP, 5 µmol/L), arachidonic acid (Ara, 1 mmol/L), collagen (Col, 2.5 µg/mL) and epinephrine (Epi,10 µmol/L), but the overall downward trend was consistent, that is, with the increase of FDP concentration, the platelet aggregation rate decreased significantly. Our experimental study demonstrated a possible effect of FDP on the assays of coagulation and Platelet aggregation, which may arise because the drug interferes with the coagulation and platelet aggregation detection system, or it may affect our in vivo coagulation system and Platelet aggregation function, the real mechanism of which remains to be further verified and studied.

How to recognize and manage COVID-19-associated coagulopathy

COVID-19 is frequently associated with abnormalities on coagulation testing and a coagulopathy driven by inflammation, intravascular coagulation activation, and microvascular thrombosis. Elevated D-dimer is the most common finding and is a predictor of adverse outcomes including thrombosis, critical illness, and death. Although COVID-19-associated coagulopathy has some similarities to disseminated intravascular coagulation, the platelet count is usually preserved, coagulation times are usually normal or minimally prolonged, and thrombosis is more common than bleeding, at least in noncritically ill patients. Bleeding is uncommon but may be a significant problem in critically ill patients, including those who may develop a consumptive coagulopathy with frank disseminated intravascular coagulation and those on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. Blood product support to correct coagulopathy is reserved for bleeding patients or those requiring invasive procedures. Current recommendations suggest that all hospitalized patients should receive at least a prophylactic dose of anticoagulation. Results from a multiplatform randomized clinical trial suggest that therapeutically dosed anticoagulation may improve outcomes, including the need for organ support and mortality in moderately ill patients but not in those requiring critical care. The results of ongoing trials evaluating the impact of different antithrombotic strategies (therapeutic agents and intensity) on COVID-19 outcomes are eagerly awaited and are expected to have important implications for patient management. We also discuss COVID-19 vaccine-associated cytopenias and bleeding as well as vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia, in which thrombosis is associated with thrombocytopenia, elevated D-dimer, and, frequently, hypofibrinogenemia.

Comparison of the New Viscoelastic Coagulation Analyzer ClotPro® With ROTEM® Delta and Conventional Coagulation Tests in Critically Ill Patients With COVID-19

Background: Viscoelastic coagulation testing has been suggested to help manage coagulopathy in critically ill patients with COVID-19. However, results from different viscoelastic devices are not readily comparable. ClotPro® is a novel thromboelastometry analyzer offering a wider range of commercially available assays.Methods: We compared the results from ClotPro with results from the well-established ROTEM® Delta device and conventional coagulation tests in critically ill patients with COVID-19.Results: Viscoelastic parameters indicated the presence of a potentially hypercoagulable state in the majority of patients. In up to 95 paired measurements, we found strong correlations between several parameters routinely used in clinical practice: (i) EX test vs. EXTEM CT, A5, A10, MCF, (ii) IN test vs. INTEM A5, A10, MCF, and (iii) FIB test vs. FIBTEM A5, A10, MCF (all R > 0.7 and p < 0.001). In contrast, IN test CT vs. INTEM CT showed only a moderate correlation (R = 0.53 and p < 0.001). Clot strength parameters of both devices exhibited strong correlations with platelet counts and fibrinogen levels (all R > 0.7 and p < 0.001). Divergent correlations of intrinsically activated assays with aPTT and anti-factor Xa activity were visible. Regarding absolute differences of test results, considerable delta occurred in CT, CFT, and clot strength parameters (all p < 0.001) between both devices.Conclusions: Several parameters obtained by ClotPro show strong correlations with ROTEM Delta. Due to weak correlations of intrinsically activated clotting times and considerable absolute differences in a number of parameters, our findings underline the need for device-specific algorithms in this patient cohort.

Computed tomography features of cerebrovascular complications in intensive care unit patients with severe COVID-19

Objective: To report the computed tomography (CT) features of acute cerebrovascular complications in severely ill patients with confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the intensive care unit. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 29 intensive care unit patients with confirmed COVID-19 who underwent CT of the brain. We describe the CT features of the cerebrovascular complications of COVID-19, as well the demographic characteristics and clinical features, together with the results of laboratory tests, such as complete blood cell count, coagulation testing, renal function testing, and C-reactive protein assay. Results: Two patients were excluded because of brain death. Among the remaining 27 patients, CT revealed acute cerebrovascular complications in six (three men and three women; 49-81 years of age), whereas no such complications were seen in 21 (15 men and six women; 36-82 years of age). Conclusion: Radiologists should be aware of the risks of cerebrovascular complications of COVID-19 and the potential underlying etiologies. COVID-19-associated coagulopathy is likely multifactorial and may increase the risk of ischemic and hemorrhagic infarction.

COVID-19 in patients with tuberculosis: epidemiological and clinical features

Aim. To study the epidemiological and clinical features of COVID-19 among patients with tuberculosis.Materials and Methods. We studied the incidence of COVID-19 in various population groups in Kemerovo Region in 2020 (from March, 13 to December, 31). The study cohort consisted of 3929 tuberculosis patients, including 113 with a verified COVID-19 diagnosis. The control cohort included tuberculosis-free subjects with COVID-19 (25,774 individuals). Out of these subjects, we enrolled 71 patients with tuberculosis and 71 age- and gender-matched controls. All patients underwent complete blood count, urinalysis, biochemical analysis, and coagulation testing.Results. The incidence of COVID-19 in patients with tuberculosis was 2.96-fold higher than in the tuberculosis-free population (2876.05 and 971.17 per 100,000 population, respectively). In patients with tuberculosis, the highest incidence of COVID-19 was recorded in two age categories: from 18 to 29 years and ≥ 65 years of age. In tuberculosis patients, COVID-19 was mostly mild, was characterised by a 9.2-fold lower frequency of pneumonia, 11.8-fold less use of antibiotics, and oxygen therapy was required only in 1.41% of cases in comparison with 16.9% in the tuberculosis-free subjects. In addition, patients with tuberculosis less often suffered from hyperthermia, cough and weakness. Regarding the comorbid conditions, patients with tuberculosis showed lower prevalence of arterial hypertension, chronic heart failure, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Further, patients with tuberculosis generally had higher glomerular filtration rate and rarely had neutrophilia or lymphopenia when compared with the control individuals with COVID-19, although having higher fibrinogen and aspartate aminotransferase serum levels.Conclusion. Tuberculosis is a risk factor of COVID-19 but not a predictor of morbidity and mortality from this disease.

Characteristics of routine coagulationtesting and thromboelastometry in polytrauma patients at admission

Background: polytrauma is one of the emergency surgeries with a high mortality rate. One of the leading causes of death is coagulopathy that is not detected early and treated promptly. Thromboelastometry (ROTEM) is a whole blood assay that evaluates the viscoelastic properties during clot formation and clot lysis. This method can detect coagulopathy rapidly and accurately, thereby improving the management of bleeding after trauma. Objectives: describing and evaluating the correlation between ROTEM parameters and routine coagulation tests in polytrauma patients at admission. Method: 110 patients admitted to the Emergency Department, Viet Duc University Hospital from May 2021 to July 2021 were diagnosed with polytrauma. All patients underwent routine coagulation testing and ROTEM parameters at admission. Result: the average age of patients is 41.4±14.7 years old, men accounts for 77.3%, average ISS score is 24.5±6.3. The proportion of the polytrauma patients with coagulopathy by routine coagulation testing was 50.9%. A significant correlation was found between routine coagulation parameters and ROTEM: between APTT with CFT-INTEM (r=0.65; p<0.01); between PT and CFT-EXTEM (r=0.64; p<0.01); between platelet count and MCF-INTEM (r=0.56; p=0.00) and MCF-EXTEM (r=0.57; p=0.00); between fibrinogen level and MCF-INTEM (r=0.71; p=0.00), MCF-EXTEM (r=0.71; p=0.00), and MCF-FIBTEM (r=0.91; p=0.00). Conclusion: proportion of the polytrauma patients with coagulopathy by routine coagulation testing was 50.9%. A significant correlation was found between routine coagulation parameters and ROTEM

Anticoagulation Monitoring for Perioperative Physicians

From preoperative medications to intraoperative needs to postoperative thromboprophylaxis, anticoagulants are encountered throughout the perioperative period. This review focuses on coagulation testing clinicians utilize to monitor the effects of these medications.