Changes in Prescribing Antithrombotic Therapy in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in the Multidisciplinary Hospital in Volgograd from 2012 to 2020

Aim. To study the frequency of prescribing antithrombotic agents in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) in real clinical practice, to evaluate changes of prescriptions from 2012 till 2020.Material and methods. The medical records of inpatients (Form 003/y) with the diagnosis AF, hospitalized in the cardiological department were analyzed. According to the inclusion criteria, the patients were over 18 years of age, established diagnosis of non-valvular AF. There were two exclusion criteria: congenital and acquired valvular heart disease and prosthetic heart valves. In retrospective analysis we have included 263 case histories in 2012, 502 ones in 2016 and 524 in 2020. CHA2DS2-VASc score was used for individual stroke risk assessment in AF. The rational use of the antithrombotic therapy was evaluated according with current clinical practice guidelines at analyzing moment.Results. During period of observation the frequency of antiplatelet therapy significantly decreased from 25,5% to 5,5% (р<0.001), decreased the frequency of administration of warfarin from 71,9% to 18,3% (р<0.001). The frequency of use of direct oral anticoagulants increased in 2020 compared to 2016 (р<0.001). For patients with a high risk of stroke anticoagulant therapy was administered in 71.8% of cases in 2012, 88.5% in 2016 and 92.5% in 2020. Before discharge from hospital majority of patients (72%) achieved a desired minimum international normalized ratio (INR) from 2.0 to 3.0 in 2012. In 2016 and 2020 an only 33% and 40.6% of patients achieved INR (2.0-3.0).Conclusion. Doctors have become more committed to following clinical guidelines during the period of the investigation. In 2020 antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation was suitable according to current clinical guidelines.

Factors Associated with the Development of Coagulopathy after Open Traumatic Brain Injury

Background: The incidence of coagulopathy after open traumatic brain injury (TBI) is high. Coagulopathy can aggravate intracranial hemorrhage and further increase morbidity and mortality. The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of coagulopathy after open TBI and its relationship with the prognosis. Methods: This study retrospectively evaluated patients with isolated open TBI from December 2018 to December 2020. Coagulopathy was defined as international normalized ratio (INR) > 1.2, activated thromboplastin time (APTT) > 35 s, or platelet count <100,000/μL. We compared the relationship between the clinical, radiological, and laboratory parameters of patients with and without coagulopathy, and the outcome at discharge. Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors associated with coagulopathy. We then compared the effects of treatment with and without TXA in open TBI patients with coagulopathy. Results: A total of 132 patients were included in the study; 46 patients developed coagulopathy. Patients with coagulopathy had significantly lower platelet levels (170.5 × 109/L vs. 216.5 × 109/L, p < 0.001), and significantly higher INR (1.14 vs. 1.02, p < 0.001) and APTT (30.5 s vs. 24.5 s, p < 0.001) compared to those with no coagulopathy. A Low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, high neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), low platelet/lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and hyperglycemia at admission were significantly associated with the occurrence of coagulopathy. Conclusions: Coagulopathy often occurs after open TBI. Patients with a low GCS score, high NLR, low PLR, and hyperglycemia at admission are at greater risk of coagulopathy, and therefore of poor prognosis. The efficacy of TXA in open TBI patients with coagulopathy is unclear. In addition, these findings demonstrate that PLR may be a novel indicator for predicting coagulopathy.

Features of the hemostasis system in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease

Background. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease. In recent years, disorders in the hemostasis system, their role in the progression of liver diseases and the development of cardiovascular complications in NAFLD have been actively studied. The purpose was to investigate the features of the hemostasis system in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Materials and methods. We examined 36 individuals with NAFLD (20 women and 16 men) aged 29–73 years. All patients underwent an anthropometric, general clinical, biochemical study of blood serum with the determination of platelets, prothrombin time ratio, international normalized ratio, fibrinogen, ultrasound examination of the abdominal cavity organs with elastometry, followed by statistical data processing. Results. Among patients with NAFLD, class 2 obesity and overweight (30.6 % each), class 1 obesity (27.8 %) prevailed. At the same time, according to the controlled attenuation parameter, 38.9 % of people had a severe degree of steatosis, 33.3 % — moderate and 27.8 % — mild. Regarding the indicators of hemostasis, a significant increase in the level of fibrinogen up to (4.9 ± 0.5) g/l was detected in 44.4 % of patients, its severity tended to grow with an increase in the degree of hepatic steatosis. Conclusions. In 44.4 % of NAFLD patients, with an increase in the degree of hepatic steatosis, the tendency to hypercoagulability has grown with an increase in fibrinogen content by 1.6 times (p < 0.001). Changes in the international normalized ratio, prothrombin time ratio and platelets were determined in isolated cases: more than 83.3 % of patients with NAFLD didn’t have violations of these parameters.

Evaluation of hemostasis parameters after mitral valve replacement surgery with mechanical prostheses in patients with different treatment adherence

The aim of the study. To analyze the indicators of hemostasis with adherence to treatment in patients operated on for mitral valve prosthetics with mechanical bicuspid prostheses in dynamics after 6, 12 and 60 months.Materials and methods. The study included 260 patients who underwent surgery for prosthetics with mechanical prostheses. Patients’ adherence to treatment was assessed using the Morisky – Green test. The following hemostasis parameters were analyzed: international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), D-dimer, fibrinogen and soluble fibrin-monomer complexes.Results of the study and conclusion. At all stages of the postoperative period, the hemostasis indicators of compliant patients corresponded to the reference values for people receiving anticoagulants, in non-compliant patients, these indicators did not reach the recommended values for patients on anticoagulant therapy. The presence of correlations between compliance and hemostasis indicators is evidenced by the results of correlation analysis. In most cases, the maximum strength of the relationship between compliance and hemostasis indicators was observed after 12 months of follow-up. A noticeable strength of interrelations was traced between compliance and levels of APTT, INR and fibrinogen.

Clinical and laboratory markers of the new coronavirus disease SARS-CoV-2 COVID-19 in hospitalized patients

The prognostic predictors of an unfavorable course of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and its complications with manifestations of pneumonia and the need for oxygen support and connection to the invasive mechanical ventilation were studied. Clinical and laboratory associations in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were evaluated, the possible predictors of connection to the invasive mechanical ventilator in 37 patients were identified. Patients were hospitalized on day 6.65±3.32 of the disease, blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) depended on the severity of the disease and response to therapy. Positive significant correlations between the level of growth stimulating factor (ST2) and D-Dimer, creatine phosphokinase MB fraction (CPK-MB) and D-dimmer, CPK-MB and ST2 were revealed, as well as of ferritin and D-Dimer with ST2. There were no significant associations with troponin. C-reactive protein (CRP) probably correlated with CPK-MB and ferritin. The International Normalized Ratio (INR) indicator had significant correlations with D-dimmer, ST2 and CPK-MB. Cox regression analysis showed that the survival curve has a stepwised nature and the highest risk of deterioration, which requires mechanical ventilation, was noted on the 6th day of illness (95.0% CI = 0.9-1.0, with an average SpO2 level =87.3%). ROC analysis showed the presence of a possible relationship between D-Dimer, ST2 protein, CPK-MB and the risk of developing a critical condition requiring mechanical ventilation in patients. The study showed that COVID-19 disease has a phase nature, when after the first phase of the disease, the pulmonary phase and hypercytokinemia progress in some patients with the development of hypoxia, a decrease in SpO2. Therefore, the identification of markers of disease progression is essential for predicting the course and possible prevention of the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome with the use of invasive mechanical ventilation.

Efficacy and Safety of 4 Fractions of Carbon-Ion Radiation Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Prospective Study

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Prospective evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of carbon-ion radiotherapy (C-ion RT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains lacking. This prospective study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of hypofractionated C-ion RT in patients with HCC. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) pathologically or clinically diagnosed HCC; (2) measurable tumor and tumor size ≤10 cm; (3) absence of major vascular invasion; (4) no extrahepatic metastasis; (5) the alimentary tract was not adjacent to the target lesion (&#x3e;1 cm); (6) not suitable for or refusal to undergo surgery or local ablative therapies; (7) an interval ≥4 weeks from previous therapy; (8) no other intrahepatic lesion or at least 2 years after the previous curative therapy; (9) performance status score, 0–2; and (10) Child-Pugh score, 5–9. The prescribed C-ion RT dose was 52.8 Gy (relative biological effectiveness [RBE]) or 60.0 Gy (RBE) in 4 fractions. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In total, 35 patients with HCC were enrolled between October 2010 and May 2016. The median follow-up durations in the survivor group (<i>n</i> = 23) and in the whole cohort were 55.1 and 49.0 months, respectively. The 2-, 3-, and 4-year overall survival rates were 82.8%, 76.7%, and 69.4%, respectively. The 2-, 3-, and 4-year local control (LC) rates were 92.6%, 76.5%, and 76.5%, respectively. The median time-to-progression was 25.6 months (95% confidence interval, 13.7–37.5 months). Grade 4 or 5 toxicities were not observed. Grade 3 acute and late toxicities were observed in 2 patients. There was no significant deterioration in serum albumin, bilirubin, prothrombin time-international normalized ratio, platelet count, or Child-Pugh score after C-ion RT. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Four fractions of C-ion RT for HCC did not yield serious adverse events and showed promising LC, thus making it a safe and effective modality for this type of malignancy.

Simple Coagulation Profile as Predictor of Mortality in Adults Admitted with COVID-19: A Meta-Analysis

Context: COVID-19 severe manifestations must be detected as soon as possible. One of the essential poor characteristics is the involvement of coagulopathy. Simple coagulation parameters, including prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), and platelet, are widely accessible in many health centers. Objectives: This meta-analysis aimed to determine the association between simple coagulation profiles and COVID-19 in-hospital mortality. Method: We systematically searched five databases for studies measuring simple coagulation parameters in COVID-19 on admission. The random-effects and inverse-variance weighting were used in the study, which used a standardized-mean difference of coagulation profile values. The odds ratios were computed using the Mantel-Haenszel formula for dichotomous variables. Results: This meta-analysis comprised a total of 30 studies (9,175 patients). In our meta-analysis, we found that non-survivors had a lower platelet count [SMD = -0.56 (95% CI: -0.79 to -0.33), P < 0.01; OR = 3.00 (95% CI: 1.66 to 5.41), P < 0.01], prolonged PT [SMD = 1.22 (95%CI: 0.71 to 1.72), P < 0.01; OR = 1.86 (95%CI: 1.43 to 2.43), P < 0.01], prolonged aPTT [SMD = 0.24 (95%CI: -0.04 to 0.52), P = 0.99], and increased INR [SMD = 2.21 (95%CI: 0.10 to 4.31), P = 0.04] than survivors. Conclusions: In COVID-19 patients, abnormal simple coagulation parameters on admission, such as platelet, PT, and INR, were associated with mortality outcomes.