Surgical Options and Approaches for Lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding: When do we operate and what do we do?

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding (LGIB) is a common entity encountered by the surgeon. Though most LGIB stops on its own, familiarity with the diagnoses and their treatments is critical to optimal patient care. Even in 2016, surgery may be required. Advances in imaging have led to an enhanced ability to localize bleeding. Newer anticoagulants have developed which provide ease of use to the patient, but challenges to caregivers when bleeding arises.

Anticoagulation Increases Bleeding Rates in Portal Vein Thrombosis: A National Database Study

Introduction: Liver cirrhosis is being increasingly recognized as a hypercoagulable state, mainly due to disproportionate reduction in antithrombotic factors (protein C, S and anti-thrombin III). Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a frequent sequala of liver cirrhosis that can lead to numerous complications and potential exclusion from transplant lists, at least until the resolution of the thrombus. The current evidence for anticoagulation (AC) for PVT in liver cirrhosis is limited to small retrospective studies. Major liver societies recommend limited anticoagulation with enoxaparin based on expert opinion (Category C). We sought to examine the incidence of bleeding after AC in cirrhotic patients with PVT. Methods: Data were obtained from a commercial de-identified database (Explorys, IBM, Inc.) that integrates electronic health records from 27 major integrated U.S. healthcare systems from 1999 to July 2019. Cases were defined as adult patients aged >=18 years having a new Systematized Nomenclature of Medicine Clinical Terms (SNOMED) diagnosis of PVT, had been anticoagulated for the first time following PVT and had experienced bleeding for the first time following AC. Controls were adults who had a diagnosis of PVT and did not get AC. We included older anticoagulants (warfarin and enoxaparin) as well as newer anticoagulants (apixaban, fondaparinux and rivaroxaban). We compared the incidence of bleeding (defined as bleeding from any site) in those with PVT who received AC to those with PVT who did not receive AC. In addition, we also compared the incidence of bleeding between older and newer anticoagulants, and also examined whether there were differences in gender, race, and insurance status for those who bled while on AC. Analysis comprised of calculating odds ratios (OR) and confidence intervals (CI) for the OR. Results: A total of 213,810 patients had liver cirrhosis and out of those, 7,570 (3.5%) patients had PVT. Four hundred and ten cases out of 1,430 patients who received AC bled for the first time whereas 980 cases out of 3,880 patients who did not receive AC bled for the first time. Cases on AC had 1.18 times higher odds of bleeding when compared to controls who did not receive AC (CI = 1.04 - 1.36). Newer AC were less likely to increase bleeding when compared to older AC (OR = 0.6, CI = 0.4 - 0.9). Females were significantly more likely to be first time bleeders on AC when compared to male first-time bleeders on AC (Table 1). However, race and insurance status did not seem to affect bleeding rates (Table 1). Conclusion: Anticoagulation for PVT in liver cirrhosis increases bleeding events. Newer AC were significantly less likely to increase bleeding when compared to older AC. Females were more likely to bleed on newer AC than males, but race and insurance status did not affect bleeding rates. Limitations of the study include the retrospective nature of the analysis that relied on diagnosis coding, and smaller numbers in our subgroup analyses which limits generalizability. Clinicians should be aware of the significant risk of bleeding when prescribing AC, particularly older AC to cirrhotic patients with PVT. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Predicting Cost-Effectiveness of Generic Versus Brand Dabigatran Using Pharmacometric Estimates among Patients with Atrial Fibrillation in the United States

ABSTRACTGeneric entry of newer anticoagulants is expected to decrease the costs of atrial fibrillation management. However, when making switches between brand and generic medications, bioequivalence failures are possible. The objectives of this study were to predict and compare the lifetime cost-effectiveness of brand dabigatran with hypothetical future generics. Markov micro-simulations were modified to predict the lifetime costs and quality-adjusted life years of patients on either brand or generic dabigatran from a U.S. private payer perspective. Event rates for generics were predicted using previously developed pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic models. The analyses showed that generic dabigatran with lower-than-brand systemic exposure was dominant. Meanwhile, generic dabigatran with extremely high systemic exposure was not cost-effective compared to the brand reference. Cost-effectiveness of generic medications cannot always be assumed as shown in this example. Combined use of pharmacometric and pharmacoeconomic models can assist in decision making between brand and generic pharmacotherapies.

Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: Reviewing Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment Strategies

This review discusses cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), including diagnosis and treatment strategies, a rare class of stroke that, if unrecognized or untreated, can have devastating effects. Thrombosis of one or many cerebral veins leads to propagation of thrombosis and impaired cerebral venous drainage. Diagnosis is made using a combination of history and imaging, particularly computed tomography (CT) venogram, which demonstrates thrombosis. Currently, acute treatment consists of heparin infusion with transition to long-term oral anticoagulation. Further research, especially on prevention, endovascular therapy, and the role of newer anticoagulants (direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]) is necessary and ongoing.

Venous Thromboembolism: Role of the Clinical Laboratory in Diagnosis and Management

Background Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cause of cardiovascular illness and is projected to double in incidence by 2050. It is a spectrum of disease that includes deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE). In February 2016, the American College of Chest Physicians provided updated management guidelines for DVT and PE to address some of the unresolved questions from the previous version and to provide recommendations related to newer anticoagulants. Content Here we review current concepts for screening, diagnosis, thromboprophylaxis, and management of DVT and PE. We also describe the management of VTE in acute, long-term, and extended phases of treatment. Thrombophilia testing is rarely necessary and should be used judiciously; the laboratory can serve an important role in preventing unnecessary testing. The direct oral anticoagulants are as effective as conventional treatment and are preferred agents except in the case of cancer. The initial management of PE should be based on risk stratification including the use of D-dimer testing. Thrombolysis is used in cases of hemodynamically unstable PE and not for low-risk patients who can be treated on an outpatient basis. Summary This review is intended to provide readers with updated guidelines for screening, testing, prophylaxis, and management from various organizations.

NOVEL ANTICOAGULANTS BEYOND HEPARIN AND WARFARIN

Objective: The objective of the study is to know about newer anticoagulant drugs.Method: The Vitamin K adversaries are the single type of oral anticoagulant in the pharmaceutical, and which is endorsed for long-haul utilize.What is more, the Vitamin K adversaries are exceedingly successful, so it is utilized to avert, and treatment of most thrombotic infections in patients,the noteworthy interpatient and intrapatient are additionally fluctuation in measurement response, and the thin restorative medication record andthe more quantities of medication and dietary communications related with these specialists have lead clinicians, patients, and examiners to scanfor different operators. The three new orally controlled anticoagulants are apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban, which are in the late periods ofprogression and a couple of others they are basically entering (or traveling through), the earlier times of examinations. Those most recent anticoagulantdrugs are being contemplated just for the avoidance and furthermore the treatment of venous for the thromboembolism, and the treatment of intensecoronary conduit disorders, and furthermore the counteractive action of stroke in patients influenced by atrial fibrillation.Results: The pharmacological action of the three new orally controlled anticoagulants is apixaban, dabigatran, and rivaroxaban completely reviewedand compared with warfarin.Conclusion: We are compared the newer anticoagulant with warfarin and discussed about advantages of newer anticoagulants.

Use of Anticoagulants Remains a Significant Threat to Timely Hip Fracture Surgery

Introduction: Hip fracture remains the biggest single source of morbidity and mortality in the elderly trauma population, and any intervention focused on quality improvement and system efficiency is beneficial for both patients and clinicians. Two of the variables contributory to improving care and efficiency are time to theater and length of stay, with the overall goal being to improve care as reflected within the achievement of best practice tariff. One of the biggest barriers to optimizing these variables is preinjury anticoagulation. Method: Building on our previous work with warfarin in this population, we utilized a regional hip fracture collaborative network collecting prospective data through the National Hip Fracture Database with custom fields pertaining to all agents, including novel oral anticoagulants. Results: In all, 1965 hip fracture patients median age 83 years (1639 not anticoagulated) were admitted to the 5 centers over 12 months. Median length of stay was 20.71 days; time to theater 23.09 hours, and the populations (anticoagulated vs control) were evenly matched for injury. Anticoagulated patients were delayed to theater ( P ≤ .001), were inpatients for longer ( P ≤ .001) and gained less best practice tariff ( P ≤ .05). All variables per agent were noted and the impact of each assessed. Conclusions: Despite the widespread use of newer anticoagulants, popular due to unmonitored reversal and administration, patients stay longer in hospital and wait longer for surgery than nonanticoagulated patients of the same age and injury. Contemporary perioperative practices impact negatively on the ability to perform timely surgery on hip fracture patients. We propose a guideline specific to the management of anticoagulation in the hip fracture population to aid the optimum preparation of patients for theater, achievement of timely surgery, and potentially reduce length of stay.