Coagulopathy management of multiple injured patients – a comprehensive literature review of the European guideline 2019

The European guideline on the management of trauma-induced major bleeding and coagulopathy summarises the most relevant recommendations for trauma coagulopathy management.center dot The management of trauma-induced major bleeding should interdisciplinary follow algorithms which distinguish between life-threatening and non-life-threatening bleeding.center dot Point-of-care viscoelastic methods (VEM) assist target-controlled haemostatic treatment. Neither conventional coagulation assays nor VEM should delay treatment in life-threatening trauma-induced bleeding.center dot Adjustments may be rational due to local circumstances, including the availability of blood products, pharmaceuticals, and employees

Reply to: “Hysterectomy versus continuing conservative management: which is better for disseminated intravascular coagulation?”; Shinya Matsuzaki, MD, PhD, Yoshikazu Nagase, MD, Masayuki Endo, MD, PhD, Tadashi Kimura, MD, PhD

Purpose!#!Enzymes with epigenetic functions play an essential part in development of cancer. However, the significance of epigenetic changes in cervical carcinoma as a prognostic factor has not been fully investigated. Nuclear receptor corepressor (NCoR) presents itself as a potentially important element for epigenetic modification and as a potential prognostic aspect in cervical cancer.!##!Methods!#!By immunohistochemical staining of 250 tumor samples, the expression strength of NCoR was measured and evaluated by immunoreactive score (IRS) in the nucleus and cytoplasm.!##!Results!#!A low expression of NCoR in our patients was a disadvantage in overall survival. Expression of NCoR was negatively correlated with viral oncoprotein E6, acetylated histone H3 acetyl K9 and FIGO status, and positively correlated to p53.!##!Conclusions!#!Our study has identified epigenetic modification of tumor cells thus seems to be of relevance in cervical cancer as well for diagnosis, as a marker or as a potential therapeutic target in patients with advanced cervical carcinoma

cross-sectional study

Objective: Research on health services for immigrants has mostly been concerned with access barriers but rarely with appropriateness and responsiveness of care. We assessed whether appropriateness and responsiveness of care depend on migration status, using provision of neuraxial anaesthesia (NA) during labour as indicator. In relation to their migration status, we analysed whether (1) women undergoing elective or secondary/urgent secondary caesarean sections (ESCS) appropriately receive NA (instead of general anaesthesia), (2) women delivering vaginally appropriately receive NA and (3) women objecting to NA, for example, for religious reasons, may deliver vaginally without receiving NA (provider responsiveness). Design: Cross- sectional study. Setting: Three obstetric hospitals in Berlin, Germany. Methods: Questionnaire survey covering 6391 women with migration history (first and second generations) and non-immigrant women giving birth; data linkage with routine obstetric data. We assessed the effects of migrant status, German language proficiency, religion and education on the provision of NA (primary outcome) after adjusting for other maternal and obstetric parameters. Results: The chance of receiving NA for elective/ESCS was independent of migrant status after controlling for confounding variables (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.33). In vaginal deliveries, first (but not second) generation women (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.95), women with low German language skills (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.99) and women with low educational attainment (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82) had lower chances of receiving NA; there was no evidence of overprovision among women with strong affinity to Islam (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.94). Conclusions: We found evidence for underprovision of care among first-generation immigrants, among women with low German language proficiency and particularly among all women with low educational attainment, irrespective of migration status. There was no evidence for overprovision of care to immigrant women, either inappropriately (general anaesthesia for ESCS) or because of low provider responsiveness (no opt-out for NA in vaginal delivery)

Comparing provision and appropriateness of health care between immigrants and non-immigrants in Germany using the example of neuraxial anaesthesia during labour: cross-sectional study

Razum O, Reiss K, Breckenkamp J, et al. Comparing provision and appropriateness of health care between immigrants and non-immigrants in Germany using the example of neuraxial anaesthesia during labour: cross-sectional study. BMJ Open. 2017;7(8): e015913.Objective Research on health services for immigrants has mostly been concerned with access barriers but rarely with appropriateness and responsiveness of care. We assessed whether appropriateness and responsiveness of care depend on migration status, using provision of neuraxial anaesthesia (NA) during labour as indicator. In relation to their migration status, we analysed whether (1) women undergoing elective or secondary/urgent secondary caesarean sections (ESCS) appropriately receive NA (instead of general anaesthesia), (2) women delivering vaginally appropriately receive NA and (3) women objecting to NA, for example, for religious reasons, may deliver vaginally without receiving NA (provider responsiveness). Design Cross-sectional study. Setting Three obstetric hospitals in Berlin, Germany. Methods Questionnaire survey covering 6391 women with migration history (first and second generations) and non-immigrant women giving birth; data linkage with routine obstetric data. We assessed the effects of migrant status, German language proficiency, religion and education on the provision of NA (primary outcome) after adjusting for other maternal and obstetric parameters. Results The chance of receiving NA for elective/ESCS was independent of migrant status after controlling for confounding variables (adjusted OR (aOR) 0.93, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.33). In vaginal deliveries, first (but not second) generation women (aOR 0.79, 95% CI 0.65 to 0.95), women with low German language skills (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.58 to 0.99) and women with low educational attainment (aOR 0.62, 95% CI 0.47 to 0.82) had lower chances of receiving NA; there was no evidence of overprovision among women with strong affinity to Islam (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.63 to 0.94). Conclusions We found evidence for underprovision of care among first-generation immigrants, among women with low German language proficiency and particularly among all women with low educational attainment, irrespective of migration status. There was no evidence for overprovision of care to immigrant women, either inappropriately (general anaesthesia for ESCS) or because of low provider responsiveness (no opt-out for NA in vaginal delivery)

Indications for the Use of Therapeutic Plasma in Adult Patients

Background: Different preparations for therapeutic plasma are available on the market. The German hemotherapy guideline has been completely updated in 2020 and, for this purpose, has reviewed the evidence for the most frequent clinical indications for the use of therapeutic plasma in adult patients. Summary: The German hemotherapy guideline has reviewed the evidence for the following indications for the use of therapeutic plasma in the adult patient: massive transfusion and bleeding, severe chronic liver disease, disseminated intravascular coagulation, plasma exchange for TTP, and the rare hereditary FV and FXI deficiencies. The updated recommendations for each indication are discussed on the background of existing guidelines and new evidence. For most indications, the quality of evidence is low due to missing prospective randomized trials or rare diseases. However, due to the balanced content of coagulation factors and inhibitors therapeutic plasma remains an important pharmacological treatment option in clinical situations with an already activated coagulation system. Unfortunately, the physiological content of coagulation factors and inhibitors limits the efficacy in clinical scenarios with high blood losses. Key Messages: The evidence for the use of therapeutic plasma for the replacement of coagulation factors due to massive bleeding is poor. Coagulation factor concentrates seem to be more appropriate for this indication, although the quality of evidence is also low. However, for diseases with an activated coagulation or endothelial system (e.g., disseminated intravascular coagulation, TTP) the balanced replacement of coagulation factors, inhibitors, and proteases may be of advantage

Conservative management of abnormally invasive placenta complicated by local hyperfibrinolysis and beginning disseminated intravascular coagulation

Introduction: Abnormally invasive placenta (AIP) is often associated with high maternal morbidity. In surgical treatment, caesarean hysterectomy or partial uterine resection may lead to high perioperative maternal blood loss. A conservative treatment by leaving the placenta in utero after caesarean delivery of the baby is an option to preserve fertility and to reduce peripartum hysterectomy-related morbidity. Nevertheless, due to increased placental coagulation activity as well as consumption of clotting factors, a disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC)-like state with secondary late postpartum bleeding can occur. Purpose: Systematic review after the presentation of a case of conservative management of placenta percreta with secondary partial uterine wall resection due to vaginal bleeding, complicated by local hyperfibrinolysis and consecutive systemic decrease in fibrinogen levels. Methods: Systematic PubMed database search was done until August 2019 without any restriction of publication date or journal. Results: Among 58 publications, a total of 11 reported on DIC-like symptoms in the conservative management of AIP, in the median on day 59 postpartum. In most cases, emergency hysterectomy was performed, which led to an almost immediate normalization of coagulation status but was accompanied with high maternal blood loss. In two cases, fertility-preserving conservative management could be continued after successful medical therapy. Conclusion: Based on these results, we suggest routinely monitoring of the coagulation parameters next to signs of infection in the postpartum check-ups during conservative management of AIP. Postpartum tranexamic acid oral dosage should be discussed when fibrinogen levels are decreasing and D-Dimers are increasing

A Matter of Caution: Coagulation Parameters in COVID-19 Do Not Differ from Patients with Ruled-Out SARS-CoV-2 Infection in the Emergency Department

COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) patients often show excessive activation of coagulation, associated with increased risk of thrombosis. However, the diagnostic value of coagulation at initial clinical evaluation is not clear. We present an in-depth analysis of coagulation in patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with suspected COVID-19. N = 58 patients with clinically suspected COVID-19 in the ED were enrolled. N = 17 subsequently tested positive using SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) swabs, while in n = 41 COVID-19 was ruled-out. We analyzed both standard and extended coagulation parameters, including thromboplastin time (INR), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), antithrombin, plasminogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1), D-dimers, and fibrinogen at admission, as well as α2-antiplasmin, activated protein C -resistance, factor V, lupus anticoagulant, protein C, protein S, and von Willebrand diagnostics. These data, as well as mortality and further laboratory parameters, were compared across groups based on COVID-19 diagnosis and severity of disease. In patients with COVID-19, we detected frequent clotting abnormalities, including D-dimers. The comparison cohort in the ED, however, showed similarly altered coagulation. Furthermore, parameters previously shown to distinguish between severe and moderate COVID-19 courses, such as platelets, plasminogen, fibrinogen, aPTT, INR, and antithrombin, as well as multiple nonroutine coagulation analytes showed no significant differences between patients with and without COVID-19 when presenting to the ED. At admission to the ED the prevalence of coagulopathy in patients with COVID-19 is high, yet comparable to the non-COVID-19 cohort presenting with respiratory symptoms. Nevertheless, coagulopathy might worsen during disease progression with the need of subsequent risk stratification

Postdural puncture headache after neuraxial anesthesia: incidence and risk factors

Hintergrund/Ziel der Arbeit: Der postpunktionelle Kopfschmerz (PKS) ist eine Komplikation nach rückenmarknahen Verfahren (RA) mit erheblichem Krankheitswert. Ziel der Untersuchung war es, die Inzidenz des PKS in 2 großen operativen Kollektiven zu untersuchen, mögliche Risikofaktoren zu identifizieren und den Einfluss auf die Krankenhausverweildauer zu untersuchen. Material und Methoden: In einer retrospektiven Analyse des Zeitraums 2010–2012 wurden 341 unfallchirurgische (UCH) und 2113 geburtsmedizinische (GEB) Patient*innen nach Spinalanästhesie (SPA) analysiert. In der statistischen Auswertung (SPSS-23) kamen univariate Analysen mittels Mann-Whitney-U-, Chi2- und Student’s t‑Test sowie logistische Regressionsanalysen zur Anwendung. Ergebnisse: Die Inzidenz des PKS betrug in der UCH-Gruppe 5,9 % und in der GEB-Gruppe 1,8 %. Patient*innen mit PKS in der UCH wiesen ein jüngeres Patientenalter (38 vs. 47 Jahre, p = 0,011), einen geringeren BMI (23,5 vs. 25,2, p = 0,037) sowie ein niedrigeres Köpergewicht (70,5 kg vs. 77 kg, p = 0,006) als Patient*innen ohne PKS auf. Dabei konnten das Alter mit einer „odds ratio“ (OR 97,5 % Konfidenzintervall [KI]) von 0,963 (97,5% KI 0,932–0,991, p = 0,015) und das Köpergewicht mit einer OR von 0,956 (97,5 % KI 0,920–0,989, p = 0,014) als unabhängige Risikofaktoren für die Entstehung eines PKS identifiziert werden. In der GEB wies die SPA eine höhere Inzidenz des PKS auf als die kombinierte Spinalepiduralanästhesie (CSE) (8,6 % vs. 1,2 %, p < 0,001). Dabei erwies sich das Verfahren mit einer OR von 0,049 (97,5 % KI 0,023–0,106, p < 0,001) als unabhängiger Risikofaktor für die Entstehung eines PKS. In beiden Gruppen war der PKS mit einem verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthalt assoziiert (UCH-Gruppe 4 vs. 2 Tage, p = 0,001; GEB-Gruppe 6 vs. 4 Tage, p < 0.0005). Diskussion: Die Inzidenz des PKS nach SPA/CSE war in unserer Untersuchung in den beschriebenen Patientengruppen unterschiedlich, mit einem deutlich höheren Anteil in der UCH-Gruppe. Alter, Konstitution und Verfahren waren hinweisgebende Risikofaktoren eines PKS. In Anbetracht der funktionellen Einschränkungen (Mobilisation, Versorgung des Neugeborenen) und des verlängerten Krankenhausaufenthalts, sollten zukünftige Studien eine frühe Behandlung des PKS untersuchen.Background/objective: Postdural puncture headache (PDPH) is a severe complication after spinal anesthesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence of PDPH in two different operative cohorts and to identify risk factors for its occurrence as well as to analyze its influence on the duration of hospital stay. Material and methods: In a retrospective study over a period of 3 years (2010–2012), 341 orthopedic surgery (ORT) and 2113 obstetric (OBS) patients were evaluated after spinal anesthesia (SPA). Data were statistically analyzed using (SPSS-23) univariate analyses with the Mann-Whitney U‑test, χ2-test and Student’s t-test as well as logistic regression analysis. Results: The incidence of PDPH was 5.9% in the ORT cohort and 1.8% in the OBS cohort. Patients with PDPH in the ORT cohort were significantly younger (median 38 years vs. 47 years, p = 0.011), had a lower body weight (median 70.5 kg vs. 77 kg, p = 0.006) and a lower body mass index (median 23.5 vs. 25.2, p = 0.037). Body weight (odds ratio (97.5 % Confidence Intervall [CI]), OR 0.956: 97.5% CI 0.920–0.989, p = 0.014) as well as age (OR 0.963: 97.5% CI 0.932–0.991, p = 0.015) were identified as independent risk factors for PDPH. In OBS patients, PDPH occurred more frequently after spinal epidural anesthesia than after combined spinal epidural anesthesia (8.6% vs. 1.2%, p < 0.001) and the type of neuraxial anesthesia was identified as an independent risk factor for PDPH (OR 0.049; 97.5% CI 0.023–0.106, p < 0.001). In both groups the incidence of PDPH was associated with a longer hospital stay (ORT patients 4 days vs. 2 days, p = 0.001; OBS patients 6 days vs. 4 days, p < 0.0005). Conclusion: The incidence of PDPH was different in the two groups with a higher incidence in the ORT but considerably lower than in the literature. Age, constitution and type of neuraxial anesthesia were identified as risk factors of PDPH. Considering the functional imitations (mobilization, neonatal care) and a longer hospital stay, future studies should investigate the impact of an early treatment of PDPH