169,796 research outputs found

    Patients with Atrial Fibrillation receiving NOACs: The boundary between appropriate and inappropriate dose

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    Since their introduction in 2010, non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOACs) changed the landscape of stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). Because of their favorable benefit-harm profile, the fixed dose administration, the no need for laboratory monitoring and dose adjustment, NOAC prescription increased rapidly and overcome the use of vitamin K antagonists (VKAs

    Shock and diffuse ST-elevation in a patient with coronavirus disease-2019 disease

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    The infection by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is associated with significant cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Cardiac events require prompt diagnosis and management, also in the SARS-CoV-2 era. A 58-year-old male, heavy smoker and with known SARS-CoV-2 infection, abruptly developed severe hypotension and asthenia. At patients' home, emergency physicians found hemodynamic compromise with diffuse ST-elevation at electrocardiography. The patient was rapidly moved to the cardiac catheterization laboratory, and any contact with other health-care workers was avoided. Coronary angiography excluded coronary artery disease. At admission to the coronavirus disease-2019 unit, an increase in inflammatory markers and liver enzymes with normal troponin levels were observed. Bedside lung ultrasonography showed interstitial syndrome and bilateral pleural effusion, whereas echocardiography showed large and diffuse pericardial effusion with a swinging heart. The hemodynamic status improved after gentle fluid therapy such suggesting potential concomitant sepsis and pericardiocentesis was not performed. At this time, a computed tomography scan showed a widespread neoplasm in the right lung involving the subclavian artery and vein and the thoracic lymph nodes. The histology confirmed the diagnosis of a locally advanced pulmonary adenocarcinoma. One week after admission, the patient died for worsening respiratory failure. Not delayed primary PCI remains the standard of care for patients with suspected ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) in the SARS-CoV-2 era. A diagnostic deepening for potential STEMI-mimicker (known to be associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection and to patients' comorbidities) should be considered, and a multidisciplinary approach is needed in these patients

    Computed tomography to assess risk of death in acute pulmonary embolism : a meta-analysis

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    The aim of this study was to evaluate whether right ventricle dilation at computed tomography (CT) angiography can be used to assess the risk of death in patients with acute pulmonary embolism. Medline and EMBASE were searched up to April 30, 2013. Studies reporting on the association between right ventricle dilation (right-to-left ventricle diameter) or dysfunction (inter-ventricular septal bowing) at CT angiography and death at 30 days, as well as at 3 months in patients with acute pulmonary embolism, were included in a systematic review and meta-analysis. CT-detected right ventricle dilation was associated with an increased 30 day-mortality in all-comers with pulmonary embolism (OR 2.08 (95% CI 1.63-2.66); p0.00001) and in haemodynamically stable patients (OR 1.64 (95% CI 1.06-2.52); p=0.03), as well as with death due to pulmonary embolism (OR 7.35 (95% CI 3.59-15.09); p0.00001). An association between right ventricle dilation and 3-month mortality was also observed (OR 4.65 (95% CI 1.79-12.07); p=0.002). Right-to-left ventricle dilation as assessed by CT angiography can be used to evaluate risk of death in all-comers with pulmonary embolism and in haemodynamically stable patients

    Prognostic role of embolic burden assessed at computed tomography angiography in patients with acute pulmonary embolism : systematic review and meta-analysis

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    Summary: Background: In patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE), risk stratification is indicated for tailoring of both diagnostic strategies and acute treatment. Whether embolic burden assessed at computed tomography (CT) angiography has a role in risk stratification in these patients is debated. Objective: To systematically review and perform a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of CT-assessed burden associated with embolic obstruction and embolic localization in the prognostic stratification of patients with acute PE. Methods: We performed a systematic search in EMBASE and MEDLINE up until 30 June 2013. Studies reporting on the 30-day outcome of patients with confirmed PE and CT-assessed embolic burden were included. The study outcome was death. Results: Thirty studies reporting on the prognostic value of CT-assessed embolic burden met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review; of these, 19 were included in the meta-analysis. Five studies (2215 patients) were included in the analysis of localization: an association between embolus localization in the central arteries and 30-day mortality was found after heterogeneity was resolved (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.29-3.89, I2 = 0%). No correlation was observed between obstruction index (according to the Qanadli scoring system) and 30-day mortality after heterogeneity was reduced (16 studies, 3884 patients, OR 1.22, 95% CI 0.99-1.51, I2 = 27%). Conclusion: Localization of emboli assessed at CT angiography can be used for risk stratification in patients with acute PE. Moreover, no correlation was observed between obstruction index and prognosis

    Direct oral anticoagulants in patients with VTE and cancer : a systematic review and meta-analysis

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    BACKGROUND: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAs) have been shown to be as effective and at least as safe as conventional anticoagulation for the prevention of recurrences in patients with VTE. Whether this is the case in patients with cancer-associated VTE remains undefined. METHODS: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials with the aim of assessing the efficacy and safety of DOAs in patients with VTE and cancer. MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were searched up to December 2013 with no language restriction. The primary outcome of the analysis was recurrent VTE. Data on major bleeding (MB) and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding were analyzed. Data were pooled and compared by ORs and 95% CIs. RESULTS: Overall, 10 studies comparing DOAs with conventional anticoagulation for treatment of VTE including patients with cancer were included in the review. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis (two with dabigatran, two with rivaroxaban, one with edoxaban, and one with apixaban), accounting for a total of 1,132 patients. VTE recurred in 23 of 595 (3.9%) and in 32 of 537 (6.0%) patients with cancer treated with DOAs and conventional treatment, respectively (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.37-1.10; I2, 0%). MB occurred in 3.2% and 4.2% of patients receiving DOAs and conventional treatment, respectively (OR, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.41-1.44; I2, 0%). CONCLUSIONS: DOAs seem to be as effective and safe as conventional treatment for the prevention of VTE in patients with cancer. Further clinical trials in patients with cancer-associated VTE should be performed to confirm these results
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