1.
Thromboelastography-Guided Therapy Enhances Patient Blood Management in Cirrhotic Patients: A Meta-analysis Based on Randomized Controlled Trials
Hartmann J, Dias JD, Pivalizza EG, Garcia-Tsao G
Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis. 2022
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Patients with cirrhosis often have abnormal hemostasis, with increased risk of hemorrhage and thrombosis. Thromboelastography provides a rapid assessment of the coagulation status and can guide product transfusions in adult patients with cirrhosis. This study aimed to determine whether the use of thromboelastography in adult patients with cirrhosis decreases blood product use and impacts adverse events or mortality compared with standard practice. A registered (PROSPERO CRD42020192458) systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing thromboelastography-guided hemostatic management versus standard practice (control). Co-primary outcomes were the number of transfused platelet units and fresh frozen plasma (FFP) units. Secondary outcomes were mortality, adverse events, utilization of individual blood products, blood loss or excessive bleeding events, hospital/intensive care unit stay, and liver transplant/intervention outcomes. The search identified 260 articles, with five RCTs included in the meta-analysis. Platelet use was five times lower with thromboelastography versus the control, with a relative risk of 0.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.03-0.90]; p = 0.04), but FFP use did not differ significantly. Thromboelastography was associated with less blood product (p < 0.001), FFP + platelets (p < 0.001), and cryoprecipitate (p < 0.001) use. No differences were reported in bleeding rates or longer term mortality between groups, with the thromboelastography group having lower mortality at 7 days versus the control (relative risk [95% CI] = 0.52 [0.30-0.91]; p = 0.02). Thromboelastography-guided therapy in patients with cirrhosis enhances patient blood management by reducing use of blood products without increasing complications.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with cirrhosis (5 studies, n= 302).
Intervention
Thromboelastography-guided haemostatic management.
Comparison
Standard coagulation testing (standard practice).
Outcome
Platelet use was five times lower with thromboelastography vs. standard practice, with a relative risk of 0.17 (95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.03-0.90]), but fresh frozen plasma (FFP) use did not differ significantly. Thromboelastography was associated with less blood product, FFP + platelets, and cryoprecipitate use. No differences were reported in bleeding rates or longer-term mortality between groups, with the thromboelastography group having lower mortality at 7 days vs. standard practice (relative risk [95% CI] = 0.52 [0.30-0.91]).
2.
Risk-assessment models for VTE and bleeding in hospitalized medical patients: an overview of systematic reviews
Darzi AJ, Repp AB, Spencer FA, Morsi RZ, Charide R, Etxeandia-Ikobaltzeta I, Bauer KA, Burnett AE, Cushman M, Dentali F, et al
Blood advances. 2020;4(19):4929-4944
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Multiple risk-assessment models (RAMs) for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in hospitalized medical patients have been developed. To inform the 2018 American Society of Hematology (ASH) guidelines on VTE, we conducted an overview of systematic reviews to identify and summarize evidence related to RAMs for VTE and bleeding in medical inpatients. We searched Epistemonikos, the Cochrane Database, Medline, and Embase from 2005 through June 2017 and then updated the search in January 2020 to identify systematic reviews that included RAMs for VTE and bleeding in medical inpatients. We conducted study selection, data abstraction and quality assessment (using the Risk of Bias in Systematic Reviews [ROBIS] tool) independently and in duplicate. We described the characteristics of the reviews and their included studies, and compared the identified RAMs using narrative synthesis. Of 15 348 citations, we included 2 systematic reviews, of which 1 had low risk of bias. The reviews included 19 unique studies reporting on 15 RAMs. Seven of the RAMs were derived using individual patient data in which risk factors were included based on their predictive ability in a regression analysis. The other 8 RAMs were empirically developed using consensus approaches, risk factors identified from a literature review, and clinical expertise. The RAMs that have been externally validated include the Caprini, Geneva, IMPROVE, Kucher, and Padua RAMs. The Padua, Geneva, and Kucher RAMs have been evaluated in impact studies that reported an increase in appropriate VTE prophylaxis rates. Our findings informed the ASH guidelines. They also aim to guide health care practitioners in their decision-making processes regarding appropriate individual prophylactic management.
PICO Summary
Population
Adult patients hospitalized for an acute, critical, or chronic medical illness. (2 systematic reviews).
Intervention
Overview of systematic reviews to identify and describe multiple risk-assessment models (RAMs) and their clinical utility for venous thromboembolism (VTE) and bleeding.
Comparison
Standard care without the use of RAMs or a different RAM from the one used in the intervention.
Outcome
Fifteen unique RAMs for VTE were identified, seven were derived from individual participant data and eight were developed empirically using consensus approaches, risk factors identified from a literature review, and clinical expertise. Five systematic reviews described RAMs that have been externally validated and three systematic reviews described RAMs evaluated in terms of thromboprophylaxis rates or clinical outcomes.
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Management of Iron Overload in Resource Poor Nations: A Systematic Review of Phlebotomy and Natural Chelators
Orisakwe OE, Amadi CN, Frazzoli C
J Toxicol. 2020;2020:4084538
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Editor's Choice
Abstract
Iron is an essential element and the most abundant trace metal in the body involved in oxygen transport and oxygen sensing, electron transfer, energy metabolism, and DNA synthesis. Excess labile and unchelated iron can catalyze the formation of tissue-damaging radicals and induce oxidative stress. English abstracts were identified in PubMed and Google Scholar using multiple and various search terms based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Full-length articles were selected for systematic review, and secondary and tertiary references were developed. Although bloodletting or phlebotomy remains the gold standard in the management of iron overload, this systematic review is an updated account of the pitfalls of phlebotomy and classical synthetic chelators with scientific justification for the use of natural iron chelators of dietary origin in resource-poor nations.
PICO Summary
Population
Patients with iron overload due to various conditions (neurodegenerative diseases, cancer, metabolic syndrome, sickle cell disease) in resource-poor nations (38 studies).
Intervention
Dietary sources of iron-chelators: spices/turmeric, staple crops, teas, berries, citrus/grape seed, garcinia kola, plant extracts, shrimp.
Comparison
Phlebotomy.
Outcome
Phlebotomy remains the gold standard in the management of iron overload. This systematic review is an updated account of the pitfalls of phlebotomy and classical synthetic chelators with scientific justification for the use of natural iron chelators of dietary origin in resource-poor nations.