1.
Venous thromboembolism is linked to severity of disease in COVID-19 patients: A systematic literature review and exploratory meta-analysis
Srivastava R, Parveen R, Mishra P, Saha N, Bajpai R, Agarwal NB
International journal of clinical practice. 2021;75(12):e14910
-
-
Free full text
-
Abstract
PURPOSE Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) may predispose to venous thromboembolism (VTE) and arterial thromboembolism because of excessive inflammation, hypoxia, immobilisation and diffuse intravascular coagulation. The understanding of the association might be helpful in early vigilant monitoring and better management of COVID-19 patients at high risk. Thus, in this meta-analysis, we aim to assess the association of VTE with the severity of COVID-19 disease. METHODS A literature search was conducted on PubMed and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials using the keywords "COVID-19 and thromboembolism" and "COVID-19 and embolism," till 20 February 2021. Thirteen studies including 6648 COVID-19 patients were incorporated in this systematic review and exploratory meta-analysis. RESULTS The analysis revealed nearly three times more risk than intensive care unit (ICU) care in patients with VTE compared to non-VTE patients (RR: 2.78; 95% CI: 1.75-4.39; P < .001; I(2) : 65.1%). Patients with pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis are at increased risk of being admitted to ICU (RR: 2.21; 95% CI: 1.86-2.61; P < .001; I(2) : 41.2%) and (RR: 2.69; 95% CI: 2.37-3.06; P < .001; I(2) : 0.0%), respectively. The quality assessment indicated that the included studies were of fair quality. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that VTE either deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism may have a negative effect on the health status of COVID-19 patients. This study highlights the need to consider measures for reducing thromboembolism risk amongst COVID-19 patients.
2.
Evaluation of efficacy of Valsalva for attenuating needle puncture pain in first time nonremunerated voluntary plateletpheresis donors: A prospective, randomized controlled trial
Srivastava A, Kumar S, Agarwal A, Khetan D, Katharia R, Mishra P, Khati S, Gautam S, Sandeep K
Asian journal of transfusion science. 2021;15(1):68-74
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plateletpheresis is generally safe but may have adverse reactions. Adverse reactions can negatively influence donor recruitment and retention. Valsalva is a proven method of attenuating pain caused by venipuncture. AIMS The aim was to evaluate the efficacy of the Valsalva maneuver on the attenuation of needle pain and donor anxiety. SETTINGS AND DESIGN This prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted between November 2015 and April 2016 at the Department of Transfusion Medicine. SUBJECTS AND METHODS One-hundred and sixty consecutive donors were grouped into control group (C) and Valsalva group (V) each of sample size 80. The Valsalva group performed a Valsalva maneuver and control did nothing before the venipuncture. Anxiety and pain were scored using a 10 cm visual analog scale (VAS). Severity was graded as VAS = 0 defines no pain and anxiety, VAS = 1-3 as mild pain and anxiety, VAS = 4-6 as moderate pain and anxiety, VAS = 7-9 as severe pain and anxiety, whereas VAS = 10 denotes extreme pain and anxiety. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 23 was used for analysis. Independent samples t-test/Mann-Whitney U-test was used to compare between treatment and control group, whereas the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to test the difference between pre- and postobservations. RESULTS In the Valsalva group, post-Valsalva anxiety levels were significantly reduced to (1 [0-2]) from their pre-Valsalva values of (2 [0-3]); (P < 0.001). Pain was significantly lower (2[1-2]) in Valsalva group compared to control (4[2-5]); (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Valsalva reduced both severity of venipuncture pain and anxiety. Valsalva can be performed by donors as it is an easy, painless, and nonpharmacological method of pain and anxiety attenuation.