Identification of 7 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid in chronic subdural hematoma.

We detected a novel kind of bile acid in the content of chronic subdural hematoma. This substance was specifically found in chronic subdural hematoma, and not in subdural hygroma, which is pathologically similar except for the lack of capsular membrane. The compound was identified as 7 alpha-hydroxy-3-oxo-4-cholestenoic acid by high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. The structure was confirmed by the comparison with the chemically synthesized compound. The average contents in chronic subdural hematoma were 658.09 +/- 137.53 ng/ml, while those in normal human plasma were 126.27 +/- 17.73 ng/ml. It was not detected in normal cerebrospinal fluid. The higher level in chronic subdural hematoma than human plasma strongly suggests the local, extrahepatic production of this type of C27 bile acids.     

Neurosurgical Aspects of Unexplained Unconsciousness

Neurosurgical experiences and diagnostic difficulties with unconscious patients without diagnosis included cases of intracranial neplasia, cerebral arteriosclerosis, subdural hematoma, traumatic subcortical hemorrhage, subdural abscess, rheumatic encephalitis, spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage, subacute bacterial endocarditis and emboli, myocardial infarction and emboli, spontaneous subcortical hemorrhage, fat embolism, meningitis, drug intoxication, uremia, cases in which the cause of death was not clearly established, and phycomycosis of the central nervous system.     

Klinische presentatie van het chronisch subduraal hematoom bij ouderen

A 87-year old man was admitted to our hospital with decline in cognition and mobility and visual hallucinations. CT scanning revealed a bilateral chronic subdural hematoma. The hematoma was probably caused by a recent fall, while the patient was using acenocoumarol. Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is a frequently occurring intracranial bleeding in the elderly. It usually occurs after a minor trauma and may present with a variety of symptoms. The differentiation between CSDH and other disorders like dementia can be difficult when the hematoma presents with cognitive decline and neuropsychiatic symptoms, such as hallucinations.     

常规开颅手术和脑室镜治疗硬膜下血肿的对比研究

目的:对比分析常规开颅手术和脑室镜治疗硬膜下血肿的临床疗效。方法:自2012年1月到2013年10月,我科急诊收治的硬膜下血肿病例共63例。其中脑室镜组28例,男16例,女12例,年龄(33.2±9.4)岁;常规开颅组35例,男23例,女12例,年龄30.2±9.4岁。常规开颅组采用传统的大骨瓣开颅术清除颅内血肿,另一组采用脑室镜微创技术清除颅内血肿。结果:脑室镜组和常规开颅组的术前GCS评分分别为4.2±0.7、4.6±0.8,差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。术后第3、7天脑室镜GCS评分明显升高,和常规开颅组相比,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);术后第1、3、7天,脑室镜组的血糖水平明显比常规开颅组下降的速度快,差异具有统计学意义(P0.05);脑室镜组头皮切口长度、骨窗大小明显比常规开颅组要小,血肿清除率大,二者差异有统计学意义;两组预后差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论:脑室镜治疗硬膜下血肿,具有手术时间短,创伤小,术后患者恢复速度快等优点,值得推广。     

Recurrence of Subdural Haematoma in a Population-Based Cohort – Risks and Predictive Factors

Objectives

To estimate the risks of and identify predictors for recurrent subdural haematoma in surgically and conservatively treated patients.

Methods

The cohort comprised all individuals diagnosed with a first-time subdural hematoma in Denmark 1996–2011. Information on potential predictors was retrieved from the Danish health registers. Cumulative recurrence risks were estimated using the Aalen-Johansen estimator. Rate ratios (RR) were estimated using Poisson regression.

Results

Among 10,158 individuals with a subdural hematoma, 1,555 had a recurrent event. The cumulative risk of recurrent subdural hematoma was 9% at 4 weeks after the primary bleeding, increasing to and stabilising at 14% after one year. Predictors associated with recurrence were: Male sex (RR 1.60, 95% CI:1.43–1.80), older age (>70 years compared to 20–49 years; RR 1.41, 95% CI: 1.21–1.65), alcohol addiction (RR 1.20, 95% CI:1.04–1.37), surgical treatment (RR 1.76, 95% CI:1.58–1.96), trauma diagnoses (RR 1.14, 95% CI:1.03–1.27), and diabetes mellitus (RR 1.40, 95% CI:1.11–1.74). Out of a selected combination of risk factors, the highest cumulative 1-year recurrence risks for subdural hematoma of 25% (compared to 14% for all patients) was found in surgically treated males with diabetes mellitus.

Conclusions

The recurrence risk of subdural hematoma is largely limited to the first year. Patient characteristics including co-morbidities greatly influence the recurrence risk of SDH, suggesting that individualized prognostic guidance and follow-up is needed.     

Prevention of cardiovascular complications in manifest arteriosclerosis by the use of Micristine]

A long-term clinical trial in micristin-treated patients suffering from organic arterial circulatory disturbances is reported. Problems of therapy monitoring by determination of the ASA level in plasma and of control of platelet aggregation are discussed. Acute cardiovascular complications (myocardial infarction, stroke, acute vascular occlusion, amputation and angiographically demonstrated progression) were observed. The observation time did not suffice to establish statistically significant differences between micristin therapy anticoagulant treatment and basic cardiovascular therapy. The results are suggestive of a more beneficial effect of anticoagulant treatment.     

双侧慢性硬膜下血肿与单侧慢性硬膜下血肿的临床比较

目的:双侧慢性硬膜下血肿和单侧慢性硬膜下血肿患者的临床比较。方法:将33例双侧慢性硬膜下血肿和119例单侧慢性硬膜下血肿患者的临床表现、诱发因素、CT扫描、术后并发症和疗效进行回顾性对比分析。结果:单侧慢性硬膜下血肿组平均年龄67岁,双侧慢性硬膜下血肿组平均年龄71岁(P>0.05),两组患者均以男性多见(P>0.05)。与单侧慢性硬膜下血肿组相比,双侧慢性硬膜下血肿组头痛/呕吐更常见(P<0.05),使用抗凝/抗血小板药物患者较多(P<0.05),中线移位>5mm少于双侧慢性硬膜下血肿组(P<0.05)。两组患者合并的常见系统疾病、术后并发症和疗效无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:双侧慢性硬膜下血肿易发生于使用抗凝/抗血小板药物的老年患者,颅内压增高征更明显。两组大多数患者术后均恢复良好。     

Long-term anticoagulation. Indications and management.

Each year half a million persons in the United States receive long-term anticoagulant therapy to prevent venous and arterial thromboembolism. Unfortunately, the relative benefits and risks of anticoagulant therapy have not been adequately quantified for many thromboembolic disorders, and the decisions as to whether, for how long, and how intensely to administer anticoagulation are often complex and controversial. Several expert panels have published recommendations for anticoagulant therapy for different thromboembolic disorders; the primary area of disagreement among these panels concerns the optimal intensity of anticoagulation. Recent research and analytic reviews have helped to clarify both the risk factors for and the appropriate diagnostic evaluation of anticoagulant-induced hemorrhage. Clinicians must be aware of the nonhemorrhagic complications of anticoagulant therapy, particularly during pregnancy. The administration of anticoagulants is difficult both in relation to dosing and long-term monitoring. Knowledge of the pharmacology of the anticoagulants, an organized approach to ongoing monitoring, and thorough patient education may facilitate the safe and effective use of these drugs.     

Small Bowel Obstruction Due to Intramural Hematoma During Anticoagulant Therapy—A Non-Surgical Condition

Intramural hematoma of the small bowel should be suspected in any patient with signs or symptoms of small bowel obstruction who is having anticoagulant drug therapy, especially if it is longterm therapy and if the prothrombin time is excessively prolonged. A barium study is indicated and if the roentgen pattern is characteristic, conservative treatment is indicated. Unless there is an associated abdominal lesion requiring operation, most patients will improve in four to six days. Those not improving usually have other complicating conditions.     

Retroperitoneal hematoma with bone resorption around the acetabular component after total hip arthroplasty: a case report and review of the literature

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Vascular complications related to cup-fixating screws penetrating the medial acetabular wall during total hip arthroplasty are not uncommon but rarely are associated with serious adverse events in the late post-operative period. CASE PRESENTATION: We present the case of a 77-year-old Japanese woman who developed progressive extensive bone resorption and large hematoma in the acetabulum 13 years after total hip arthroplasty. On admission to our hospital, she was on oral warfarin (1.5mg/day) for atrial fibrillation. About 5 months after the initiation of anticoagulant therapy, she suffered a major fall followed by massive subcutaneous and pelvic girdle bleeding, predominantly on the medial side of the right thigh, but a fracture or damage of total hip arthroplasty was not evident on an emergency orthopedic evaluation. One year after the accident, a routine follow-up examination showed an asymptomatic osteolytic lesion in the acetabulum on the right pelvis, and 2 years later our patient noticed progressive pain in her right hip during walking. A large osteolytic lesion was noted in the right acetabulum on a plain radiograph. On high-resolution computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, a huge granulomatous lesion in the acetabulum was suggestive of chronic hematoma in intrapelvic and extrapelvic gluteal regions. A closer computed tomography examination showed that one of the screws used for fixation of the acetabular component in the total hip arthroplasty had penetrated the acetabular bone and had reached the pelvic cavity. Surgery was performed in a single session by means of two approaches: anterior midline transperitoneal address to resect the low-density mass lesion followed by posterolateral acetabular implant re-settlement. CONCLUSIONS: Though rare, total hip arthroplasty-related late vascular complications could be serious and potentially affect the limb and quality of life.     

4-Phenyl-4H-pyrans as IK(Ca) channel blockers

4-Phenyl-4H-pyrans have been identified as potent and specific IK(Ca) channel blockers. Their synthesis and structure-activity relationships are described. A selected derivative, rac-11, reduces the infarct volume in a rat subdural hematoma model of traumatic brain injury after iv administration.     

经肱动脉途径冠状动脉介入治疗并发症的预防及处理

目的:评价130例次经肱动脉途径冠状动脉介入治疗(PCI术)局部并发症情况.方法:连续入选2009年3月至2011年12月我院经肱动脉途径冠状动脉PCI术的病例130例次.分析经肱动脉介入治疗操作并发症情况.结果:共24例患者发生了局部并发症,并发症发生率为18.5％.其中穿刺局部发生血肿22例(16.9％),其中1例合并骨筋膜室综合征及正中神经损伤(0.8％),局部神经损伤1例(0.8％),假性动脉瘤1例(0.8％).经处理后血肿全部吸收,最后仍有1例正中神经损伤和1例假性动脉瘤未能完全康复.结论:经肱动脉途径冠状动脉PCI术并发症发生率较高,熟悉肱动脉穿刺方法、掌握标准的压迫止血包扎方案、术后肢体夹板制动、并对其并发症有足够的认识和处理对策的充分准备可以减少并发症及其不良后果的发生.     

Effects of oral anticoagulation with various INR levels in deep vein thrombosis cases

AIM: In order to avoid the complications associated with thromboembolic disease, patients with this condition typically are placed on long-term anticoagulant therapy. This report compares bleeding complications in this patient population by level of achieved INR. MATERIALS AND METHODS: During the 6-year period between January 1997 and January 2003, 386 patients with venous thromboembolism of the lower extremities were admitted to the Cardiovascular Surgery Outpatient Clinic of Alsancak State Hospital. Of the 386 patients, 198 (51.2%) were women, and the average age was 52.3 years. All diagnoses of venous thromboembolism were confirmed by means of Doppler ultrasonography. Further investigation showed occult neoplasms in 22 (5.6%) of the cases. We excluded the patients with occult disease, and the remaining 364 constituted our study population. RESULTS: Oral anticoagulation was standardized at 6 months' duration in all cases. We divided the patients into two groups. Group I consisted of 192 patients (52.7%) with INR values between 1.9 and 2.5; Group II comprised 172 patients with INR values between 2.6 and 3.5. Complications in each group were assessed and compared. The minor hemorrhage rate was 1.04% in Group I and 4.06% in Group II. The major hemorrhage rate was also 1.04% in Group I and was 6.3% in Group II. We determined that the complication rates for both minor and major hemorrhage were significant in patients with INR values above 2.5. CONCLUSION: Oral anticoagulation must be followed closely in patients with venous thromboembolism. Higher INR levels are associated with significant increases in hemorrhage and associated complications. INR values of 2.0 to 2.5 are sufficient for long-term anticoagulant therapy, ensuring ideal anticoagulation levels and minimizing the complication rate.     

Low-intensity international normalized ratio (INR) oral anticoagulant therapy in Chinese patients with mechanical heart valve prostheses

The purpose of this study was to define the optimal international normalized ratio (INR) intensity of oral anticoagulant therapy in Chinese patients with valve replacement surgery. We studied 1,658 patients who underwent mechanical valve replacement in Beijing Anzhen Hospital; the focus of the study was on correlation between intensity of anticoagulant therapy and thromboembolism/hemorrhage complications. We further followed up 1,508 patients for 46 ± 16 months (range 1–61 months). Average INR was 2.13 ± 0.56, and warfarin dose was 3.09 ± 0.85 mg/day. The incidence rate of anticoagulation-related thromboembolism was 1.17 per 100 patient-years (%/pt-y), and the incidence rate of anticoagulation-related hemorrhage was 2.02%/pt-y. The incidence rate of total complications (i.e., combined thromboembolism and hemorrhages) was 3.24%/pt-y. The rate of total complications in group on INR 1.3–2.3 (aortic valve replacement: 1.3–1.8; mitral valve replacement and double valve replacement: 1.8–2.3) was the lowest among all anticoagulant therapy regimens followed. In conclusion, the relatively low anticoagulant strategy presented above efficiently prevents thrombosis and hemorrhage complications.     

Antiplatelet/Anticoagulant Agents and Chronic Subdural Hematoma in the Elderly

Background and Purpose

In the last decade there has been an increasing use of antiplatelet/anticoagulant agents in the elderly. The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between exposure to anticoagulant/antiplatelet therapy and chronic subdural haematoma-CSDH.

Methods

Single institution case-control study involving 138786 patients older than 60 years who visited our academic tertiary care Emergency Department from January 1st 2001 to December 31st 2010. 345 patients with CSDH (cases) were identified by review of ICD-9 codes 432.1 and 852.2x. Case and controls were matched with a 1∶3 ratio for gender, age (±5 years), year of admission and recent trauma. A conditional logistic model was built. A stratified analysis was performed with respect to the presence (842 patients) or absence (536 patients) of recent trauma.

Results

There were 345 cases and 1035 controls. Both anticoagulant and antiplatelet agents were associated with an increased risk of CSDH with an OR of 2.46 (CI 95% 1.66–3.64) and 1.42 (CI 95% 1.07–1.89), respectively. OR was 2.70 (CI 95% 1.75–4.15), 1.90 (CI 95% 1.13–3.20), and 1.37(CI 95% 0.99–1.90) for patients receiving oral anticoagulants, ADP-antagonists, or Cox-inhibitors, respectively. History of recent trauma was an effect modifier of the association between anticoagulants and CSDH, with an OR 1.71 (CI 95% 0.99–2.96) for patients with history of trauma and 4.30 (CI 95% 2.23–8.32) for patients without history of trauma.

Conclusions

Anticoagulant and antiplatelet therapy have a significant association with an increased risk of CSDH. This association, for patients under anticoagulant therapy, appears even stronger in those patients who develop a CSDH in the absence of a recent trauma.     

Successes, failures and complications in thrombolytic therapy in peripheral, arterial and venous occlusions]

Thrombocytic therapy in peripheral arterial and venous vessel occlusion represents a clearly described alternative towards the surgery of vessels. A success rate of 36.5% can be found in subacute peripheral arterial thrombosis and 46.3% in subacute thrombotic occlusion of a bypass-graft. Contrary to that, a rate of 29.8% can be found in complications or side-effects respectively. In cases of peripheral deep venous thrombosis, a partial or full success can be found in 72%. However, the rate of complication amounting to 44.2% is comparatively high. The longer thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase or urokinase will last, the more frequently and more serious will be the complications, such as bleedings of different kind as well as increase of temperature to mention the most frequent ones. The application of urokinase is absolutely possible today, however, the use of urokinase seems to be only justified, if a thrombolytic therapy with streptokinase was carried out successfully and a subsequent surgical therapy was not possible. The present costs of this preparation are far too high for urokinase to be applied routinely. A thrombolytic therapy with SK as well as with UK has to be followed by an anticoagulant treatment.     

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in elective percutaneous coronary intervention

Thrombosis plays a major role in acute vessel closure both after coronary balloon angioplasty and after stenting. This review will address the role of antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapy in preventing early thrombotic complications after percutaneous coronary intervention. The focus will be on agents that are routinely available and commonly used.     

Long-term Anticoagulant Therapy after Myocardial Infarction in Women

A multicentre trial from five medical departments in Oslo has been carried out to determine the value in women patients of one year''s long-term anticoagulant therapy. Follow-up long-term laboratory control and anticoagulant dosage were performed at one centre (the Rikshospitalet). One hundred and fifty-nine patients were assigned randomly into two similar well-matched groups (control and treatment). Dosage was controlled by Thrombotest, aiming at 10–20% levels, and 50% of the tests were less than 14%. Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed a significant reduction in mortality and in reinfarction rate. No serious bleeding complications occurred. It is concluded that women benefit as much as men from long-term anticoagulant therapy.     

Risks of discontinuing anticoagulant therapy in a selected group of patients with atherosclerotic heart disease: a prospective study

In 134 patients with coronary artery disease, long-term oral anticoagulant therapy (mean duration, 56 months) for acute myocardial infarction (98 patients), acute coronary insufficiency (25 patients) or severe chronic angina (11 patients) was terminated abruptly in 50 patients (group 1) and gradually in 84 (group 2). The 134 patients represented a homogeneous population of patients with coronary artery disease since most patients older than 75 years and those with conditions known to increase the risks of thromboembolic complications were excluded. The two groups were comparable in terms of sex, age, presence of risk factors, duration of anticoagulant therapy, and presence of angina and abnormal resting electrocardiograms during therapy. Patients were evaluated 6 months after cessation of anticoagulant therapy and, since abrupt withdrawal of therapy did not carry a higher risk than gradual discontinuation, data for groups 1 and 2 were tabulated together.Of the 84 patients with angina at the end of therapy 15 experienced an increase in its severity and this symptom appeared in another patient (relapse rate, 18%). Angina progressed to fatal acute myocardial infarction in four (mortality, 3%) and nonfatal infarction in two; however, all six had extensive coronary artery disease and poor left ventricular function. The results of this study suggest that neither abrupt nor gradual cessation of anticoagulant therapy is associated with an inordinate exacerbation of heart disease.     

Target Specific Anticoagulant Peptides: A Review

Anticoagulant drugs are of crucial importance for the treatment and prophylaxis of thrombotic disorders. The use of traditional anticoagulants like heparin and warfarin is majorly associated with bleeding complications. In the quest for safer anticoagulation therapy, the interest for the isolation of novel anticoagulant compounds has shifted towards natural sources. Peptides can be considered as better alternative due to their therapeutic potential in the treatment of diseases. Peptides from hematophagous (blood-feeding) and venomous organisms have been recognized as potential anticoagulant agents. Of late, peptides derived from the hydrolysis of food proteins, including edible seaweeds, milk and seed proteins, have also shown to possess promising in vitro anticoagulant activity. To overcome the problems associated with regular anticoagulants, peptides targeting vital steps in the clotting cascade have been studied. This review focuses on anticoagulant peptides with known targets, inhibiting crucial factors in the coagulation cascade such as FXa, FXIa, FXIIa and FVIIa/TF complex, as well as peptides with unknown targets.