Current perspective on fibrinogen concentrate in critical bleeding.

INTRODUCTION: . Massive hemorrhage continues to be a treatable cause of death. Its management varies from prefixed ratio-driven administration of blood components to goal-directed therapy based on point-of-care testing and administration of coagulation factor concentrates. AREAS COVERED: . We review the current role of fibrinogen concentrate (FC) for the management of massive hemorrhage, either administered without coagulation testing in life-threatening hemorrhage, or within an algorithm based on viscoelastic hemostatic assays and plasma fibrinogen level. We identified relevant guidelines, meta-analyzes, randomized controlled trials, and observational studies that included indications, dosage, and adverse effects of FC, especially thromboembolic events. EXPERT OPINION: . Moderate- to high-grade evidence supports the use of FC for the treatment of severe hemorrhage in trauma and cardiac surgery; a lower grade of evidence is available for its use in postpartum hemorrhage and end-stage liver disease. Pre-emptive FC administration in non-bleeding patients is not recommended. FC should be administered early, in a goal-directed manner, guided by early amplitude of clot firmness parameters (A5- or A10-FIBTEM) or hypofibrinogenemia. Further investigation is required into the early use of FC, as well as its potential advantages over cryoprecipitate, and whether or not its administration at high doses leads to a greater risk of adverse events.

A prospective study on the correlation between thromboelastometry and standard laboratory tests - influence of type of surgery and perioperative sampling times.

This prospective study aimed at investigating the influence of surgery type and perioperative sampling times on the correlations between rotational thromboelastometry (ROTEM) parameters and standard laboratory coagulation tests assessing comparable coagulation phases. Patients undergoing glioblastoma multiforme resection (GBR group, n = 60) or laparoscopic colon cancer resection (CCR group, n = 40) were prospectively included. Blood samples for ROTEM and laboratory assessments were consecutively drawn within 24-hours prior to surgery (baseline), and at 2, 24 and 48-hours after surgery. Correlations between perioperative ExTEM clotting-time (CT-exTEM) and prothrombin time (PT), and between FibTEM maximum clot firmness (MCF-fibTEM) with and plasma fibrinogen (pFB) concentration (Clauss method), were evaluated using the Spearman's rho test. The efficiency of recommended cut-offs of CT-exTEM (>75 s) and MCF-fibTEM (<10 mm) for predicting a prolonged PT (>15 s) or a low pFB (<2 g/L), respectively, was assessed using Receiver-Operator Characteristic curves. Correlations between CT-exTEM and PT were weak in GBR (rho = 0.25 [0.12-0.38], p < .01), and very weak in CCR (rho = 0.06 [-0.12-0.27]). Those between MCF-fibTEM and pFB, were strong in both GBR (rho = 0.69 [0.61-0.76], p < .01) and CCR (rho = 0.70 [0.60-0.78], p < .01). These correlations remained largely unchanged over the studied perioperative period in both groups. Recommended CT-exTEM and MCF-fibTEM cut-offs had poor sensitivity for predicting a prolonged PT (17% [8-31]) or a low pFB (46% [32-62]), without group-related differences. Neither the type of surgery nor the perioperative sampling times had a significant influence on the correlations between ROTEM parameters and standard laboratory tests. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT02652897.

Reliability of the portable coagulometer qLabs to accurately measure the activated thromboplastin time and international normalized ratio: a prospective study in critically ill patients.

: The current prospective study was aimed at investigating whether a portable coagulometer (qLabs) can be used to reliably monitor activated thromboplastin time (aPTT) and international normalized ratio (INR) in critically ill patients, as compared with standard central laboratory measurement. Both precision and accuracy of INR and aPTT measured by qLabs were assessed in this observational study by finger prick group (N = 30 patients) and blood droplet group from central venous catheter drawn (N = 60). For accuracy, clinical agreement percentage was ±0.3 for INR and ±10 s for aPTT. Precision of INR measurement in qLabs showed excellent intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC > 90%). Precision of aPTT measurement in qLabs was less acceptable for both finger prick [ICC: 0.70; Bland-Altman plot: 2.2 s (-19.8, 24.2)] and blood droplet [ICC: 0.50; Bland-Altman plot: 0.4 s (-70.9, 71.8)] groups. Accuracy of qLabs was acceptable for INR assessment (clinical agreement 90 and 81%, for finger prick and blood droplet groups, respectively), but not for aPTT (clinical agreement 55 and 68%, respectively). Accuracy of finger prick and blood droplet measurements in qLabs was better for INR and aPTT values near-to-normal (1.2 and 37 s, respectively). INR values from qLabs were consistent with the 'gold standard'. qLabs measurement is only reliable for aPTT values near-to-normal.

Uso de hierro intravenoso en pacientes anémicos ingresados en cuidados intensivos / Use of intravenous iron in critically ill patients with anemia

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Sobre la seguridad de las formulaciones de hierro intravenoso / On the safety of intravenous iron formulations

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Anemia del anciano / Anaemia in the elderly

La anemia es frecuente en los ancianos y se asocia con un mayor riesgo de deterioro físico, funcional y cognitivo, hospitalización y mortalidad. Aunque desconocemos si es un factor causal o un marcador subrogado de un peor estado de salud, su corrección puede mejorar la capacidad física y funcional. Su detección, su clasificación y su tratamiento deberían ser objetivos prioritarios para el sistema de salud. Sus principales causas son las deficiencias nutricionales y las enfermedades crónicas, con y sin insuficiencia renal, aunque algunas son de origen desconocido. La historia clínica y la exploración física ayudan a aclarar su etiología. Un algoritmo diagnóstico basado en los datos del laboratorio permite su clasificación con orientación terapéutica. Los suplementos de hierro y factores madurativos y los agentes estimuladores de la eritropoyesis constituyen la base del tratamiento, junto con el de la enfermedad de base, reservándose la transfusión de hematíes para los casos graves (AU)

Anaemia is common in the elderly and is associated with an increased risk of physical, functional, and cognitive impairment, hospitalization and mortality. Although it is unknown whether anaemia is a causal factor or a subrogated marker of worse health status, its correction can improve the patients' physical and functional capacity. Detection, classification, and treatment of anaemia should be a priority for the health system. The main causes of anaemia in the elderly are nutritional deficiencies and chronic disease, with or without kidney failure, although some cases are of indeterminate origin. Medical history and physical examination help to clarify it’s a etiology. A diagnostic algorithm based on data from the lab allows anaemia classification with a therapeutic orientation. Supplements of iron and maturation factors, as well as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, constitute the mainstay of treatment, along with that of the underlying disease, whereas red blood cell transfusion should be reserved for severe cases (AU)

Anaemia in the elderly. / Anemia del anciano.

Anaemia is common in the elderly and is associated with an increased risk of physical, functional, and cognitive impairment, hospitalisation and mortality. Although it is unknown whether anaemia is a causal factor or a subrogated marker of worse health status, its correction can improve the patients' physical and functional capacity. Detection, classification, and treatment of anaemia should be a priority for the health system. The main causes of anaemia in the elderly are nutritional deficiencies and chronic disease, with or without kidney failure, although some cases are of indeterminate origin. Medical history and physical examination help to clarify its aetiology. A diagnostic algorithm based on data from the lab allows anaemia classification with a therapeutic orientation. Supplements of iron and maturation factors, as well as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, constitute the mainstay of treatment, along with that of the underlying disease, whereas red blood cell transfusion should be reserved for severe cases.

Red Blood Cell Transfusion Guided by Near Infrared Spectroscopy in Neurocritically Ill Patients with Moderate or Severe Anemia: A Randomized, Controlled Trial.

In neurocritically ill patients (NCPs), the use of hemoglobin level as the sole indicator for red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) can result in under- or over-transfusion. This randomized controlled trial was conducted to ascertain whether a transcranial oxygen saturation (rSO2) threshold, as measured by near-infrared spectroscopy, reduces RBCT requirements in anemic NCPs (closed traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid, or intracerebral hemorrhage), compared with a hemoglobin threshold alone. Patients with hemoglobin 70-100 g/L received RBCTs to attain an rSO2 > 60% (rSO2 arm) or to maintain hemoglobin between 85 and 100 g/L (hemoglobin arm). A total of 102 NCPs (51 in each group) were included in the intention-to-treat analysis, and 97 were included in the per-protocol analysis (51 and 46, respectively). Compared with those from the hemoglobin arm, patients in rSO2 arm received fewer RBC units (1.0 ± 0.1 vs. 1.5 ± 1.4 units/patient; p < 0.05) and showed lower hemoglobin levels while in protocol. There were no differences between the study arms regarding the percentage of transfused patents (59% vs. 71%; relative risk 0.83 [95% CI 0.62-1.11]), stay on neurocritical care unit (21 vs. 20 days), unfavorable Glasgow Outcome Scale scores on hospital discharge (57% vs. 71%), in-hospital mortality (6% vs. 10%), or 1 year mortality (24% vs. 24%). Among NCPs with hemoglobin concentrations of 70-85 g/L, withholding transfusion until rSO2 is <60% may result in reduced RBCs requirements compared with routinely transfusing to attain a hemoglobin level >85 g/L. Further studies are required to confirm this finding and its possible impact on clinically significant outcomes.

Effects of Red Blood Cell Transfusion on Long-Term Disability of Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury.

BACKGROUND: This 3-year prospective study examined the association between red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) and 1-year neurocognitive and disability levels in 309 patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) admitted to the neurological intensive care unit (NICU). METHODS: Using a telephone interview-based survey, functional outcomes were assessed by the Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning Scale (RLCFS), and Disability Rating Scale (DRS) and dichotomized as favorable and unfavorable (dependent variable). The adjusted influence of RBCT on unfavorable results was assessed by conventional logistic regression, controlling for illness severity and propensity score (introduced as a continuous variable and by propensity score-matched patients). RESULTS: Overall, 164 (53 %) patients received ≥1 unit of RBCT during their NICU stay. One year postinjury, transfused patients exhibited significantly higher unfavorable GOS (46.0 vs. 22.0 %), RLCFS (37.4 vs. 15.4 %), and DRS (39.6 vs. 18.7 %) scores than nontransfused patients. Although transfused patients were more severely ill upon admission, their adjusted odds ratios (95 % confidence intervals) for unfavorable GOS, RLCFS, and DRS scores were 2.5 (1.2-5.1), 3.0 (1.4-6.3), and 2.3 (1.1-4.8), respectively. These odds ratios remained largely unmodified when the calculated propensity score was incorporated as an independent continuous variable into the multivariate analysis. Furthermore, in 76 pairs of propensity score-matched patients, the rate of an unfavorable RLCFS score at the 1-year (but not 6-month) follow-up was significantly higher in transfused than nontransfused patients [3.0 (1.1-8.2)]. CONCLUSION: Our results strongly suggest an independent association between RBCT and unfavorable long-term functional outcomes of patients with TBI.

Tratamiento de la anemia perioperatoria de la fractura de cadera / Treatment of perioperative anemia in hip fracture

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Reflexiones sobre la utilidad de la administración de hierro intravenoso preoperatorio en la cirugía de fractura de cadera / Thoughts about the usefulness of the preoperatory administration of intravenous iron in hip fracture surgery

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Administración intravenosa de ácido tranexámico para reducir la hemorragia y la transfusión en cirugía protésica de rodilla y cadera: ¿es segura y coste-efectiva? / Intravenous administration of tranexamic acid to decrease bleeding and transfusion in knee and hip prosthetic surgery: Is it safe and cost-effective?

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Red blood cell transfusion in non-bleeding critically ill patients with moderate anemia: is there a benefit?

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to investigate the efficacy of red blood cell transfusion (RBCT) at reversing the deleterious effects of moderate anemia in critically ill, non-bleeding patients. METHODS: This was a retrospective, pair-matched (ratio 1:1) cohort study. Non-bleeding critically ill patients with moderate anemia (nadir hemoglobin level between 70 and 95 g/l), admitted to the ICU over a 27-month period, were included. Anemic patients were included upon meeting five matching criteria of having the same nadir hemoglobin (±5 g/l), APACHE II score (±5), SOFA score (±2), admission diagnostic group, and age (±5 years). Outcome events occurring over the whole ICU stay and after RBCT were collected. After hospital discharge, all patients had a 2-year follow-up period. RESULTS: Two hundred fourteen non-transfused anemic patients (NTAPs) were successfully matched with 214 transfused anemic patients (TAPs). In addition to the matching criteria, at baseline, both groups were homogenous with respect to multiple comorbidities. Compared with TAPs, NTAPs showed significantly lower rates of hospital mortality (21 vs.13 %, respectively; p < 0.05) and ICU re-admission (7.4 vs. 1.9 %, respectively; p < 0.05). Additionally, NTAPs had significantly lower rates of nosocomial infection (12.9 vs. 6.7 %, respectively; p < 0.05) and acute kidney injury (24.8 vs. 16.7 %, respectively; p < 0.05). Similar results were obtained in subgroup analysis where only more anemic patients (68 matched pairs) or patients with cardiovascular comorbidities (63 matched pairs) were considered. CONCLUSIONS: RBCT does not improve the clinical outcome in non-bleeding critically ill patients with moderate anemia.