Evaluation of risk of thrombosis during use of low-dose ethinylestradiol-desogestrel oral contraceptive.

Thirty healthy young women, non-smokers and of normal weight, used a combined oral contraceptive consisting of 20 micrograms ethinylestradiol and 150 micrograms desogestrel for 9 cycles. Before and during the 3rd, 6th and 9th cycles of contraceptive use, the following parameters were measured: triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, apolipoprotein A and B, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time, fibrinogen, antithrombin III, protein C, plasminogen, antiplasmin, tissue plasminogen activator, platelet count, platelet aggregation, beta-thromboglobulin and platelet factor 4. The ratios of total cholesterol/HDL-cholesterol and apolipoprotein A/B remained constant or showed only a slight increase. The clotting/fibrinolytic balance showed a similar trend. There was however, an inconstant but significant increase in antithrombin III and protein C. Platelet count and platelet function parameters were unmodified. Hence the contraceptive induced no substantial changes in lipid balance or blood clotting, at least during the study period.

[Intensive therapy in general surgery]. / La terapia intensiva in chirurgia generale.

A good diagnostic protocol as well as a proper preparation to surgery and a careful intensive observation (associated if necessary with an intensive therapy) can lead to a better prognosis in major surgical procedures or routine surgery in poor risk patients. Candidates to ICU are divided in three classes: type A is a stable patient requiring constant monitoring for high probability of complications, type B is still a stable patient who needs an intensive nursing; finally type C is an instable patient who requires a true intensive care. In the surgical department of USL 20/B Figline Valdarno (FI) a postoperative Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has been established in the last three years: a three-bed section with its own staff is located in the surgical department itself. In 37 months 467 operated patients requiring intensive observation or intensive therapy have been admitted.

[Thymopentin in a case of autoimmune thrombocytopenia secondary to chronic lymphatic leukemia]. / Timopentina in un caso di piastrinopenia autoimmune secondaria a leucemia linfatica cronica.

The Authors describe a case of chronic lymphocytic leukemia complicated by immune thrombocytopenic purpura. They consider the various causes of thrombocytopenia during lympho-proliferative disorders and underline the different prognostic significance. They evaluate the efficacy of treatment with timopentina.