Introduction. The optimal timing for starting anticoagulation in the early phase of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)-related acute ischemic stroke (AIS) remains a challenge, especially in ...patients undergoing urgent reperfusion by systemic thrombolysis or mechanical thrombectomy. The aim of our study was to review the literature evidence reporting on safety of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) starting in the early phase of NVAF-related AIS undergoing systemic thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy. Materials and Methods. We reviewed the PubMed databases searching articles reporting on efficacy and safety of DOACs starting time within two weeks from AIS onset in patients undergoing systemic thrombolysis and/or mechanical thrombectomy. Results. Three studies were selected, overall including one hundred and six patients (62 females, 58.4%). Median National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score at hospital admission ranged from 9 to 13 points. Median DOACs starting time ranged from 2 to 6 days. Median CHA2DS2-VASC score ranged from 4 to 6 points. Follow-up was limited to 14 days in one study, 30 days in another, and 90 days in a third one. Overall, stroke recurrence and/or intracranial bleeding occurred in two patients (1.9%) and no patient died at follow-up. Conclusion. Small sample size real life studies seem to demonstrate that the introduction of DOACs in the early phase of NVAF-related AIS undergoing urgent reperfusion is efficacious and safe. Prospective RCTs are necessary to confirm these findings.
Background All stroke risk stratification schemes categorize a history of stroke as a “truly high” risk factor. Therefore, stratifying stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF) should perhaps ...concentrate on primary prevention. However, the risk factors for stroke also lead to an increase in the risk of bleeding. Our objective was to evaluate the agreement among the currently used stroke risk stratification schemes in “real-world” patients with AF in the primary prevention setting, their correlation with adverse events recorded during warfarin treatment, and the relationship between stroke and bleeding risk. Methods We prospectively followed up 3,302 patients with AF taking warfarin for primary prevention. Stroke risk was assessed using the CHADS2 (congestive heart failure, hypertension, age ≥ 75 years, diabetes, previous stroke or transient ischemic attack), Atrial Fibrillation Investigators, American College of Chest Physicians Conference on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy, American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/European Society of Cardiology, and National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence schemas, and for bleeding risk, the outpatient bleeding risk index was calculated. Bleeding and thrombotic events occurring during follow-up were recorded. Results Patients classified into various stroke risk categories differed widely for different schemes, especially for the moderate- and high-risk categories. The rates of bleeding and thrombotic events during follow-up were 1.24 and 0.76 per 100 patient-years, respectively. All stroke stratification schemes correlated closely to bleeding risk. Stroke rate increased progressively from low- to moderate- to high-risk patients. Conclusions Stroke risk stratification models differed widely when categorizing subjects into the moderate- and high-stroke-risk categories. Bleeding and stroke risk were closely correlated and both were low among low-risk patients and were similarly high among moderate/high-risk groups.
New onset type 1 diabetes mellitus is an uncommon but possible complication triggered by SARSCoV- 2 infection. Metabolic inflammation supported by cytokine storm leading to pancreatic beta cells ...destruction is the most probable link between COVID-19 and diabetes. Here, we describe the case of a 51-year-old female suffering from Hashimoto thyroiditis, who came to our attenction for new onset polyuria-polydipsia syndrome associated to hyperglycemia after a mild form of COVID- 19 recognized two months before and already recovered. Type 1 diabetes was diagnosed.
Abstract
Background
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection causes acute respiratory insufficiency with severe interstitial pneumonia and extrapulmonary complications; in particular, it may ...predispose to thromboembolic disease. The reported incidence of thromboembolic complications varies from 5 to 30% of cases.
Aim
We conducted a multicenter, Italian, retrospective, observational study on COVID-19 patients admitted to ordinary wards, to describe the clinical characteristics of patients at admission and bleeding and thrombotic events occurring during the hospital stay.
Results
The number of hospitalized patients included in the START-COVID-19 Register was 1,135, and the number of hospitalized patients in ordinary wards included in the study was 1,091, with 653 (59.9%) being males and 71 years (interquartile range 59–82 years) being the median age. During the observation, two (0.2%) patients had acute coronary syndrome episodes and one patient (0.1%) had an ischemic stroke; no other arterial thrombotic events were recorded. Fifty-nine patients had symptomatic venous thromboembolism (VTE) (5.4%) events, 18 (30.5%) deep vein thrombosis (DVT), 39 (66.1%) pulmonary embolism (PE), and 2 (3.4%) DVT+PE. Among patients with DVT, eight (44.4%) were isolated distal DVT and two cases were jugular thrombosis. Among patients with PE, seven (17.9%) events were limited to subsegmental arteries. No fatal PE was recorded. Major bleeding events occurred in nine (1.2%) patients and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding events in nine (1.2%) patients. All bleeding events occurred among patients receiving thromboprophylaxis, more frequently when treated with subtherapeutic or therapeutic dosages.
Conclusion
Our findings confirm that patients admitted to ordinary wards for COVID-19 infection are at high risk for thromboembolic events. VTE recorded among these patients is mainly isolated PE, suggesting a peculiar characteristic of VTE in these patients.
Abstract Introduction Lower limb deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is the most frequent clinical manifestation of venous thromboembolism (VTE) and can involve proximal or distal veins. Distal DVT (dDVT) is ...often asymptomatic and data about its incidence and prognosis are scanty, especially in high risk medical inpatients. Therefore, no consensus exists on the value of detecting and treating dDVTs. Aim of study was to evaluate incidence and characteristics of asymptomatic isolated dDVT at admission in an Internal Medicine department. Materials and methods Consecutive patients hospitalized for acute medical illnesses, in whom VTE was not the admission diagnosis, underwent Doppler Ultrasonography. For all patients with dDVT standard treatment with therapeutic doses of low molecular weight heparin or fondaparinux was proposed. Follow-up visits were scheduled at 1, 6 and 12 weeks. Results One-hundred-fifty-four patients were enrolled. In 4.5% a proximal DVT and in 16.2% an asymptomatic dDVT were found. Female sex, elevated age and renal and electrolyte abnormalities were significantly associated to dDVT (p = 0.014, p = 0.009 and p = 0.046, respectively). Only low degree of mobility (LDM) was independently associated to dDVT OR 7.97 (95%CI 2.42-26.27), p = 0.001). A high mortality rate, not for VTE-related causes, was found, especially in the first week, among dDVT patients. Conclusions We found a high incidence of clinically silent dDVTs. LDM evaluation could be useful to select patients at high risk in whom to perform a search for dDVT.
The balance between the risk of early stroke recurrence and hemorrhagic transformation represents the cornerstone of practical management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF)-related acute ...ischemic stroke (AIS). Patients who receive antithrombotic therapy as secondary prevention in the early phase of NVAF-related AIS have a better prognosis compared with patients who do not receive antithrombotic treatment. Recently, the RAF study showed that the best efficacy/safety profile was associated with anticoagulation started between 4 and 14 days from stroke onset. Based on the RAF study, the 2018 American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) guidelines suggest starting anticoagulants between 4 and 14 days from stroke onset with a class of recommendation IIa. Strong evidence for the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in the early phase of NVAF-related AIS is lacking, because this kind of patients were excluded from phase III randomized clinical trials (RCT) and ad hoc RCTs are ongoing. However, the real life evidence suggests that early starting time of DOACs in patients with NVAF-related AIS is safe and associated with low recurrence risk and all-cause mortality. In the present review the Authors provide an update on anticoagulation in the early phase of NVAF-related AIS with focus on DOACs.
Abstract We report a case of non-traumatic splenic rupture in a 57-year-old man on dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and ticagrelor, seven months after percutaneous coronary intervention ...and drug-eluting stent implantation for non-ST elevation myocardial infarction. No splenic abnormalities were found at histopathological analysis after splenectomy, and no history of recent trauma was reported. Once restarted, DAPT after splenectomy, assessment of platelet function was performed by light transmittance aggregometry, showing a profound inhibition of platelet function by adenosine diphosphate, arachidonic acid, and collagen. Taking into account the bleeding risk associated with low on-treatment platelet reactivity, and to switch the patient from ticagrelor to a less potent P2Y12 inhibitor such as clopidogrel, cytochrome P450, genetic polymorphisms accounting for clopidogrel response variability were analyzed. The polymorphisms associated with lower response (CYP2C19*2, CYP2C19*3) were absent. Therefore, ticagrelor was withdrawn, and DAPT was continued with aspirin and clopidogrel. Rupture of the spleen may occur in the absence of major trauma or previous splenic diseases, and could be a complication of antithrombotic treatments. Moreover, low on-treatment platelet reactivity during DAPT is emerging as a possible risk factor for bleeding complications, so underlining the usefulness of assessing platelet function in special conditions to ensure that the patient receives the best tailored antiplatelet therapy. < Learning objective: Non-traumatic splenic rupture is a rare event, and is more often associated with pre-existing splenic abnormalities. However, it may be also a complication of medical treatments, especially with antithrombotic drugs. Low on-treatment platelet reactivity is emerging as a possible risk factor for bleeding complications; therefore, assessing platelet function in special conditions could be useful to ensure the patient receives the best-tailored antiplatelet therapy.>
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