Fibrinogen Diagnostics in Major Hemorrhage

Machine learning-based prediction model for hypofibrinogenemia after tigecycline therapy

BACKGROUND

In clinical practice, the incidence of hypofibrinogenemia (HF) after tigecycline (TGC) treatment significantly exceeds the probability claimed by drug manufacturers.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to identify the risk factors for TGC-associated HF and develop prediction and survival models for TGC-associated HF and the timing of TGC-associated HF.

METHODS

This single-center retrospective cohort study included 222 patients who were prescribed TGC. First, we used binary logistic regression to screen the independent factors influencing TGC-associated HF, which were used as predictors to train the extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost) model. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve, decision curve analysis (DCA), and clinical impact curve analysis (CICA) were used to evaluate the performance of the model in the verification cohort. Subsequently, we conducted survival analysis using the random survival forest (RSF) algorithm. A consistency index (C-index) was used to evaluate the accuracy of the RSF model in the verification cohort.

RESULTS

Binary logistic regression identified nine independent factors influencing TGC-associated HF, and the XGBoost model was constructed using these nine predictors. The ROC and calibration curves showed that the model had good discrimination (areas under the ROC curves (AUC) = 0.792 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.668-0.915]) and calibration ability. In addition, DCA and CICA demonstrated good clinical practicability of this model. Notably, the RSF model showed good accuracy (C-index = 0.746 [95%CI, 0.652-0.820]) in the verification cohort. Stratifying patients treated with TGC based on the RSF model revealed a statistically significant difference in the mean survival time between the low- and high-risk groups.

CONCLUSIONS

The XGBoost model effectively predicts the risk of TGC-associated HF, whereas the RSF model has advantages in risk stratification. These two models have significant clinical practical value, with the potential to reduce the risk of TGC therapy.

Incidence, characteristics, and risk factors of hypofibrinogenemia induced by generic tigecycline: a retrospective study

The objective of this study was to evaluate the incidence, clinical features, and risk factors of generic tigecycline-associated hypofibrinogenemia. A single-center retrospective study was conducted in adult patients treated with generic tigecycline. Clinical data were extracted from the electronic medical records. The endpoint was tigecycline-related hypofibrinogenemia, defined as a condition with no abnormality in fibrinogen before tigecycline application, but developing hypofibrinogenemia upon prescription. The risk factors were determined by logistic regression analysis, and the ROC curve was subsequently established. A total of 240 adults prescribed generic tigecycline from May 1st to November 30th 2023 were included. It was shown that hypofibrinogenemia is a frequent side effect of generic tigecycline, with an adverse reaction rate of 42.9% (103/240). However, the incidence of adverse reactions to generic drugs was lower than in previous studies. The cumulative dose of tigecycline (OR:1.002, 95%CI 1.001-1.002, P < 0.001), baseline FIB (OR:0.995, 95%CI 0.992-0.997, P < 0.001), baseline PT (OR:1.247, 95%CI 1.071-1.452, P = 0.004) and baseline ALB (OR:0.931, 95%CI 0.879-0.986, P = 0.025) were identified as independent prognostic factors of tigecycline-related hypofibrinogenemia. We recommend intensive monitoring of coagulation function in patients exhibiting the aforementioned risk factors for generic tigecycline-associated hypofibrinogenemia to ensure patients safety.

Hemostasis Testing in the Emergency Department: A Narrative Review

Routine laboratory screening is typically performed at initial evaluation of the vast majority of presentations to the emergency department (ED). These laboratory results are crucial to the diagnostic process, as they may influence up to 70% of clinical decisions. However, despite the usefulness of biological assessments, many tests performed are inappropriate or of doubtful clinical relevance. This overutilization rate of laboratory testing in hospitals, which represents a significant medical-economic burden, ranges from 20 to 67%, with coagulation tests at the top of the list. While reviews frequently focus on nonintensive care units, there are few published assessments of emergency-specific interventions or guidelines/guidance to date. The aim of this review is to highlight current recommendations for hemostasis evaluation in the emergency setting with a specific analysis of common situations leading to ED admissions, such as suspected venous thrombosis or severe bleeding. We revisit the evidence related to the assessment of patient's hemostatic capacity based on comprehensive history taking and physical examination as well as best practice recommendations for blood sample collection to ensure the reliability of results. This review also includes an examination of various currently available point of care tests and a comprehensive discussion on indications, limitations, and interpretation of these tests.

Factors affecting continuous renal replacement therapy duration in critically ill patients: A retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to analyze the factors affecting continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) duration in critically ill patients and provide a reference for clinical treatment.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We divided patients into regional citrate anti-coagulation (RCA) and low-molecular-weight-heparin (LMWH) groups according to the anti-coagulation method and collected the relevant data, to analyze the factors associated with CRRT time.

RESULTS

Compared with the LMWH group, the RCA group had a longer mean treatment time (55.36 ± 22.57 vs. 37.65 ± 27.09 h, p < 0.001), lower transmembrane pressure, and lower filter pressure, regardless of vascular access site. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between anti-coagulation patterns, filter pressure at CRRT discontinuation, nurses' level of intensive care unit experience, pre-machine fibrinogen level, and CRRT time.

CONCLUSION

Anti-coagulation is the most important factor affecting CRRT duration. Filter pressure, nurses' level of intensive care unit experience, and fibrinogen level also affecting CRRT duration.

Etiology and management of hypofibrinogenemia in trauma

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Fibrin polymerization is essential for stable clot formation in trauma, and hypofibrinogenemia reduces hemostasis in trauma. This review considers fibrinogen biology, the changes that fibrinogen undergoes after major trauma, and current evidence for lab testing and treatment.

RECENT FINDINGS

Fibrinogen is a polypeptide that is converted to fibrin by the action of thrombin. During trauma, fibrinogen levels are consumed and reduce within the first few hours because of consumption, dilution, and fibrinolysis. Fibrinogen levels usually rebound within 48 hours of injury and can contribute to thrombotic events. The Clauss fibrinogen assay is the gold standard test for fibrinogen levels, although viscoelastic hemostatic assays are often used when a lab delay is anticipated. An evidence-based threshold for fibrinogen replacement is not well established in the literature, but expert opinion recommends maintaining a level above 150 mg/dl.

SUMMARY

Hypofibrinogenemia is an important cause of nonanatomic bleeding in trauma. Despite multiple pathologic causes, the cornerstone of treatment remains fibrinogen replacement with cryoprecipitate or fibrinogen concentrates.

Nanopore Discrimination of Coagulation Biomarker Derivatives and Characterization of a Post-Translational Modification

One of the most important health challenges is the early and ongoing detection of disease for prevention, as well as personalized treatment management. Development of new sensitive analytical point-of-care tests are, therefore, necessary for direct biomarker detection from biofluids as critical tools to address the healthcare needs of an aging global population. Coagulation disorders associated with stroke, heart attack, or cancer are defined by an increased level of the fibrinopeptide A (FPA) biomarker, among others. This biomarker exists in more than one form: it can be post-translationally modified with a phosphate and also cleaved to form shorter peptides. Current assays are long and have difficulties in discriminating between these derivatives; hence, this is an underutilized biomarker for routine clinical practice. We use nanopore sensing to identify FPA, the phosphorylated FPA, and two derivatives. Each of these peptides is characterized by unique electrical signals for both dwell time and blockade level. We also show that the phosphorylated form of FPA can adopt two different conformations, each of which have different values for each electrical parameter. We were able to use these parameters to discriminate these peptides from a mix, thereby opening the way for the potential development of new point-of-care tests.

Hemorrhagic Resuscitation Guided by Viscoelastography in Far-Forward Combat and Austere Civilian Environments: Goal-Directed Whole-Blood and Blood-Component Therapy Far from the Trauma Center

Modern approaches to resuscitation seek to bring patient interventions as close as possible to the initial trauma. In recent decades, fresh or cold-stored whole blood has gained widespread support in multiple settings as the best first agent in resuscitation after massive blood loss. However, whole blood is not a panacea, and while current guidelines promote continued resuscitation with fixed ratios of blood products, the debate about the optimal resuscitation strategy-especially in austere or challenging environments-is by no means settled. In this narrative review, we give a brief history of military resuscitation and how whole blood became the mainstay of initial resuscitation. We then outline the principles of viscoelastic hemostatic assays as well as their adoption for providing goal-directed blood-component therapy in trauma centers. After summarizing the nascent research on the strengths and limitations of viscoelastic platforms in challenging environmental conditions, we conclude with our vision of how these platforms can be deployed in far-forward combat and austere civilian environments to maximize survival.