Perioperative coagulation management in the intensive care unit

Predicting mortality in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation after cardiopulmonary bypass surgery by utilizing two scoring systems

: We evaluated clinical and laboratory biomarkers of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) following cardiac surgery in the cardiothoracic surgical ICU (CTICU) to predict mortality. We retrospectively analyzed CTICU patients with suspected DIC identified from the hospital laboratory database, and calculated International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis (ISTH) and the Japanese Association for Acute Medicine (JAAM) DIC scores to predict DIC-related mortality. The predictive accuracy of the JAAM and ISTH DIC scoring system were then assessed by logistic regression analysis and receiver operative characteristics analysis, and compared to other potential predictors of mortality (e.g., Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II, systemic inflammatory response syndrome criteria, laboratory variables). Our study showed a 30-day mortality rate of 71% in CTICU patients with DIC. The JAAM DIC score offered the best predictive accuracy [area under the curve (AUC): 0.723, 95% % confidence interval (CI): 0.638-0.947, P = 0.021], when compared with ISTH DIC score (AUC: 0.707, 95% CI: 0.491-0.923, P = 0.066) and Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II (AUC: 0.687, 95% CI: 0.483-0.891, P = 0.110). A JAAM DIC score at least 6 was reported in 89% of the nonsurvivors and 46% of survivors (P = 0.010), and predicted mortality [odds ratio: 9.33 (1.50-58.20)] with a 73% sensitivity and a 78% specificity. Our results also show a strong relationship between acid-base derangement and mortality. This initial evaluation of DIC-related mortality in the CTICU found the standardized JAAM DIC scoring system in combination with acid-base laboratory values were most useful to predict mortality in postcardiac surgery patients with DIC. Additional prospective studies are needed to further validate our findings.

Direct oral anticoagulant medications in calciphylaxis

BACKGROUND

Recent studies suggest that calciphylaxis is a thrombotic condition in which arteriolar thrombosis leads to painful skin infarcts and consequent morbidity and mortality. Paradoxically, warfarin is implicated as a risk factor for calciphylaxis. Our objective is to report the use of oral direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors (termed direct oral anticoagulants [DOACs]) in patients with calciphylaxis.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed records of 16 patients with calciphylaxis who received concomitant administration of novel anticoagulants. Patient data, including demographics, comorbidities, other treatments, and adverse events, were abstracted from the health records.

RESULTS

Eleven patients (69%) had chronic kidney disease (stage ≥3A), and eight (50%) received dialysis. Apixaban was the most frequently used agent (n = 11 [69%]). Dabigatran (n = 4 [25%]) and rivaroxaban (n = 2 [13%]) were reserved for patients with mild renal impairment (stage ≤2). One clinically relevant but nonmajor bleeding event occurred. There were no major bleeding events. Nine patients (56%) were alive at last follow-up, and five (31%) had complete resolution of their calciphylaxis (mean follow-up, 523 days; range, 26-1884 days).

CONCLUSION

DOACs were safe and well tolerated in patients with calciphylaxis, in this initial experience. Several patients had improvement or resolution of calciphylaxis in response to therapy that included DOACs. The degree of renal impairment should guide DOAC choice. Randomized trials are required to determine treatment efficacy.