Analysis of the influence of antithrombin on microvascular thrombosis: anti-inflammation is crucial for anticoagulation

Antithrombin III activity is associated with prognosis, infection, and inflammation in patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

OBJECTIVE

Patients with hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure (HBV-ACLF) are characterized by severe liver function impairment, coagulation disorder, and multiple organ function impairment. The aim of this study was to explore the predictive value of antithrombin Ⅲ activity to the prognosis of HBV-ACLF patients.

METHODS

A total of 186 HBV-ACLF patients were included in the analysis, and the baseline clinical data of patients were recorded to analyze the risk factors affecting the 30-day survival outcome of patients. Bacterial infection, sepsis, and hepatic encephalopathy were observed in ACLF patients. Antithrombin Ⅲ activity and serum cytokine levels were determined.

RESULTS

The antithrombin Ⅲ activity of ACLF patients in the death group was significantly lower than that in the survival group, and antithrombin Ⅲ activity was independent factors affecting the 30-day outcome. The areas under the receiver operation characteristic (ROC) curve of antithrombin Ⅲ activity to predict the 30-day mortality of ACLF was 0.799. Survival analysis showed that the mortality of patients with antithrombin Ⅲ activity less than 13% was significantly increased. Patients with bacterial infection and sepsis had lower antithrombin Ⅲ activity than those without infection. Antithrombin Ⅲ activity was positively correlated with platelet count, fibrinogen, interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-13, IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, IL-23, IL-27, and IFN-α, but negatively correlated with C-reactive protein, D dimer, total bilirubin, and creatinine levels.

CONCLUSION

As a natural anticoagulant, antithrombin Ⅲ can be regarded as a marker of inflammation and infection in patients with HBV-ACLF, and as a predictor of survival outcome in patients with ACLF.

Anticoagulation in COVID - 19: An Update

The novel coronavirus disease, 2019 (COVID – 19) evolved as an unprecedented pandemic. The severe acute respiratory syndrome-corona virus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been associated with significantly deranged coagulation parameters and increased incidence of thrombotic events. Deranged coagulation parameters, such as D-dimers and fibrin degradation products, can indicate a poor prognosis, and their measurement will help stratify the patients according to the disease severity, need of intensive care unit admission, and prediction of the clinical course. Gaps in understanding the natural history of the disease cause difficulties in tailoring therapies and optimizing the management of patients. Lack of specific treatment further complicates this situation. While thrombotic events can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients, a focused approach to the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism (VTE) can, to a great extent, decrease the disease burden caused by thrombotic diseases. Pharmacological prophylactic anticoagulants and mechanical therapies such as pneumatic compression devices can help prevent venous thromboembolism and other thrombotic events. Thrombotic events due to COVID-19, their prevention and management, are the focus of this paper, with the prospect of providing insights into this relatively unexplored area.

Single Low Dose of Human Recombinant Antithrombin (ATryn) has no Impact on Endotoxin-Induced Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation: An Experimental Randomized Open Label Controlled Study

BACKGROUND

Antithrombin (AT) III physiological levels are decreased during septic shock and supplementation therapy could therefore be beneficial.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that the use of recombinant human AT could reduce disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) occurrence.

METHODS

We conducted a randomized open label controlled experimental study. Ten female "Large White" pigs were challenged with i.v. infusion of Escherichia coli endotoxin. Two groups of 5 pigs were randomly assigned to receive either recombinant human AT 100 U/kg over 30 min (ATryn group) or 0.9% saline (control group). AT III levels, coagulation, hemostasis, inflammation parameters, hemodynamics, and microcirculatory parameters were measured over a 5-h period. Immediately after euthanasia, kidneys were withdrawn for histology evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests and Dunn's test for multiple comparisons.

RESULTS

AT III activity was significantly higher in the ATryn group than in the control group from 60% (213% [203-223] vs. 104% [98-115], P = 0.008, respectively) to 300 min (115% [95-124] vs. 79% [67-93], P = 0.03). Recombinant human AT supplementation had no impact on hemodynamics, microcirculatory parameters, and sequential changes of coagulation parameters (platelet count, fibrinogen level, thrombin-AT complexes, and von Willebrand factor). Interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor α values were statistically the same for both groups throughout the study. Percentage of thrombosed glomeruli and percentage of thrombosed capillary in glomerulus were not significantly different between both groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our model of endotoxic shock, a single low dose of recombinant human AT did not prevent DIC occurrence, severity, inflammatory profile, or hemodynamic alterations.

Low antithrombin levels accompanied by high urine protein/creatinine ratios are predictive of acute kidney injury among CS patients with preeclampsia

OBJECTIVES

Previous acute kidney injury (AKI) is reportedly a risk factor for future preeclampsia (PE), and PE in current pregnancies may trigger the onset of AKI. In this study, we identified risk factors for AKI among Cesarean section (CS) patients with PE.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study at a single center. Among 4602 deliveries between January 2017 and July 2018, 944 women underwent CS. Of these, 90 women had hypertensive disorders during their pregnancies, with 53 diagnoses of PE and 37 diagnoses of gestational hypertension. Medical records of the 90 women were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

The rate of AKI was significantly higher in the PE group than in the GH group (17 versus 3%, p < .05). Univariate analyses of the PE group identified low preoperative serum albumin levels, low antithrombin III (ATIII) activities, and urine protein/creatinine ratios (U-P/Cr) as significant predictors of AKI. Cutoff values for these factors were calculated using ROC analyses, and the combination of ATIII and U-P/Cr, which were poorly correlated, was predictive of AKI. Specifically, the proportion of AKI in patients with low ATIII-high U-P/Cr was 50% (7/14), higher than that among patients with high ATIII-low U-P/Cr (0%, 0/19, p < .05), low ATIII-low U-P/Cr (10%, 1/10, p < .05), and high ATIII-high U-P/Cr (10%, 1/10, p < .05).

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that lower preoperative serum albumin levels, ATIII activities, and heavy proteinuria among CS patients with PE are risk factors for AKI.

The Bidirectional Interactions Between Inflammation and Coagulation in Fracture Hematoma

IMPACT STATEMENT

The review leads to better understanding of the interrelation between inflammation mediators and coagulation factors in the early fracture hematoma, and their influences on hematoma formation in the beginning of fracture healing. Furthermore, development of therapies aimed at simultaneous modulation of both coagulation factors and inflammation factors that affect hematoma structure, rather than specific factors, may be most promising.

Early anticoagulation therapy for severe burns complicated by inhalation injury in a rabbit model

The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of early anticoagulation treatment on severe burns complicated by inhalation injury in a rabbit model. Under anesthetization, an electrical burns instrument (100°C) was used to scald the backs of rabbits for 15 sec, which established a 30% III severe burns model. Treatment of the rabbits with early anticoagulation effectively improved the severe burns complicated by inhalation injury-induced lung injury, reduced PaO₂, PaCO₂ and SPO₂ levels, suppressed the expression of tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6, and increased the activity of IL-10. In addition, it was found that early anticoagulation treatment effectively suppressed the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-9, upregulated the protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and decreased the protein expression of protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) in the severe burns model. It was concluded that early anticoagulation treatment affected the severe burns complicated by inhalation injury in a rabbit model through the upregulation of VEGF and downregulation of PAR1 signaling pathways. Thus, early anticoagulation is a potential therapeutic option for severe burns complicated by inhalation injury.

Anticoagulation and Transfusions Management in Veno-Venous Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation for Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome: Assessment of Factors Associated With Transfusion Requirements and Mortality

Purpose:

We describe an approach for anticoagulation and transfusions in veno-venous–extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VV-ECMO), evaluating factors associated with higher transfusion requirements, and their impact on mortality.

Methods:

Observational study on consecutive adults supported with VV-ECMO for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We targeted an activated partial thromboplastin time of 40 to 50 seconds and a hematocrit of 24% to 30%. Univariate and multiple analyses were done to evaluate factors associated with transfusion requirements and the influence of increasing transfusions on mortality during ECMO.

Results:

In a cohort of 82 VV-ECMO patients (PRedicting dEath for SEvere ARDS on VV-ECMO [PRESERVE] score: 4, Interquartile range [IQR]: 3-5, Respiratory Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Survival Prediction [RESP] score: 2, IQR: 2-4), 76 (92.7%) patients received at least 1 unit of packed red blood cells (PRBCs) during the intensive care unit stay related to ECMO (median PRBC/d 156 mL, IQR: 93-218; median ECMO duration 14 days, IQR: 8-22). A higher requirement of PRBC transfusions was associated with pre-ECMO hematocrit, and with the following conditions during ECMO: platelet nadir, antithrombin III (ATIII), and stage 3 of acute kidney injury (all P < .05). Sixty-two (75.6%) patients survived ECMO. Pre-ECMO hospital stay, PRBC transfusion, and septic shock were associated with mortality (all P < .05). The adjusted odds ratio for each 100mL/d increase in PRBC transfusion was 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.1-3.2, P = .01); for the development of septic shock it was 15.4 (95% CI: 1.7-136.8, P = .01), and for each day of pre-ECMO stay it was 1.1 (95% CI: 1-1.2, P = .04).

Conclusion:

Implementation of a comprehensive protocol for anticoagulation and transfusions in VV-ECMO for ARDS resulted in a low PRBC requirement, and an ECMO survival comparable to data in the literature. Lower ATIII emerged as a factor associated with increased need for transfusions. Higher PRBC transfusions were associated with ECMO mortality. Further investigations are needed to better understand the right level of anticoagulation in ECMO, and the factors to take into account in order to manage personalized transfusion practice in this select setting.

Differential effects of endogenous, phyto and synthetic cannabinoids on thrombogenesis and platelet activity

This study analysed the impact of anandamide, cannabidiol (CBD), and WIN55,212-2 on platelet activity and thrombogenesis for the first time. The effects of the cannabinoids on venular thrombosis were studied in the ear of hairless mice. Cannabinoid treatment was performed either once or repetitive by a once-daily administration for three days. To assess the role of cyclooxygenase metabolites in the putative action of anandamide, in vivo studies likewise included a combined administration of anandamide with indomethacin. In vitro, the effect of the cannabinoids on human platelet activation was studied by means of P-selectin expression using flow cytometry. Platelets were analysed under resting or thrombin receptor activating peptide (TRAP)-stimulated conditions, both after cannabinoid treatment alone and after TRAP stimulation and subsequent cannabinoid exposure. Finally, platelet count was assessed after treatment with high concentrations of anandamide. Anandamide, but not CBD and WIN55,212-2, significantly accelerated thrombus growth after one-time treatment as compared to vehicle control. Co-administration with indomethacin neutralized this effect. However, thrombogenesis was not altered by repeated treatment with the cannabinoids. In vitro, anandamide was shown to elicit a concentration-dependent activation of resting human platelets. However, at higher concentrations anandamide reduced the response to TRAP activation associated with a decrease of platelet count. CBD and WIN55,212-2 neither increased nor reduced activation of platelets. Acute exposure to anandamide elicits a cyclooxygenase-dependent prothrombotic effect in vivo. Anandamide seems to affect human platelet activation by a concentration-dependent toxic effect. By contrast, CBD and WIN55,212-2 were not associated with induction of thrombosis or activation of platelets. © 2016 BioFactors, 42(6):581-590, 2016.