Ethnic differences in thromboprophylaxis for COVID-19 patients: should they be considered?

Thromboembolic events contribute to morbidity and mortality in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). As a result, thromboprophylaxis using low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is universally recommended for hospitalized patients based on multiple guidelines. However, ethnic differences with respect to thrombogenicity have been reported and the incidence of thromboembolic events is considered to be lower in the Asian population. Despite the importance of thromboprophylaxis, bleeding is also a side effect that should be considered. We examine the data relating to potential ethnic differences in thrombosis and bleeding in COVID-19. Although sufficient data is not yet available, current evidence does not oppose routine anticoagulant use and thromboprophylaxis using a standard dose of LMWH for admitted patients regardless of ethnicity based on our review.

Right Ventricular Thrombus in Transit: Raising the Stakes in the Management of Pulmonary Embolism

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Right heart thrombi are rare and associated with significant mortality.

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RV thrombus was complicated by recurrent pulmonary emboli and managed surgically.

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Recurrent pulmonary emboli in anticoagulated patients may suggest malignancy.

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The optimal treatment for right heart thrombi remains uncertain.

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Surgical thrombectomy is an option, but treatment should be individualized.

Enhanced recovery after surgery pathway: The use of fascia iliaca blocks causes delayed ambulation after total hip arthroplasty

BACKGROUND

Fascia iliaca compartment blocks (FIBs) have been used to provide postoperative analgesia after total hip arthroplasty (THA). However, evidence of their efficacy remains limited. While pain control appears to be satisfactory, quadriceps weakness may be an untoward consequence of the block. Prior studies have shown femoral nerve blocks and fascia iliaca blocks as being superior for pain control and ambulation following THA when compared to standard therapy of parenteral pain control. However, most studies allowed patients to ambulate on post-operative day (POD) 2-3, whereas new guidelines suggest ambulation on POD 0 is beneficial.

AIM

To determine the effect of FIB after THA in patients participating in an enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) program.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients undergoing THA with or without FICBs and their ability to ambulate on POD 0 in accordance with ERAS protocol. Perioperative data was collected on 39 patients who underwent THA. Demographic data, anesthesia data, and ambulatory outcomes were compared.

RESULTS

Twenty patients had FIBs placed at the conclusion of the procedure, while 19 did not receive a block. Of the 20 patients with FIB, only 1 patient was able to ambulate. Of the 19 patients without FIB blocks, 17 were able to ambulate. All patients worked with physical therapy 2 h after arriving in the post-anesthesia care unit on POD 0.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggests an association between FIB and delayed ambulation in the immediate post-operative period.

CD163 macrophage and erythrocyte contents in aspirated deep vein thrombus are associated with the time after onset: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Thrombolytic therapy is effective in selected patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Therefore, identification of a marker that reflects the age of thrombus is of particular concern. This pilot study aimed to identify a marker that reflects the time after onset in human aspirated DVT.

METHODS

We histologically and immunohistochemically analyzed 16 aspirated thrombi. The times from onset to aspiration ranged from 5 to 60 days (median of 13 days). Paraffin sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and antibodies for fibrin, glycophorin A, integrin α2bβ3, macrophage markers (CD68, CD163, and CD206), CD34, and smooth muscle actin (SMA).

RESULTS

All thrombi were immunopositive for glycophorin A, fibrin, integrin α2bβ3, CD68, CD163, and CD206, and contained granulocytes. Almost all of the thrombi had small foci of CD34- or SMA-immunopositive areas. CD68- and CD163-immunopositive cell numbers were positively correlated with the time after onset, while the glycophorin A-immunopositive area was negatively correlated with the time after onset. In double immunohistochemistry, CD163-positive cells existed predominantly among the CD68-immunopositive macrophage population. CD163-positive macrophages were closely localized with glycophorin A, CD34, or SMA-positive cell-rich areas.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that CD163 macrophage and erythrocyte contents could be markers for evaluation of the age of thrombus in DVT. Additionally, CD163 macrophages might play a role in organization of the process of venous thrombus.