Thromboelastography Predicts Thromboembolism in Critically Ill Coagulopathic Patients.

Objectives: Critically ill patients with deranged conventional coagulation tests are often perceived to have an increased bleeding risk. Whether anticoagulant prophylaxis for these patients should be withheld is contentious. This study assessed the ability of using in vitro clot strength, as measured by thromboelastography, to predict thromboembolism in patients with abnormal coagulation profiles.

MedFit App, a Behavior-Changing, Theoretically Informed Mobile App for Patient Self-Management of Cardiovascular Disease: User-Centered Development.

Background: The MedFit app is designed to facilitate participation of people with cardiovascular disease (CVD) in an exercise-based rehabilitation program remotely. This paper details the development for the MedFit app.

Objective: The aim of this research was to develop a behavior change, theoretically informed exercise rehabilitation mobile app for adults with CVD by following the early stages of the formative research: development and feasibility testing.

Behavior Change Techniques in Physical Activity eHealth Interventions for People With Cardiovascular Disease: Systematic Review.

Background: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of premature death and disability in Europe, accounting for 4 million deaths per year and costing the European Union economy almost €196 billion annually. There is strong evidence to suggest that exercise-based secondary rehabilitation programs can decrease the mortality risk and improve health among patients with CVD. Theory-informed use of behavior change techniques (BCTs) is important in the design of cardiac rehabilitation programs aimed at changing cardiovascular risk factors.

Predictors of an increased in vitro thrombotic and bleeding tendency in critically ill trauma and non-trauma patients.

Trauma patients are at a high risk of both bleeding and thromboembolism. This study assessed whether conventional coagulation blood tests were reliable predictors of an increased in vitro thrombotic and bleeding tendency of trauma and non-trauma patients. Conventional coagulation blood tests and thromboelastographs of 63 trauma and 63 randomly selected, critically ill non-trauma patients were compared.

Extracorporeal-assisted rewarming in the management of accidental deep hypothermic cardiac arrest: a systematic review of the literature.

A systematic review of the literature surrounding the use of Extra-Corporeal Assisted Rewarming (ECAR) in patients presenting with deep hypothermia or hypothermic cardiac arrest was undertaken using a structured protocol. Thirty-one papers were deemed suitable for review, 13 of these were of sufficient quality to permit systematic data analysis. The primary outcome measure was survival to hospital discharge.

Reactive thrombocytosis and risk of subsequent venous thromboembolism: a cohort study.

Background: It is uncertain whether reactive thrombocytosis is associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism. This study assessed the incidence of reactive thrombocytosis, defined as platelet count ≥ 500 × 10(9)  L(-1) , at intensive care unit discharge and its association with subsequent venous thromboembolism.

Methods And Results: This cohort study involved linkage of routinely collected intensive care unit, laboratory, radiology and death registry data of critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care unit between January 2009 and March 2010.

In vitro thrombotic tendency of reactive thrombocytosis in critically ill patients: a prospective case-control study.

It is uncertain whether reactive thrombocytosis is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. This prospective case-control study assessed the in vitro thrombotic tendency of patients with reactive thrombocytosis. Forty-eight patients with reactive thrombocytosis, defined by platelet count >500x10(9)/l and 55 similar, randomly selected critically ill patients who did not have reactive thrombocytosis were considered.

The pulmonary artery catheter sleeve--protective or infective?

The use of sterile plastic sleeves to protect pulmonary artery catheters (PAC) may decrease infection risk. The catheter may require manipulation but contamination of the sleeve risks inoculating organisms into the patients. We sought to determine whether the sleeve remains sterile and for how long.

Meta-analysis of nebulized amphotericin B to prevent or treat pulmonary aspergillosis in immunosuppressed animals.

Objectives: Pulmonary aspergillosis in immunosuppressed patients is associated with significant mortality and morbidity. We assessed the prophylactic and therapeutic effect of nebulized amphotericin B (AmB) on mortality of immunosuppressed animals with pulmonary aspergillosis in this meta-analysis.

Methods: Literature search was based on MEDLINE (1966 to January 15, 2007), EMBASE, and Cochrane-Controlled Trials Register (2006 issue 4) databases.