A comparison of the in vitro effects of three fibrinogen concentrates on clot strength in blood samples from cardiac surgery patients.

Background: Fibrinogen concentrate is used clinically to improve hemostasis in bleeding patients. We investigated and compared the efficacy of three commercially available fibrinogen concentrates to improve clot strength in blood samples from cardiac surgery patients.

Objectives: Postoperative blood samples were collected from 23 cardiac surgery patients.

A randomized trial comparing the nephrotoxicity of cisplatin/ifosfamide-based combination chemotherapy with or without amifostine in patients with solid tumors.

This study evaluates the degree of kidney damage during cisplatin/ifosfamide-based combination chemotherapy and its possible prevention by amifostine. Thirty-one patients with solid tumors stratified according to pretreatment were randomized to receive VIP- or TIP-chemotherapy with or without amifostine (910 mg/m2) given as a short infusion prior to cisplatin. Chemotherapy consisted of cisplatin (50 mg/m2), ifosfamide (4 g/m2) and either etoposide (500 mg/m2) (= VIP) or paclitaxel (175 mg/m2) (= TIP) repeated at 3 weekly intervals.