Administration of fibrinogen concentrate for refractory bleeding in massively transfused, non-trauma patients with coagulopathy: a retrospective study with comparator group.

Background: This retrospective, single centre study was conducted to investigate the efficacy of fibrinogen concentrate (FBNc) in decreasing blood requirements and reaching optimal fibrinogen level, in non-trauma, massively transfused, bleeding patients with coagulopathy.

Methods: Over a 3-years period, all patients for whom a massive transfusion protocol was activated and had received ≥ 4 units of allogeneic blood components within a ≤ 4 h period, were included. Patients were classified according to whether they received FBNc or achieved an optimal fibrinogen level of ≥ 2 g/L within 24 h after FBNc administration.

Clinical efficacy and safety of the combination of colistin plus vancomycin for the treatment of severe infections caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

A potent synergy of a glycopeptide-colistin combination against Acinetobacter baumannii has recently been described. We set out to assess the efficacy and safety of this combination in a retrospective study including episodes of ventilator-associated pneumonia or bacteremia caused by carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii.

Efficacy of the prothrombin complex concentrate prothromplex in patients requiring urgent reversal of vitamin K antagonists or presenting with uncontrolled bleeding: a retrospective, single center study.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the efficacy of a four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (Prothromplex, PTX) in shortening prolonged international normalized ratio or controlling life-threatening bleeding. The study was a retrospective single-centre study that included 142 patients treated with PTX and allocated in three groups: patients on vitamin K antagonists (VKA) (acenocumarol) and undergoing invasive procedure or presenting with severe bleeding (n = 76), patients treated with VKA presenting with intracranial haemorrhage (n = 22), and patients not on VKA and presenting with uncontrolled bleeding (n = 44). The primary outcome variable was international normalized ratio (INR) return to the norm after PTX infusion.

Use of monoclonal antibodies for metastatic colorectal cancer in the Andalusian public health system.

Background: The place of monoclonal antibodies in metastatic colorectal cancer has not been clearly defined.

Objective: To determine the treatment pattern of monoclonal antibodies in colorectal cancer patients in the Andalusian Public Healthcare System.

Method: Data were collected from all patients treated with these drugs from July 2009 to December 2010 from pharmacy programs and medical records.