Clinical outcomes with unfractionated heparin monitored by anti-factor Xa vs. activated partial Thromboplastin time.

Anti-factor Xa (anti-Xa) monitoring of unfractionated heparin (UFH) is associated with less time to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation compared to the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). However, it is unknown whether clinical outcomes differ between these methods of monitoring. The aim of this research was to compare the rate of venous thrombosis and bleeding events in patients that received UFH monitored by anti-Xa compared to the aPTT.

Belatacept for maintenance immunosuppression in cardiothoracic transplantation: The potential frontier.

Current immunosuppressive regimens with calcineurin inhibitors have improved the management of patients after transplantation. However, their adverse effects are linked to increased morbidity and limit the long-term survival of heart and lung transplant recipients. Belatacept, a costimulation inhibitor interfering with the interaction between CD28 on T cells and the B7 ligands on antigen presenting cells, has shown success and is currently approved for use in renal transplant recipients.