Dramatic Decrease of Vitamin K2 Subtype Menaquinone-7 in COVID-19 Patients.

: Vitamin K (VK) is a fat-soluble compound with a common chemical structure, a 2-methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone ring, and a variable aliphatic side-chain. VK is involved in the synthesis of blood-clotting proteins, bone stability, anti-oxidative, and immune inflammatory-modulatory functions. Vitamin K also activates protein S, which acts as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.

Platelet Inhibition and Bleeding in Patients Undergoing Non-Cardiac Surgery-The BIANCA Observational Study.

Nearly 20% of patients will need non-cardiac surgery within 1 year of coronary stenting and their management is complicated by concomitant antiplatelet therapy. Platelet function testing may optimize the timing of surgery in these patients. In this prospective observational study, we explored the association between platelet reactivity and bleeding in patients undergoing non-cardiac surgery treated with clopidogrel with or without aspirin within 7 days before surgery.

Galactomannan testing and Aspergillus PCR in same-day bronchoalveolar lavage and blood samples for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis.

In recent years galactomannan antigen testing (GM) and also Aspergillus PCR have become increasingly important for diagnosis of invasive aspergillosis (IA). Whether or not these tests need to be performed with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF; i.e.

Does Platelet Reactivity Predict Bleeding in Patients Needing Urgent Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting During Dual Antiplatelet Therapy?

Background: Up to 15% of patients require coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) during dual antiplatelet therapy. Available evidence suggests an association between platelet reactivity and CABG-related bleeding. However, platelet reactivity cutoffs for bleeding remain elusive.

Detection of (1→3)-β-D-glucan in same-day urine and serum samples obtained from patients with haematological malignancies.

Serum 1,3-beta-d-glucan (BDG) testing is an established diagnostic marker for invasive fungal infections (IFI) among patients with haematological malignancies. In contrast limited data exist regarding the application of urine BDG testing. Same-day midstream urine and serum screening samples were collected in adult patients with underlying haematological malignancies.

Characteristics of hospital-acquired and community-onset blood stream infections, South-East Austria.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to compare epidemiology, causative pathogens, outcome, and levels of laboratory markers of inflammation of community-onset (i.e. community-acquired and healthcare-associated) and hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (BSI) in South-East Austria.

Inverse association of the endogenous thrombin potential (ETP) with cardiovascular death: the Ludwigshafen Risk and Cardiovascular Health (LURIC) study.

Background: Coagulation and prothrombotic potential have genuinely been associated with increased cardiovascular risk. However, not all studies in this regard are conclusive. Some clinical trials have shown an increased frequency of cardiovascular complications in patients receiving direct thrombin inhibitors.

Impact of structured personal on-site patient education on low posaconazole plasma concentrations in patients with haematological malignancies.

Low posaconazole plasma concentrations (PPCs) are associated with breakthrough invasive mould infections among patients with haematological malignancies. This study evaluated the influence of structured personal on-site patient education on low PPCs. The study was conducted from July 2012 to May 2013 at the Division of Hematology, Medical University Hospital of Graz (Graz, Austria).

Serum 1,3-beta-d-glucan for antifungal treatment stratification at the intensive care unit and the influence of surgery.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate a preemptive approach with serum 1,3-beta-d-glucan (BDG) as a marker for treatment stratification of systemic antifungal (AF) therapy in patients with clinical suspected invasive fungal infections (IFI) at intensive care units (ICU), and the impact of surgical procedures. A total of 66 ICU patients with clinical suspected IFI were included in this retrospective analysis. Serum BDG testing was performed prior to initiation of AF treatment and in addition to routine diagnostic measures.

Procalcitonin fails to predict bacteremia in SIRS patients: a cohort study.

Background: Procalcitonin (PCT) has previously been proposed as useful marker to rule out bloodstream-infection (BSI). The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity of different PCT cut-offs for prediction of BSI in patients with community (CA)- and hospital-acquired (HA)-BSI.

Methods: A total of 898 patients fulfilling systemic-inflammatory-response-syndrome (SIRS) criteria were enrolled in this prospective cohort study at the Medical University of Graz, Austria.

Performance of galactomannan, beta-d-glucan, Aspergillus lateral-flow device, conventional culture, and PCR tests with bronchoalveolar lavage fluid for diagnosis of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis.

Galactomannan detection in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid samples (GM test) is currently considered the gold standard test for diagnosing invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The limitations, however, are the various turnaround times and availability of testing. We compared the performance of GM testing with that of conventional culture, an Aspergillus lateral-flow-device (LFD) test, a beta-d-glucan (BDG) test, and an Aspergillus PCR assay by using BAL fluid samples from immunocompromised patients.

Potential factors for inadequate voriconazole plasma concentrations in intensive care unit patients and patients with hematological malignancies.

Voriconazole plasma concentrations (VPCs) vary widely, and concentrations outside the therapeutic range are associated with either worse outcome in invasive aspergillosis (IA) or increased toxicity. The primary goal of this cohort study conducted in a real-life setting was to identify potential factors associated with inadequate VPCs in ICU patients and patients with hematological malignancies. Within a period of 12 months, trough VPCs were obtained and analyzed with high-performance liquid chromatography, and the adequate range was defined as 1.

Reticulocyte hemoglobin content allows early and reliable detection of functional iron deficiency in blood donors.

Background: Frequent blood donations may lead to a depletion of body iron stores resulting in manifest anemia. Reticulocyte hemoglobin content (CHr) - a marker for impaired hemoglobinisation (IH) caused by functional iron deficiency (FID) - was investigated regarding its value as a routine screening parameter in frequent whole blood donors.

Methods: In a prospective study, 917 frequent blood donors and 688 first time or reactivated donors were tested for iron status and red blood cell count, including CHr.