Transitioning to Unfractionated Heparin in Treatment of Non-ST-Segment Elevation Myocardial Infarction Patients on Direct Oral Anti-Xa Inhibitors.

The heparin anti-Xa assay is affected by the use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and is utilized in the management of intravenous unfractionated heparin. Patients with non-ST-segment myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) receive intravenous unfractionated heparin with prior administration of DOACs poses challenges given these laboratory abnormalities. On this background, we evaluate if an elevated heparin anti-Xa assay may lead to the decision to delay heparin in the management of NSTEMI patients and the outcome of in-hospital mortality.

Correlation of MRSA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) wound swab testing and wound cultures in skin and soft tissue infections.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus is a considerable pathogen in the setting of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs). MRSA PCR swab testing is widely used in the setting of respiratory tract infections, however little data exists relating to the use of MRSA PCR swab testing in SSTIs. Three thousand, nine hundred and ninety-five patients were included in this retrospective study that aimed to validate the clinical correlation of MRSA PCR wound swab testing in SSTIs through sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), and positive predictive value (PPV) analysis.