Publications by authors named "Tafur A"

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a heterogenous condition with variable clinical presentations. Thrombin generation potential (TGP) and biomarkers, and blood cellular indices can reflect the underlying pathophysiology and risk stratification of PE. This case-control study analyzed TGP in 209 PE patients from Loyola University, Pulmonary Embolism Response Team program compared to normal human plasma (NHP) controls.

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Prognostication in acute pulmonary embolism (PE) requires reliable markers. While cellular indices such as neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) appear promising, their utility in PE prognostication needs further exploration. We utilized data from the RIETE registry and the Loyola University Medical Center (LUMC) to assess the prognostic value of NLR, PLR, and SII in acute PE, using logistic regression models.

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Introduction: Andexanet alfa (AA) - zhzo, recombinant coagulation factor Xa, is an approved antidote for oral Xa inhibitors (apixaban and rivaroxaban). Unfractionated heparin (UFH) is commonly used for therapeutic, interventional, and surgical indications. Protamine sulfate (PrSO) is frequently used to neutralize UFH.

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  • The study examined whether reducing the dose of apixaban from 5 mg to 2.5 mg twice daily is safe for patients with cancer-associated venous thromboembolism (VTE) who have already undergone 6-12 months of anticoagulation therapy.
  • In a trial involving 360 cancer patients, the incidence of major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding was similar between the 2.5 mg and 5 mg groups, with rates of 8.9% and 12.2%, respectively.
  • The findings suggest that reducing the dose of apixaban does not significantly affect bleeding risks, recurrent VTE, or mortality rates in cancer patients, indicating that the
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  • - The study investigates whether incorporating polygenic scores (PGS) for ischemic stroke (IS) and related diseases can enhance current risk assessments that mainly rely on clinical factors.
  • - Data from over 479,000 participants in the UK Biobank revealed that both traditional clinical variables and PGS were independently linked to IS risk, with the combined model showing a slight improvement in predictive accuracy.
  • - Although the addition of PGS to the clinical model improved risk classification, the overall increase in predictive power was modest, suggesting limited clinical utility for this approach.
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Lack of alignment of care protocols among providers in health care is a driver of increased costs and suboptimal patient outcomes. Perioperative anticoagulation management is a good example of a complex area where protocol creation is a clinical challenge that demands input from multiple experts. Questions regarding the need for anticoagulation interruptions are frequent.

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Background:  With the widespread use of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), there is an urgent need for a rapid assay to exclude clinically relevant plasma levels. Accurate and rapid determination of DOAC levels would guide medical decision-making to (1) determine the potential contribution of the DOAC to spontaneous or trauma-induced hemorrhage; (2) identify appropriate candidates for reversal, or (3) optimize the timing of urgent surgery or intervention.

Methods And Results:  The DOAC Dipstick test uses a disposable strip to identify factor Xa- or thrombin inhibitors in a urine sample.

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Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a leading preventable cause of death in surgical patients, and rates of fatal PE are increasing. Individual assessment, to balance the risks of thrombosis and bleeding, is the key to providing appropriate prophylaxis. The risk assessment process includes use of evidence-based guidelines, literature published since the latest guidelines, large registries, and risk scoring systems together with clinical experience and judgment.

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  • - The study examines the rising prevalence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in adults with chronic limb-threatening ischemia (CLTI) from 2000 to 2018, finding that about 23% of CLTI patients also had CAD, which increased over the years from 15.3% to 23.1%.
  • - It reports that individuals with CLTI and CAD have a higher risk of in-hospital mortality and complications, such as bleeding requiring transfusion, compared to those without CAD.
  • - The research highlights a shift in treatment methods, showing an increase in endovascular procedures over surgical ones for patients with both CAD and CLTI, and suggests a need for improved interventions for this vulnerable group.
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Background: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a chronic inflammatory disease of the digestive tract with increasing prevalence globally. Although venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major complication in IBD patients, it is often underappreciated with limited tools for risk stratification.

Aim: To estimate the proportion of VTE among IBD patients and assess genetic risk factors (monogenic and polygenic) for VTE.

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Despite anticoagulation recommendations, patients may present with recurrent events. While medication adherence is always a concern, assessment of anticoagulation failure demands a systematic approach, taking into account the potential limitations of anticoagulants and a review of differential diagnoses for comorbidities. We illustrate our approach in a case presentation.

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The term heparin resistance (HR) is used by clinicians without specific criteria. We performed a literature search and surveyed our SSC membership to better define the term when applied to medical and intensive care unit patients. The most common heparin dosing strategy reported in the literature (53%) and by survey respondents (80.

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Cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT) is common and associated with mortality. We estimated CAT rate by cancer sites and inherited factors among cancer patients from the UK Biobank (N =70,406). The 12-month CAT rate after cancer diagnosis was 2.

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Article Synopsis
  • Thromboprophylaxis with rivaroxaban 10 mg/day for 35 days after COVID-19 hospitalization significantly reduces thrombotic events in high-risk patients compared to no anticoagulation.
  • A decision tree analysis based on the MICHELLE trial data showed that treating patients with rivaroxaban resulted in a cost of $53.37 per patient, compared to $34.22 for no treatment, with a small incremental cost difference of $19.15.
  • The estimated incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of $5385.52 per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) indicates that extended rivaroxaban treatment is a cost-effective option for these patients.
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Goal: Readmissions are a significant financial burden for payers. Cardiovascular-related discharges are particularly prone to readmission. Posthospital discharge support can impact patient recovery and probably reduce patient readmissions.

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Introduction: The available oral anti-Xa agents are routinely used for the management of thrombotic disorders. A molecularly modified recombinant coagulation FXa, also known as Andexanet Alfa (AA), that has been developed as an antidote to neutralize the bleeding effects of oral FXa inhibitors, such as Apixaban and Rivaroxaban.

Materials And Methods: This study utilized thromboelastography (TEG 5000 Hemostasis System), to investigate the neutralizing effects of AA at different concentrations of oral FXa inhibitors measuring such parameters as R-Time, K-Time, Angle, and Max Amplitude (MA).

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Background: The American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline on the Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy addresses 43 Patients-Interventions-Comparators-Outcomes (PICO) questions related to the perioperative management of patients who are receiving long-term oral anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy and require an elective surgery/procedure. This guideline is separated into four broad categories, encompassing the management of patients who are receiving: (1) a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), mainly warfarin; (2) if receiving a VKA, the use of perioperative heparin bridging, typically with a low-molecular-weight heparin; (3) a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC); and (4) an antiplatelet drug.

Methods: Strong or conditional practice recommendations are generated based on high, moderate, low, and very low certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology for clinical practice guidelines.

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Background: The American College of Chest Physicians Clinical Practice Guideline on the Perioperative Management of Antithrombotic Therapy addresses 43 Patients-Interventions-Comparators-Outcomes (PICO) questions related to the perioperative management of patients who are receiving long-term oral anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy and require an elective surgery/procedure. This guideline is separated into four broad categories, encompassing the management of patients who are receiving: (1) a vitamin K antagonist (VKA), mainly warfarin; (2) if receiving a VKA, the use of perioperative heparin bridging, typically with a low-molecular-weight heparin; (3) a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC); and (4) an antiplatelet drug.

Methods: Strong or conditional practice recommendations are generated based on high, moderate, low, and very low certainty of evidence using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology for clinical practice guidelines.

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