Elevated Anti-Xa in the Setting of Prophylactic Unfractionated Subcutaneous Heparin Administration.

Venous thromboembolism prophylaxis with subcutaneous unfractionated heparin or low molecular weight heparin is a common practice in hospitalized patients. Typically, prophylactic doses of these medications have poor bioavailability and thus do not reach therapeutic serum concentrations. However, in certain circumstances, heparin binding proteins may become saturated.

Role of small airway dysfunction in unexplained exertional dyspnoea.

Background: Isolated small airway abnormalities may be demonstrable at rest in patients with normal spirometry; however, the relationship of these abnormalities to exertional symptoms remains uncertain. This study uses an augmented cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) to include evaluation of small airway function during and following exercise to unmask abnormalities not evident with standard testing in individuals with dyspnoea and normal spirometry.

Methods: Three groups of subjects were studied: 1) World Trade Center (WTC) dust exposure (n=20); 2) Clinical Referral (n=15); and Control (n=13).

Advances in the management of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

The management of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has significantly evolved over the last decades in the wake of more sensitive diagnostics and specialized clinical programs that can provide focused medical care. In the current era of PAH care, 1-year survival rates have increased to 86%-90% from 65% in the 1980s, and average long-term survival has increased to 6 years from 2.8 years.

Advanced management of intermediate-high risk pulmonary embolism.

This article is one of ten reviews selected from the Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2021. Other selected articles can be found online at https://www.biomedcentral.