Observed Apixaban Anti-Xa Levels in Obese Patients.

Background: Recent guidelines suggest that, for venous thromboembolism (VTE), standard doses of apixaban are appropriate in patients with body mass index (BMI) >40 kg/m2 or >120 kg. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is excluded from this recommendation.

Objective: The goals of our study were to measure and describe anti-Xa levels of patients with a BMI ≥40 kg/m2 and/or a weight ≥120 kg with a clinical indication of AF or VTE who were treated with apixaban, and to determine whether BMI or weight are associated with anti-Xa levels in this population.

A Retrospective Analysis Comparing Post-Operative Bleeding with Various Doses of Aspirin after Lower Extremity Joint Arthroplasty or Revision.

Study Objective: Previous studies have shown that aspirin is noninferior to other anticoagulation therapies in preventing postoperative venous thromboembolism following lower extremity arthroplasty or revision; however, its optimal dosing for this indication is less clear. This study aims to compare the odds of bleeding between different aspirin dosages following lower extremity joint arthroplasty or revision.

Design: This is a 3-year retrospective multi-center cohort study across the United States and its territories.

A retrospective analysis of bleeding risk with rivaroxaban, enoxaparin, and aspirin following total joint arthroplasty or revision.

Study Objective: Rivaroxaban, enoxaparin, and aspirin are commonly used medications for thromboprophylaxis following lower extremity joint arthroplasty or revision. Previous research has demonstrated efficacy in preventing venous thromboembolism with each medication, however, the comparative risk of bleeding between them remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to compare the odds of bleeding between rivaroxaban, enoxaparin, and aspirin following lower extremity joint arthroplasty or revision.

Correcting Hypokalemia in Hospitalized Patients Does Not Decrease Risk of Cardiac Arrhythmias.

Background: It is currently standard practice to correct hypokalemia for the purpose of preventing cardiac arrhythmias in all hospitalized patients. However, the efficacy of this intervention has never been previously studied.

Objective: The objective of our study was to evaluate whether patients without acute coronary syndrome or history of arrhythmias were at increased risk of clinically significant cardiac arrhythmias if their potassium level was not corrected to ≥3.