Long term survival in patients with human papillomavirus-positive oropharyngeal cancer and equivocal response on 12-week PET-CT is not compromised by the omission of neck dissection.

Background And Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term safety of the omission of immediate neck dissections (IND) in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) achieving a less than complete nodal response on 12-week FDG PET-CT.

Material And Methods: Patients with HPV-positive, node-positive HNSCC that were treated with radical (chemo) radiotherapy (RT) between January 2013 and September 2019 were identified. PET-CT responses were classified as complete (CR), incomplete (ICR) or equivocal (EQR) nodal responses.

Relationship between renal function and circulating microparticles, soluble P-selectin and E-selectin levels in atrial fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) and chronic kidney disease are closely related, and any associated risk of stroke and thromboembolism due to AF is increased by concurrent renal dysfunction. The mechanism(s) for this include abnormalities in platelets and endothelial cells. We hypothesized relationships between levels of circulating platelet microparticles (PMPs, defined by CD42b), soluble P selectin (both reflecting platelet activation), soluble E-selectin (reflecting endothelial activation) and endothelial/platelet microparticles (EPMPs, defined by CD31) with progressive renal dysfunction.

Effects of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants on fibrin clot and whole blood clot formation, integrity and thrombolysis in patients with atrial fibrillation.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) are replacing warfarin and heparins in several clinical situations. With varying modes of action, the effects of NOACs on thrombus formation, integrity, and lysis is unknown. To determine whether two techniques of thrombelastography (TEG) and a micro-plate assay (MPA) provide novel data on thrombus formation, integrity and lysis in those taking a NOACs compared to warfarin and a control group taking aspirin.

Effect of renal function on whole blood and fibrin clot formation in atrial fibrillation patients on warfarin.

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) brings a risk of thrombosis, requiring oral coagulation, and is associated with renal impairment. The two processes may be linked, as altered fibrin clot structure is present in end-stage renal failure. We hypothesised that progressively deteriorating renal function is linked to altered whole blood and fibrin clot properties and fibrinolysis.

Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in patients with concomitant atrial fibrillation and heart failure: a systemic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials.

Background: No pooled analysis has been undertaken to assess the efficacy and safety of the non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with warfarin in the subgroup of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and heart failure (HF), including edoxaban data from recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

Methods: Comprehensive literature searches were conducted using the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and Scopus databases from inception to April 2015. Statistical analyses were performed using RevMan 5.

Efficacy and safety of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants vs. warfarin in Japanese patients with atrial fibrillation – meta-analysis.

Background: Non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOAC) have been developed as alternatives to warfarin. Until recently, the latter was the standard oral anticoagulant for patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The efficacy and safety of NOAC in Japanese patients with NVAF has been investigated in small trials or subgroups from global randomized control trials (RCT).

Updated NICE guideline: management of atrial fibrillation (2014).

There is significant progress made in the field of atrial fibrillation, especially regarding stroke stratification, novel pharmacological agents and interventions for improving symptom control. The Updated NICE Guideline for management of 2014 reflects that and provided an up-to-date appraisal regarding atrial fibrillation treatment, management with consideration to overall healthcare cost economics. It emphasizes the need for individualized, patient-centered package of care, and an robust stroke and bleeding risk before decision regarding choice of oral anticoagulation to be made.

Vernakalant hydrochloride to treat atrial fibrillation.

Introduction: Intravenous vernakalant (Brinavess) has been developed and approved in Europe as a safe and efficacious drug to rapidly convert recent onset atrial fibrillation to sinus rhythm in patients with no minimal or structural heart disease.

Areas Covered: The pharmacology of vernakalant and the pivotal Phase II and III clinical trials undertaken during its development are discussed with regard to safety and efficacy. An extensive PubMed search was used to identify suitable papers.