Regional anaesthesia in patients taking anticoagulant drugs

Many surgical patients are taking drugs that impair normal coagulation, and this causes concern about the risk of perioperative bleeding events. The anaesthetist is particularly concerned about compressive vertebral canal haematomas, which may occur after spinal or epidural anaesthetic techniques. Fortunately, the risk of this complication is very low. The major risk factors are coagulopathy or technical difficulties with the block. There is also concern about perineural haematomas, which may be associated with peripheral nerve blocks. This article attempts to put the risks of these complications into context, with reference to different classes of anticoagulant drugs.     

Anticoagulation management in hip fracture patients on warfarin

The management of patients admitted with a fracture requiring surgery who are taking warfarin anticoagulation is unclear. We examined the anticoagulation management for 33 hip fracture patients on warfarin at the time of admission. Hospital course and complications were recorded on all patients. The mean INR on admission was 3.2 and prior to surgery 2.2. Eight patients (24%) had percutaneous cancellous screws for an intracapsular fracture regardless of the admission INR. In 21 (64%) patients, surgery was delayed whilst the INR came down, with an average delay of 72 h from admission to surgery. No specific treatment to lower the INR, other than wait and watch policy adopted in 11 (33%) of these patients. Pharmacological methods used to reduce the INR were fresh frozen plasma in nine cases, and intravenous Vitamin K in four patients. One patient died from post-operative haematemesis and three died from medical complications unrelated to the warfarin therapy. There were no wound haematomas or other bleeding complications. Delaying surgery whilst waiting for the INR to fall to acceptable levels may result in significant delays to surgery and we would recommend a more aggressive policy to enable earlier surgery.     

The safety of open inguinal herniorraphy in patients on chronic warfarin therapy

BACKGROUND: The perioperative management of warfarin therapy increases the complexity of open inguinal herniorraphy. METHODS: One thousand consecutive patients undergoing open inguinal herniorraphy were retrospectively reviewed. Patients on warfarin therapy were categorized into 3 groups: continued warfarin (CW), discontinued warfarin (DW), and discontinued warfarin with anticoagulation bridge (DWB). RESULTS: Eighty-eight patients were on chronic warfarin therapy. Warfarin was continued in 19 patients, discontinued in 54, and discontinued with bridge in 15 patients. Operative times were similar between the 3 groups. Length of stay was longest in the discontinued warfarin with bridge group (CW 0.74, DW 0.54, and DWB 3.33 days; P < .0001). There was no significant difference in postoperative complications. The incidence of surgical site hematoma was higher in the continued warfarin and discontinued warfarin with bridge groups (CW 11%, DW 2%, and DWB 13%; P = .14). CONCLUSIONS: Continuation of warfarin may be a safe alternative to discontinuation of warfarin therapy in select patients undergoing open inguinal herniorraphy.     

The use of warfarin as thromboprophylaxis for lower limb arthroplasty

INTRODUCTION

Most orthopaedic surgeons in the UK use some form of prophylaxis against venous thromboembolic events. Warfarin has been recommended as one of the preferred methods to use. The period of in-hospital postoperative rehabilitation has reduced significantly since lower limb arthroplasty was introduced. We sought to identify and quantify any delay in discharge associated in using warfarin as chemical prophylaxis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

During a 12-week period, all patients undergoing a lower limb arthroplasty procedure were identified and any delay in discharge related to their warfarin prophylaxis was recorded.

RESULTS

Of the 25 arthroplasties performed in this time period, 17 (68%) were subject to a delay. The total delay in discharge was 39 days. When the standard warfarin dosing protocol was followed, 33% of patients were still delayed. When the protocol was not followed, only 23% were delayed. The majority of deviations from the protocol led to a shorter hospital stay.

DISCUSSION

Patients using warfarin prophylaxis generate an additional cost of £417 related to bed occupancy. There is considerable scope for significantly reducing this cost by moving the early postoperative anticoagulation monitoring into the community. Delayed discharge is an important consideration in the economic issues that surround the choice of thromboprophylaxis.     

Direct oral anticoagulants compared with warfarin in patients with severe blunt trauma

MethodsWe queried our Trauma Quality Improvement Program registry for patients who presented between 6/1/2011 and 9/1/2015 with severe (injury severity score (ISS) > 15) blunt traumatic injury during anticoagulant use. Patients were then grouped into those prescribed warfarin and patients prescribed any of the available novel Direct Oral Anticoagulants (DOAC) medications. We excluded severe (AIS ≧ 4) head injuries.ResultsThere were no differences between DOAC and warfarin groups in terms of age, gender mean ISS, median hospital or intensive care unit lengths of stay, complication proportions, numbers of complications per patient, or the proportion of patients requiring transfusion. Finally, excluding patients who died, the observed proportion of discharge to skilled nursing facility was similar.In our sample of trauma patients, DOAC use was associated with significantly lower mortality (DOAC group 8.3% vs. warfarin group 29.5%, p < 0.015). The ratio of units transfused per patient was also lower in the DOAC group (2.8 ± 1.8 units/patient in the DOAC group vs. 6.7 ± 6.4 units per patient in the warfarin group; p = 0.001).ConclusionIn conclusion, we report an association with decrease in mortality and a decrease in transfused blood products in severely injured trauma patients with likely minimal or no head injury taking novel DOACs over those anticoagulated with warfarin for outpatient anticoagulation.     

老年人腹腔镜胆囊切除术安全因素探讨

目的 :探讨保证老年人腹腔镜胆囊切除术安全需采取的对策。方法 :回顾 85例老年人行腹腔镜胆囊切除术的临床资料。。结果 :术中逆行胆囊切除 2例。中转开腹 6例 ,其中 4例胆囊三角区严重粘连解剖不清 ,2例术中大出血。肝下放置引流 15例。术后腹腔积液 2例 ,肺部感染 1例 ,右上腹剧痛 2例 ,均经保守治疗治愈。住院 5～ 14d ,平均 7 5d。结论 :术前充分准备 ,严格掌握手术适应证 ,熟练掌握手术操作技能 ,可提高老年人腹腔镜胆囊切除的安全性     

A protocol for the rapid normalization of INR in trauma patients with intracranial hemorrhage on prescribed warfarin therapy

Trauma patients on prescribed warfarin therapy sustaining intracranial hemorrhage can be difficult to manage. Rapid normalization of coagulopathy is imperative to operative intervention and may affect outcomes. To identify and expedite warfarin reversal, we designed a protocol to administer a prothrombin complex concentrate. A Proplex T protocol was instituted in May 2004. It dictated that trauma patients with an International Normalized Ratio (INR) greater than 1.5, history of prescribed warfarin therapy, and intracranial hemorrhage on CT scan receive a prothrombin complex concentrate for reversal of their coagulopathy. Neither the protocol nor the factor concentrate was validated for use in this subset of trauma patients; therefore, adherence to the protocol and use of the factor concentrate was not mandatory. Patients not administered the prothrombin complex concentrate received vitamin K and fresh-frozen plasma. The protocol resulted in an increased number of patients receiving Proplex T (54.3% vs 35.4%, P = 0.047). Protocol patients had improved times to normalization of INR (331.3 vs 737.8 minutes, P = 0.048), number of patients with reversal of coagulopathy (73.2% vs 50.9%, P = 0.026), and time to operative intervention (222.6 vs 351.3 minutes, P = 0.045) compared with control subjects. There were no differences in intensive care unit (ICU) days, hospital days, or mortality. The Proplex T protocol increased the number of patients who received prothrombin complex concentrate, provided rapid normalization of INR, and improved time to operative intervention.     

Shoulder arthroplasty in patients with a history of epilepsy is safe and effective

BackgroundThe safety of shoulder arthroplasty for patients with a history of convulsive seizures is unknown. Concerns include the possibility of a postoperative seizure resulting in dislocation, cuff disruption, or implant failure. We sought to compare outcomes and complications following shoulder arthroplasty in patients with and without a history of convulsive seizures.MethodsOur institutional Total Joint Registry Database was queried to identify all patients with a history of convulsive seizures who had undergone a primary shoulder arthroplasty between 2000 and 2018. The query identified 56 shoulders (49 patients) with an average age of 61.8 years. 51.8% of patients were female. This cohort was matched 2:1 to a group of patients with similar surgical and demographic characteristics who did not have a seizure history. Kaplan–Meier estimates and univariate Cox regression models were utilized to compare implant survival and reoperation rates. Patient-reported outcomes, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score were also extracted.ResultsAt most recent follow-up, cumulative reoperation rates were equivalent between the groups (P = .9) with 3 reoperations out of 56 shoulders (5.4%) in the seizure group, and 7 reoperations out of 112 shoulders (6.3%) in the nonseizure group. Rates of implant revision were also similar. Five-year Kaplan–Meier survival estimates free of reoperation were 97.8% (95% confidence interval, 91.1-100.0) in the seizure group and 93.1% (95% confidence interval, 87.4-98.9) in the nonseizure group. Postoperatively, 23 of 56 patients in the seizure group had at least 1 known seizure after their index arthroplasty, at an average of 4.4 years after surgery. None of the patients with postoperative seizures sustained a dislocation. Altogether only 3 episodes of prosthetic dislocation were observed, all in the nonseizure group. The only complication attributable to a seizure was an early postoperative seizure resulting in subscapularis failure, although this patient never underwent reoperation. Patient-reported outcomes and range of motion were similar between groups, with average American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons scores of 77.2 and 74.9 in the seizure and nonseizure groups, respectively (P = .6).DiscussionReoperation rates and implant survival following shoulder arthroplasty were similar when comparing patients with and without a history of convulsive seizures. Postarthroplasty seizures occurred in a notable number of patients but did not result in any major complications. While it remains prudent to ensure that patients’ seizures are well controlled prior to arthroplasty, our data suggest that individuals with a convulsive seizure disorder can undergo shoulder arthroplasty safely.     

创伤性肺栓塞患者应用华法林治疗前后血流动力学变化及意义

目的 探讨华法林对创伤性肺栓塞患者血流动力学的影响及临床意义.方法 从2011年5月至2013年5月收治的创伤性肺栓塞患者中随机选择50例进行研究,设为治疗组,实施华法林治疗.另择50例健康者作为正常对照组,观察记录两组的血流动力学变化情况.采用SPSS 15.0统计软件分析,计量资料采用t检验,并用（（x-）±s）表示,P＜0.05代表差异有统计学意义.结果 治疗前,治疗组的心率、体血管阻力、胸腔静水压、肺循环阻力（指标1）均显著高于正常对照组,差异均有统计学意义（P＜0.05）,平均动脉压、心脏指数、每搏输出量、每搏指数、肺动脉嵌压（指标2）均显著低于正常对照组（P＜0.05）.治疗后45 h,治疗组的指标2仍均低于正常对照组,只有90 h后治疗组的肺循环阻力与正常对照组差异无统计学意义（t=2.18,P＞0.05）.且治疗后各指标不同时间点与治疗前比较,差异均有统计学意义（均P＜0.05）.通过对患者国际标准化比值（INR）的监测,调整华法林实际用量,治疗过程中,比值始终保持在2.0 ～3.0,所有患者均未出现出血现象.结论 华法林会对创伤性肺栓塞患者血流动力学产生一定的影响,通过监测患者治疗过程中的血流动力学变化情况,可以更好的指导临床评估和治疗.     

An evidence-based warfarin management protocol reduces surgical delay in hip fracture patients

Background

Up to 4 % of patients presenting with a hip fracture may be on warfarin at admission. There is little consensus on the timing, dosage or route of vitamin K administration. We aimed to evaluate the impact of a locally developed, evidence-based protocol for perioperative warfarin management on the admission-to-operation time (AOT) in hip fracture patients.

Materials and methods

Clinical and demographic data were collected prospectively for hip fracture patients who were on warfarin at the time of admission (post-protocol group) and compared to a historical control group of patients who were on warfarin before implementation of the protocol (pre-protocol group). Univariate analysis was undertaken to identify any significant differences between the two groups.

Results

Twenty-seven patients in the pre-protocol group (27/616, 4.4 %) and 40 patients in the post-protocol group (4.7 %, 40/855) were on warfarin at admission. There was a significant reduction in the median AOT from 73 h (IQR 46–105) to 37.7 h (IQR 28–45) after implementation of the warfarin protocol (p < 0.001). The proportion of patients operated on within 48 h of admission increased from 30 % (8/27) in the pre-protocol group to 80 % (32/40) in the post-protocol group (p < 0.001). No significant differences in hospital length of stay (p = 0.77) or the postoperative warfarin recommencement time (p = 0.90) were noted between the two groups.

Conclusion

Implementation of a perioperative warfarin management protocol can expedite surgery in hip fracture patients, but did not reduce hospital stay in our cohort, possibly because of a delay in recommencing warfarin in these patients postoperatively.

Level of evidence

Level III.     

Herpes zoster in patients taking TNFalpha antagonists for chronic inflammatory joint disease

ObjectiveTo assess the rate of occurrence and outcomes of herpes zoster in patients taking TNFα antagonists.MethodsRetrospective review of the medical records of 300 patients who received TNFα antagonists to treat chronic inflammatory joint disease.ResultsWe identified 9 (9/300, 3%) patients who experienced herpes zoster, 6 women and 3 men, with rheumatoid arthritis (n = 7) or ankylosing spondylitis (n = 2). The drug was infliximab in 4 patients, adalimumab in 2 patients, and etanercept in 3 patients, including 2 patients with a prior history of infliximab therapy (for 12 and 36 months, respectively). Mean treatment duration at the occurrence of herpes zoster was 27 months (range, 6–42 months).DiscussionGlucocorticoid therapy (n = 7) and methotrexate therapy (n = 6) were the only risk factors identified in our study. Mean follow-up was 26 months. All 9 patients achieved a full recovery with antiviral treatment and interruption of the TNFα antagonist. One patient experienced a recurrence after resuming TNFα antagonist therapy.ConclusionThe scant data in the literature suggest a higher risk of herpes zoster with anti-TNFα antibodies than with the soluble receptor. The role for concomitant treatments (glucocorticoids and methotrexate) should be taken into account.     

苄丙酮香豆素对实验性大鼠肾草酸钙结石形成的影响

目的：探讨Vit．K拮抗剂苄丙酮香豆素(商品名华法令)对大鼠肾草酸钙结石形成的影响。方法：采用乙二醇饮水和氯化铵灌胃作成石剂，30只Wistar大鼠随机分为对照组(A组)、成石组(B组)、华法令组(C组)。饲养4周后，检测大鼠肾组织钙含量和草酸钙晶体形成、24h尿钙、尿草酸含量及血生化指标。结果：成石组和华法令组肾组织中钙、镁含量，24h尿草酸及尿钙、镁排泄量差异无显著性意义；镜下观察发现：华法令组大鼠肾脏草酸钙结晶形成多于成石组，但组间比较差异无显著性意义。结论：苄丙酮香豆素对大鼠肾草酸钙结石的形成无显著影响。     

Acute thrombus formation in the left atrium after the termination of warfarin

We report a case of acute thrombosis formation in the left atrium 3 days after the discontinuation of warfarin therapy prior to mitral valve replacement in a patient with mitral stenosis and atrial fibrillation. A 58-year-old Asian female patient was scheduled for mitral valve replacement for mitral stenosis. She had received warfarin therapy every day for 2 years. Warfarin therapy was discontinued 3 days before surgery. Using transesophageal echocardiography (TEE), we confirmed that there was no thromboembolism at the left atrium 10 days before surgery. No replacement anticoagulant therapy, such as heparin, was given after the discontinuation of warfarin. After the induction of anesthesia, a TEE probe was inserted through the esophagus to monitor left ventricular function. We found two thrombi (35mm and 40mm in diameter) in the left atrium. This case shows that discontinuation of warfarin therapy within a few days before operation carries a risk of thromboembolism formation.     

Treatment of the sacroiliac joint in patients with leg pain: a randomized-controlled trial

Purpose

The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) may be a cause of sciatica. The aim of this study was to assess which treatment is successful for SIJ-related back and leg pain.

Methods

Using a single-blinded randomised trial, we assessed the short-term therapeutic efficacy of physiotherapy, manual therapy, and intra-articular injection with local corticosteroids in the SIJ in 51 patients with SIJ-related leg pain. The effect of the treatment was evaluated after 6 and 12 weeks.

Results

Of the 51 patients, 25 (56 %) were successfully treated. Physiotherapy was successful in 3 out of 15 patients (20 %), manual therapy in 13 of the 18 (72 %), and intra-articular injection in 9 of 18 (50 %) patients (p = 0.01). Manual therapy had a significantly better success rate than physiotherapy (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

In this small single-blinded prospective study, manual therapy appeared to be the choice of treatment for patients with SIJ-related leg pain. A second choice of treatment to be considered is an intra-articular injection.     

A kick in the shins: The financial impact of uncontrolled warfarin use in pre-tibial haematomas

Warfarin is increasingly prescribed in the elderly population for a number of medical conditions. Pre-tibial haematomas are a common cause of morbidity in this group. The aim of the study was to identify the proficiency of INR monitoring at a primary care level in correlation with their recommended INR range and to study the treatment outcome in this group.     

Simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty is safe and effective for patients in different ages

BackgroundSimultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty is considered beneficial for patients with bilateral end-stage knee osteoarthritis, even though there could be potential postoperative complications. Presently, there is a paucity of evidence of the efficacy and safety of SB-TKA for elderly patients. This study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty by different age groups.MethodsA total of 216 knees of 108 patients, who underwent simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis at our hospital between April 2015 and September 2018, were divided into three groups based on age: 60s (44 knees), 70s (106 knees), and 80s (66 knees). Perioperative data and postoperative clinical outcomes 1 year after surgery were compared between the age groups.ResultsThe patients in the Group 60s were characterized by a higher body mass index (BMI) (P < 0.01), a lower pre-operative knee function score (P < 0.01), longer operation time (P < 0.01), greater intra-operative (P < 0.01), and postoperative bleeding (P = 0.026). No significant difference was found in terms of occurrence of various postoperative complications, although deep vein thrombosis and delirium occurred slightly more frequently in the Group 70s and the Group 80s than in the Group 60s group. The Knee Society Knee Score, a function score, and patient satisfaction scores were significantly improved in all groups 1 year after surgery. Moreover, these indexes of clinical outcomes were similar among the three groups.ConclusionPerforming simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty in 80s patients was found to be as safe and effective as in the 60s and 70s patients.Level of evidence3 (A retrospective cohort study).