In vitro effects of detergent sclerosants on coagulation, platelets and microparticles.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the in vitro effects of Sodium Tetradecyl Sulphate (STS) and Polidocanol (POL) on clotting tests, clotting factors, platelets and microparticles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Platelet rich (PRP) and platelet poor (PPP) plasmas were incubated with varying concentrations of STS and POL. Clotting tests, platelet/plasma turbidity, and microparticle studies were performed. Specimens were mixed with individual factor deficient plasmas and clotting factor activities were studied. RESULTS: STS at high concentrations (>0.3%) destroyed platelets, microparticles and the clotting factors V, VII and X. It prolonged all clotting tests including prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), non-activated partial thromboplastin time (NAPTT), thrombin time (TT), factor Xa clotting time (XACT) and surface activated clotting time (SACT). Higher concentrations of POL were required to achieve some anticoagulant activity. Low sclerosant concentrations shortened XACT and SACT, and induced release of procoagulant platelet derived microparticles. Increased exposure time resulted in increased procoagulant activity. STS at concentrations higher than 0.5% precipitated a complex containing apolipoprotein b and fibrinogen. CONCLUSIONS: Detergent sclerosants affect the clotting mechanism by interfering with clotting factor activities, procoagulant phospholipids and platelet derived microparticles. STS has more anticoagulant activity than POL in high concentrations. Low concentration sclerosants demonstrate procoagulant activity.     

Scalp electrical recording during paralysis: quantitative evidence that EEG frequencies above 20 Hz are contaminated by EMG.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the possible contribution of electromyogram (EMG) to scalp electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms at rest and induced or evoked by cognitive tasks. METHODS: Scalp EEG recordings were made on two subjects in presence and absence of complete neuromuscular blockade, sparing the dominant arm. The subjects undertook cognitive tasks in both states to allow direct comparison of electrical recordings. RESULTS: EEG rhythms in the paralysed state differed significantly compared with the unparalysed state, with 10- to 200-fold differences in the power of frequencies above 20 Hz during paralysis. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the scalp EEG recording above 20 Hz is of EMG origin. Previous studies measuring gamma EEG need to be re-evaluated. SIGNIFICANCE: This has a significant impact on measurements of gamma rhythms from the scalp EEG in unparalysed humans. It is to be hoped that signal separation methods will be able to rectify this situation.     

Impact of automatic orders to discontinue vancomycin therapy on vancomycin use in an antimicrobial stewardship program.

We examined the possible unintended consequences of a 72-hour automatic order to discontinue vancomycin therapy in an antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP). Of 120 patients, 11 had vancomycin therapy discontinued at 72 hours without a call to the ASP, and 7 experienced a treatment interruption of 6-36 hours. All discontinuation of therapy was considered appropriate, and the 7 treatment interruptions did not have clear clinical consequences. Only one-third of patients had ASP stickers that warned of impending discontinuation of vancomycin therapy placed appropriately in the medical record.