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Introduction: Anticoagulant use in specific clinical scenarios such as venous thromboembolic disease or atrial fibrillation is common, with clearly established management guidelines. However, there is currently no unified clinical guidance for managing thrombosis in unusual scenarios, presenting a significant therapeutic challenge. Objective: To review the indications for anticoagulation and their regimens in unusual clinical situations based on available evidence. Methods: A literature review was conducted from 1997 to 2022, using relevant MeSH terms for anticoagulation, oral anticoagulants, embolism, and thrombosis. Information was extracted and synthesized in a structured manner. Results: In nephrotic syndrome, warfarin is recommended, although alter-natives such as low molecular weight heparins, aspirin, or direct oral anti-coagulants exist. For intracavitary thrombus, warfarin is the drug of choice, with demonstrated equivalent efficacy to direct oral anticoagulants. For peripheral arterial disease, rivaroxaban at vascular protection dose + aspirin has shown benefit in major adverse cardiovascular outcomes depending on individual profile. Conclusions: Management of these scenarios requires proper clinical assessment and selection of the type of anticoagulant, ensuring maximum reduction of both thrombosis and bleeding risks.

ABSTRACT Introduction and objectives: The treatment of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) who need coronary stenting is challenging. The objective of the study was to determine whether left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) could be a feasible option and benefit these patients. To this end, we studied the impact of LAAO plus antiplatelet drugs vs oral anticoagulants (OAC) (including direct OAC) plus antiplatelet drugs in these patients’ long-term outcomes. Methods: The results of 207 consecutive patients with NVAF who underwent coronary stenting were analyzed. A total of 146 patients were treated with OAC (75 with acenocoumarol, 71 with direct OAC) while 61 underwent LAAO. The median follow-up was 35 months. Patients also received antiplatelet therapy as prescribed by their cardiologist. The study received the proper ethical oversight. Results: Age (mean 75.7 years), and the past medical history of stroke were similar in both groups. However, the LAAO group had more unfavorable characteristics (history of coronary artery disease [CHA2DS2-VASc], and significant bleeding [BARC ≥ 2] and HAS-BLED). The occurrence of major adverse events (death, stroke/transient ischemic events, major bleeding) and major cardiovascular events (cardiac death, stroke/transient ischemic attack, and myocardial infarction) were significantly higher in the OAC group compared to the LAAO group: 19.75% vs 9.06% (HR, 2.18; P.= .008) and 6.37% vs 1.91% (HR, 3.34; P.= .037), respectively. Conclusions: In patients with NVAF undergoing coronary stenting, LAAO plus antiplatelet therapy produced better long-term outcomes compared to treatment with OAC plus antiplatelet therapy despite the unfavorable baseline characteristics of the LAAO group.

Resumen: Introducción: estudios recientes han reportado fenómenos trombóticos o coagulopatía en pacientes con COVID-19. Hay posiciones divergentes en cuanto a la prevención, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de estos fenómenos, y la práctica clínica actual está basada únicamente en deducciones por extensión a partir de estudios retrospectivos, series de casos, estudios observacionales y guías internacionales desarrolladas previas a la pandemia. Objetivo: establecer una serie de recomendaciones sobre prevención, diagnóstico y manejo de las complicaciones trombóticas asociadas a COVID-19. Métodos: se desarrolló una guía rápida en la que se aplicó el marco de la evidencia a la decisión (EtD) de GRADE y un sistema de participación iterativo, con análisis estadísticos y cualitativos de sus resultados. Resultados: se generaron 31 recomendaciones clínicas enfocadas a: a) Pruebas de coagulación en adultos sintomáticos con sospecha de infección o infección confirmada por SARS-CoV-2; b) Tromboprofilaxis en personas adultas con diagnóstico de COVID-19 (escalas de riesgo, tromboprofilaxis de manejo ambulatorio, intrahospitalario y duración de tromboprofilaxis después del egreso de hospitalización), c) Diagnóstico y tratamiento de las complicaciones trombóticas y d) Manejo de personas con indicación previa a usar agentes anticoagulantes. Conclusiones: las recomendaciones clínicas de este consenso orientan la toma de decisiones clínicas respecto a prevención, diagnóstico y tratamiento de fenómenos trombóticos en pacientes con COVID-19, y representan un acuerdo que ayudará a disminuir la dispersión en las prácticas clínicas acorde con el desafío que impone la pandemia. Abstract: Introduction: recent studies have reported the occurrence of thrombotic phenomena or coagulopathy in patients with COVID-19. There are divergent positions regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of these phenomena, and current clinical practice is based solely on deductions by extension from retrospective studies, case series, observational studies, and international guidelines developed prior to the pandemic. Objective: to generate a group of recommendations on the prevention, diagnosis and management of thrombotic complications associated with COVID-19. Methods: a rapid guidance was carried out applying the GRADE Evidence to Decision (EtD) frameworks and an iterative participation system, with statistical and qualitative analysis. Results: 31 clinical recommendations were generated focused on: a) Coagulation tests in symptomatic adults with suspected infection or confirmed SARS CoV-2 infection; b) Thromboprophylaxis in adults diagnosed with COVID-19 (Risk scales, thromboprophylaxis for outpatient, in-hospital management, and duration of thromboprophylaxis after discharge from hospitalization), c) Diagnosis and treatment of thrombotic complications, and d) Management of people with previous indication of anticoagulant agents. Conclusions: recommendations of this consensus guide clinical decision-making regarding the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of thrombotic phenomena in patients with COVID-19, and represent an agreement that will help decrease the dispersion in clinical practices according to the challenge imposed by the pandemic.

ABSTRACT Objective: To characterize the self-reported adherence of patients with cardiovascular diseases to the use of new oral anticoagulants and to identify factors related to adherence to these drugs. Method: This is a descriptive, correlational, and cross-sectional study, carried out with outpatients. The collection of sociodemographic, clinical, and adherence data, through the Measurement of Adherence to Treatments, was made through telephone calls. Descriptive, correlation, and multiple linear regression analyses were used. Results: A total of 120 patients using new anticoagulants for 32.3 months, on average, participated in the study. More than half of the sample consisted of women, who were professionally inactive, with a mean age of 70.1 years and a mean family income of 6.7 minimum wages. The mean adherence score was 5.7, in a possible range between 1 and 6, indicating medication adherence. Inactive employment status, female sex, higher family income, and follow-up at a public outpatient clinic were related to greater adherence to these medications. Conclusion: The patients showed high adherence to new anticoagulants. Employment status, sex, family income, and type of outpatient follow-up were related to medication adherence, and should be considered in the design of interventions for this public.

Objectives: To summarize published information on coagulation disorders in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, namely its characteristics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and response to anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy, either prophylactic or therapeutic. Methods: A scoping review was conducted according to both Joanna Briggs Institute Guidelines on Scoping Reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Scoping Review guidelines (PRISMA-ScR). A search on the MEDLINE®, SciELO®, and Web of Science® databases was performed between the 1st and 2nd May 2020. The articles selection was divided into three sequential stages: based on title, on abstract, and full article reading. At each stage, articles were assessed against the inclusion and exclusion criteria and accepted or rejected accordingly. The data were then charted, and the relevant evidence was summarized. Results: After selection, 106 records were obtained. Of those, 36 corresponded to letters, 28 to original studies, 25 to reviews, and 14 to case reports; one metanalysis, one commentary, and one consensus paper were also included. Results have shown an association between COVID-19 and thrombotic complications, although different kinds of events and frequency rates were found. The triad inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, and coagulopathy seem to underly pathophysiological changes. Laboratory and imaging techniques may be useful for an adequate intervention. Prophylaxis with parenteral anticoagulants, preferably Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH), in an intermediate dose between the commonly used ones for prophylaxis or treatment is indicated to hospitalized patients, especially those having a severe illness. It should be kept during a variable period after discharge, in an individualized patient-based approach. Therapeutical anticoagulation seems not to differ significantly from other disease settings. Conclusions: Various uncertainties persist at coagulation disorders’ approach in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. The existing information has its origin mainly in the hospital setting and less robust sources. Thus, well-designed, randomized controlled clinical trials are needed to sustain clinical decisions at all stages.

Introduction and Objectives: The optimal chronic antithrombotic regimen for patients with atrial fibrillation undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) remains uncertain. Our aim was to compare the incidence of late bleeding events between patients on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and those on vitamin-K antagonists (VKA)., Methods: This single-center observational study included TAVI patients requiring oral anticoagulation at discharge between 2015 and 2021. The primary endpoint was any clinically significant bleeding event. Secondary endpoints were stroke, heart failure, and all-cause mortality., Results: A total of 702 TAVI procedures were performed, with 297 patients requiring oral anticoagulation at discharge. Among them, 206 (69.4%) received VKA and 91 (30.6%) received DOAC. Baseline clinical, procedural and in-hospital characteristics did not significantly differ between groups, except for better renal function among DOAC patients. The median length of follow-up was 2.8 years. The risk of bleeding events was higher in patients receiving DOACs than in those receiving VKA (HR, 2.27; 95%CI, 1.21-4.26; incidence of 9.7 and 4.2 events per 100 patient-years of follow-up for DOAC and VKA patients, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of stroke (HR, 1.28; 95%CI, 0.4-4.3), heart failure hospitalization (HR, 0.92; 95%CI, 0.46-1.86), or all-cause mortality (HR, 1.02; 95%CI, 0.68-1.55)., Conclusions: In older patients undergoing TAVI and receiving anticoagulant therapy for atrial fibrillation, the use of DOAC was associated with a higher risk of late bleeding events than VKA., (Copyright © 2024 Sociedad Española de Cardiología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

In modern pharmacology, compounds of natural origin are gaining more and more recognition. One of them is warfarin, which is a compound of organic coumarin derivatives. It is used medicinally in the anticoagulant doctor. This compound was commercially introduced to the United States in the 1950s. It has been available on the Polish market since 2006. Warfarin is an antagonist of vitamin K. It works by inhibiting the synthesis of vitamin K in the liver and thus blocking the synthesis of vitamin K dependent blood clotting factors (II, VII, IX, X). It is widely used by people suffering from cardiovascular diseases such as venous thrombosis and venous embolism. Adopted by patients with suspected or after a heart attack. Despite its undisputed positive effect, one should remember about the numerous side effects resulting from long-term use of warfarin. They may be due to intolerance to this compound, which causes nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions. Moreover, recent studies show that it may have a destructive effect on the liver and cause calcification of blood vessels. Keep in mind that warfarin can interact with many substances you are taking for other medical conditions. Agents that increase the effects of warfarin include antibiotics such as erythromycin, deoxicillin, commonly used drugs containing caffeine, acetylsalicylic acid and naturally derived compounds found in ginkgo, garlic and sage. Compounds that weaken the effect of warfarin are barbiturates, cyclosporine, vitamin C, and St. John's wort.

Objective: Describe the profile and clinical indicators of people from a domiciliary anticoagulation program in the city of Bogota, during a year of monitoring. Materials and methods: Quantitative study of descriptive scope. The population was made of 66 people from the program, who met the inclusion criteria and were cared for a year. Some of the measured variables were: type of anticoagulant, anticoagulation indications, functional compromise, risk of bleeding and time in therapeutic range. The information was obtained from monthly statistics from the program, univariate analyzed, reporting frequency distributions and ethical aspects were protected for the health research. Results: 66 patients older than 60 years of age that received Warfarin were attended and the main symptom was atrial fibrillation. The patients reached the therapeutic target in the first 9 days, achieving 70% of time in the therapeutic range, and no adverse events were presented although being at intermediate-high risk of bleeding, severe functional detriment and high comorbidity. Conclusion: The permanent monitoring of coagulation time, availability of additional controls, fast adjustments in the anticoagulation doses, health education and a direct communication channel between the patient, the family, and the healthcare team, could improve the clinical indicators of anticoagulated patients.

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety profile of nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (NMV-r) in real clinical practice and to analyse the clinical relevance of drug-drug interactions in the development of adverse events., Methods: Observational, retrospective study in which safety data of patients treated with NMV-r between April and July 2022 in an outpatient setting were evaluated. The duration of follow-up was 28 days and the number of adverse reactions reported, as well as whether they were managed on an outpatient basis or required health care, and the presence of renal and hepatic function impairment were assessed. Concomitant treatment was reviewed, identifying theoretical drug-drug interactions (TDDIs) whose severity was defined using the Lexi-interact classification., Results: The study included 146 patients. 82 (56.16%) were women, whose median age was 65 years (22-95). the number of TDDIs detected and maintained during treatment with NMV-r was 164, with the percentage of patients with at least 1 interaction being 62.33%. The median number of TDDIs per patient was 1 (0-5). At least 1 adverse event (AE) was reported in 18 patients (11.84%). 11 AEs were potentially related to any TDDI. 7 patients required contact with hospital assistance for AE management. 8 patients had impaired renal function and 2 had impaired liver function at 28 days. The main groups of drugs implicated in the occurrence of an AE were oral anticoagulants and calcium antagonists., Conclusions: Our results show a high number of TDDIs detected were detected between NMV-r and other drugs. This study provides greater knowledge of the drugs involved in such interactions and their potential relationship with the occurrence of adverse events., Competing Interests: Conflicts of interest None declared., (Copyright © 2023 Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria (S.E.F.H). Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Resumen: Contexto: La disfagia es una alteración de la deglución altamente prevalente que afecta a personas de todas las edades, siendo la gente mayor y los pacientes con enfermedades neurológicas los de más riesgo. Frecuentemente las personas mayores con disfagia no consultan por este motivo y acaban presentando complicaciones como desnutrición, deshidratación o neumonías por aspiración. Presentación del caso: Mujer de 88 años, independiente para las actividades básicas de la vida diaria, con antecedentes de bocio multinodular, fibrilación auricular permanente con mal control de la anticoagulación en el último año y disfagia a sólidos de 2 años de evolución no estudiada. Consulta por afagia de 24 h de evolución. Una gastroscopia urgente resuelve la impactación alimentaria y evidencía una estenosis esofágica. Así se observa una progresiva normalización de los controles de la anticoagulación, que se vuelven a alterar tras varios meses de tratamiento conservador. Se interpreta como una absorción errática del acenocumarol debido a la estenosis esofágica y ello obliga a realizar dilataciones esofágicas periódicas. Conclusiones: La disfagia no solo puede alterar el estado nutricional del paciente, sino que también puede afectar la absorción de los medicamentos prescritos. Cualquier actitud terapéutica requiere un seguimiento posterior para evaluar su efectividad y la posible aparición de complicaciones. Abstract: Context: Dysphagia is a highly prevalent swallowing disorder that affects people of all ages, but with higher risk to the elderly and patients with neurological diseases. Often, older people with dysphagia do not ask for medical attention and end up with complications, such as malnutrition, dehydration or aspiration pneumonia.Presentation of the case: 88 year old woman, able to perform activities of daily living, with a history of multinodular goiter, permanent atrial fibrillation with poor anticoagulation control in the last year, and dysphagia to solids of 2 years evolution that has not been previously studied. She asked for a medical evaluation because of a 24 h evolution aphagia. An emergency gastroscopy evidenced an esophageal stricture and solved the food impactation. Following this procedure, dysphagia disappeared and a progressive normalization of anticoagulation controls was also observed, which worsened again after several months of conservative treatment.The anticoagulation impairment was deemed to be caused by an erratic absorption of acenocumarol due to the esophageal stenosis and, consequently, it needed periodic esophageal dilations. Conclusions: Dysphagia can not only alter the nutritional status of the patient, but also affects the absorption of the medication taken. Any therapeutic approach requires subsequent and appropriate follow-up to assess its effectiveness and the potential appearance of clinical complications.

Introduction: Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a secondary syndrome to underlying pathologies, where localized coagulation activation and generalized inflammatory response can lead to tissue and microvascular damage. A prevalence of 10.8% has been reported in several intensive care units in Colombia. Its presentation in the context of sepsis is different depending on the type of infection. Objective: To conduct a review of literature of the most outstanding concepts of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Materials and methods: A review was made by means of the search of original articles, systematic and narrative reviews, in the PubMed and ScienceDirect databases and in the Google Scholar search engine; 80 articles were selected, of which 51 were included. Publications were taken into account in Spanish, English and French, with a publication date of less than or equal to 5 years. Results: The description of treatment, etiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis of Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation was made, with special emphasis on the studies on molecular markers and new therapeutic alternatives. Conclusion: Disseminated intravascular coagulation is a complication which contributes to increase morbidity and mortality, whose early diagnosis and treatment contribute significantly to better clinical evolution.

En este artículo de revisión se analiza el estado actual del tratamiento anticoagulante oral prestando especial atención a sus indicaciones en cardiología, en particular en fibrilación auricular no valvular y valvular, y en las afecciones valvulares en las que está indicado. Se revisan las ventajas y desventajas de los anticoagulantes del tipo de los antagonistas de la vitamina K y de los anticoagulantes de introducción más reciente denominados anticoagulantes directos. En relación al tratamiento antitrombótico en fibrilación auricular se analizan las escalas de riesgo de tromboembolismo sistémico y cómo estimar el riesgo de sangrado para así seleccionar adecuadamente a los pacientes que deberían recibir tratamiento anticoagulante oral. Respecto de las afecciones valvulares del corazón, se revisa el tratamiento anticoagulante en relación a las indicaciones en las prótesis valvulares cardíacas, con los objetivos de International Normalized Ratio (INR) buscados en cada caso. Se destaca que los anticoagulantes directos están contraindicados como terapia antitrombótica, en el caso de las prótesis valvulares mecánicas como también en la estenosis mitral de etiología reumática de grado moderado o severo, estando indicados en estos casos los antagonistas de la vitamina K. Finalmente, se revisan algunos aspectos referentes al manejo perioperatorio de los anticoagulantes orales.

Introduction: The saliva of hematophagous or blood-sucking insects contains different substances that allow obtaining and ingesting the blood of their vertebrate hosts without being detected. Objective: To explore the salivary compounds of hematophagous insects which have vasodilator, anticoagulant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anesthetic properties, and that can be exploited due to their high pharmacological potential. Materials and methods: A non-systematic literature review was done in PubMed, EMBASE, and ScienceDirect OvidSP; data was not limited by date, language nor item type. Articles on salivary compounds of blood-sucking insects, whose main topic was the effects on hemostasis, immunomodulation and drug use, were sought. 59 articles met the criteria for inclusion in the review. Conclusions: The saliva of hematophagous insects has a wide variety of molecules that constitute a source of research and have an incalculable potential for the discovery of compounds that could be pharmacologically useful.

Introduction and objective: The experience and knowledge concerning the use of direct oral anticoagulants among specialists in Medellin, Colombia, are not known. Our goal was to describe the use of these drugs in patients treated at Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe and to assess the level of knowledge regarding this issue in professionals from this institution. Materials and methods: Cross sectional study conducted between January 2012 and January 2013. Two strategies to collect information were used, namely: Analysis of relevant medical records and evaluation of knowledge about the appropriate use and prescription of direct oral anticoagulants in the group of medical specialists. Results: 114 records were included in the analysis; rivaroxaban was the most frequently prescribed drug (87%) followed by dabigatran (13%). The main indication was prophylaxis in orthopedic surgery (69%). Average of correct answers among the different specialists evaluated was 67% with no apparent difference between them. Conclusion: rivaroxaban was prescribed more often than dabigatran; however, this fact does not appear to be associated with a clear and sufficient medical knowledge about these drugs. No reports of adverse events associated with this therapy were found.

Introduction and Objectives: Direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) therapy has been shown to be safe and effective in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). However, outcomes in AF patients with bioprosthetic valves are unclear, as this population has been underrepresented in clinical trials. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and efficacy of DOACs in this population based on the existing published literature., Methods: A systematic search and review were conducted to identify randomized clinical trials and comparative observational studies published from 2017 to January 2022 that compared DOACs and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in AF patients with bioprosthetic valves. Hazard ratios (HR) were collected to compare the 2 treatments in terms of cardiovascular and all-cause mortality, stroke/systemic embolism, and major bleeding. A meta-analysis combining the results was performed., Results: We included 12 studies (30 283 patients). DOACs and VKAs were compared based on HRs at the 95% confidence interval. DOAC therapy was associated with a significant 9% reduction in all-cause mortality (HR, 0.91; 95%CI, 0.85-0.97; P=.0068; I 2 =8%), with no significant differences in the risk of stroke/systemic embolism (HR, 0.87; 95%CI, 0.67-1.14; P=.29; I 2 =45%) or major bleeding (HR, 0.82; 95%CI, 0.67-1.00; P=.054; I 2 =48.7%)., Conclusions: DOAC therapy in AF patients with bioprosthetic valves may be associated with a significant reduction in all-cause mortality, with no reduction in the efficacy of stroke/systemic embolism prevention or increase in major bleeding risk., (Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever como as crianças respondem à anticoagulação oral com varfarina, verificando a influência da idade, da condição clínica, da via de administração da varfarina e do uso de Nutrição Parenteral Total (NPT), e apresentar a presença de fatores de risco para eventos tromboembólicos (TE). Métodos: Estudo transversal retrospectivo com pacientes ≤18 anos que iniciaram o uso da varfarina em um hospital universitário. Os pacientes foram divididos conforme condição clínica, idade, forma de administração do medicamento e uso de NPT. Foram utilizados os dados dos prontuários dos pacientes, considerando os fatores de risco para TE já descritos na literatura, o tempo e a dose necessária para atingir a primeira Razão Normalizada Internacional (INR) no alvo e eventos adversos nesse período. No período posterior ao alcance de INR, foi verificada a manutenção da anticoagulação, por meio da dose prescrita e dos exames de INR. Resultados: Vinte e nove pacientes foram incluídos no estudo. O principal fator de risco para TE foi o uso de cateter venoso central, em 89,6% dos pacientes. Os pacientes com síndrome do intestino curto e em uso de NPT necessitaram de doses significativamente maiores (p≤0,05) para atingir e manter a INR no alvo. Os pacientes com ≤1 ano levaram mais tempo e necessitaram de uma dose maior para anticoagular e para manter o INR no alvo que os pacientes mais velhos. A mediana de exames de INR abaixo do alvo foi de 48,2% nos grupos estudados. Conclusões: A complexidade da terapia anticoagulante reforça a necessidade da elaboração de protocolos que orientem a prática clínica.

to examine the effect of the medium intensity coughing technique during subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin injection on pain severity and individual satisfaction in general surgery patients. the prospective, quasi-experimental study included 100 patients who had been prescribed a subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin injection once in 24 hours. Each patient received two injections by the same researcher, one using the standard injection technique with medium intensity coughing technique and the other only the standard injection technique. there was a statistically significant difference between patients' mean scores on pain severity and satisfaction levels after injections administered by the two techniques (p= 0.000). Also, it was found that gender affected pain severity relating to the injection but did not affect the level of individual satisfaction. the medium intensity coughing technique was found to reduce pain severity and increase patient satisfaction in general surgery patients receiving subcutaneous low molecular weight heparin injections. Trial registration: NCT05681338.

Objectives: To describe the management of superficial vein thrombosis (SVT) of the lower limbs in patients treated in Spanish hospital emergency departments (EDs). To evaluate the impact of ED management of venous thromboembolic complications on outcomes and to determine the characteristics of patients who develop complications., Material and Methods: The retrospective multicenter ALTAMIRA study (Spanish acronym for risk factors, complications, and assessment of Spanish ED management of SVT) used recorded data for consecutive patients with a diagnosis of isolated SVT treated in 18 EDs. We gathered data on symptomatic venous thromboembolic disease (deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, or the extension or recurrence of SVT), clinically significant bleeding, and 180-day mortality. Cox regression analysis was used to explore variables associated with complications., Results: A total of 703 patients were included. Anticoagulation was prescribed for 84.1% of the patients for a median of 30 days (interquartile range, 15-42 days); 81.3% were treated with low molecular weight heparin. A prophylactic dose was prescribed for 48% and an intermediate therapeutic dose for 52%. Sixty-four patients (9.2%) developed symptomatic thromboembolic disease within 180 days, 12 (1.7%) experienced clinically significant bleeding, and 4 (0.6%) died. Complications developed later in patients receiving anticoagulant therapy than in those not taking an anticoagulant (66 vs 11 days , P=.009), and 76.6% of those developing complications were not on anticoagulant when symptoms appeared. A history of thromboembolic disease was associated with developing complications (adjusted hazard ratio, 2.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.34-3.62)., Conclusion: ED treatment of SVT varies and is often suboptimal. The incidence of thromboembolic complications after SVT is high. Starting anticoagulation in the ED delays the development of complications. Patients with a history of thromboembolic disease are more at risk of complications.

OBJECTIVE: to study the changes in health-related quality of life from beginning of anticoagulation therapy to six-month follow-up, and to study associations of sociodemographic and clinical characteristics with measures of quality of life and general health status at six-month follow-up, in individuals using oral anticoagulation due to various medical indications for the therapy. METHOD: prospective study performed at a city in the state of Paraná, Brazil, composed of 78 patients. Measures included the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale and the Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form SF-36. RESULTS: mean age was 57 years (S.D.= 16) and 54% were women. Compared to the beginning of therapy, there was a statistically significant improvement in health-related quality of life at six-month follow-up. Linear regression analyses explained 32% and 30%, respectively, of the variance of the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale and of the general health status. There was improvement in all components of the SF-36, except Mental Health. CONCLUSION: The use of oral anticoagulation therapy was associated with improvement in health-related quality of life in the first six months of therapy. This study is longitudinal and therefore, has fewer limitations than cross-sectional studies published to date in the Nursing literature in Brazil.OBJETIVO: Estudiar los cambios en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud desde el inicio de la anticoagulación oral y al final de seis meses de tratamiento, y estudiar las asociaciones de las características sociodemográficas y clínicas con las medidas de calidad de vida y salud general seis meses después de iniciar la terapia, en pacientes con diversas indicaciones clínicas de anticoagulación oral. MÉTODO: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo en una ciudad de Paraná, Brasil, evaluando 78 pacientes. Las herramientas aplicadas fueron la Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale y el Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form SF-36. RESULTADOS: La edad promedia fue de 57 años (D.E.=16) y el 54% era mujer. En comparación con el inicio de la terapia, se observó una mejoría estadísticamente significativa en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud tras seis meses de seguimiento. El análisis de regresión representó el 32% y 30%, respectivamente, de la varianza de la Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale y la salud general. Hubo una mejora en todos los componentes del SF-36, excepto la Salud Mental. CONCLUSIÓN: El uso de anticoagulantes orales se asocia con una mejoría en la calidad de vida relacionada con la salud tras seis meses de seguimiento. Debido a su diseño longitudinal, este estudio trae menos limitaciones que los estudios transversales publicados en la Enfermería brasileña hasta ahora.OBJETIVO: estudar as mudanças na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde do início da anticoagulação oral ao final de seis meses dessa terapia, e estudar as associações das características sociodemográficas e clínicas com as medidas de qualidade de vida e estado de saúde geral seis meses após o início do tratamento, em indivíduos com diversas indicações clínicas para anticoagulação oral. MÉTODO: estudo prospectivo realizado em um município do Paraná, Brasil, avaliando 78 pacientes. Foram utilizados os instrumentos Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale e Medical Outcomes Survey Short Form SF-36. RESULTADOS: a idade média foi 57 anos (D.P.= 16) e 54% eram mulheres. Comparado com o início da terapia, houve melhora estatisticamente significante na qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde aos seis meses de seguimento. Os modelos de regressão linear explicaram 32% e 30%, respectivamente, da variância do Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale e do estado geral de saúde. Houve melhora em todos os componentes do SF-36, exceto Saúde Mental. CONCLUSÃO: O uso do anticoagulante oral foi associado à melhora da qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde nos seis meses de acompanhamento. Por ser longitudinal, esse estudo tem menos limitações que os estudos transversais publicados na área da Enfermagem brasileira até o momento.

Background: Dietary vitamin K intake has been considered a major factor that influences stability of oral anticoagulation (OA) with coumarins. Few studies have evaluated the relationship between amounts of dietary vitamin K intake and stability of anticoagulation. Objective: To assess whether high dietary vitamin K intake is associated to stability of International Normalized Ratio (INR) of the prothrombin time. Methods: We performed a sub-analysis of a randomized clinical trial involving outpatients from the anticoagulation clinic of a university hospital. INR and vitamin K intake were prospectively collected at baseline, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days after randomization. Patients were considered with a stable anticoagulation when their INR coefficient of variation was less than 10%. Dietary vitamin K intake was assessed by a food frequency questionnair and a score of intake was derived. Results: We studied 132 patients on chronic OA (57 ± 13 years; 55% males); 23 patients (17%) were achieved stable anticoagulation. Stable and unstable patients had no significant differences in baseline characteristics. The dietary vitamin K score over the entire follow-up for stable patients was significantly lower than that for unstable patients (p = 0.012). Discussion: Our findings suggest that INR stability could be achieved with relatively low amounts of dietary vitamin K.Introducción: El consumo dietético de vitamina K ha sido considerado un factor importante que influye en la estabilidad de la anticoagulación oral (AO) con cumarina. Pocos estudios han evaluado la relación entre el consumo dietético de vitamina K y la estabilidad de la anticoagulación. Objetivo: Evaluar la relación existente entre la alta ingesta de vitamina K y el mantenimiento de la estabilidade del la Razón Normalizada Internacional RNI. Métodos: Se realizó una subanálisis de un ensayo clínico aleatorizado con pacientes ambulatórios de la clínica de anticoagulación de un hospital universitario. Los datos acerca del RNI y la ingesta de vitamina K fueron recogidos prospectivamente al inicio del estudio, y en los días 15, 30, 60 y 90. Los pacientes fueron considerados estables cuando su coeficiente de variación del RNI fue menor de 10%. La evaluacion de la dieta y la ingesta de vitamina K se obtuvo mediante un cuestionario de frecuencia alimentaria y un sistema de puntuación fue creado para esto. Resultados: Se estudiaron 132 pacientes en tratamiento crónico (57 ± 13 años, el 55% masculino), 23 pacientes (17%) lograron anticoagulación estable. Con relación a las características basales, no hubo diferencias entre los sujetos con anticoagulación estable o inestable. La puntuación de la vitamina K de la dieta durante todo el seguimiento de los pacientes se mantuvo significativamente menor entre aquellos con RNI estable cuándo comparado con los inestables (p = 0,012). Discusión: Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que con cantidades relativamente bajas de vitamina K podremos obtener la estabilidad de RNI.

El tratamiento del paciente que recibe terapias que afectan la hemostasia normal (anticoagulantes y/o antiagregantes plaquetarios) y que será sometido a un procedimiento quirúrgico, es uno de los retos que se presentan cada vez con mayor frecuencia en los servicios de cardiología. La toma de la mejor opción terapéutica en este grupo de pacientes requiere un profundo conocimiento sobre los riesgos de sangrado en caso de continuarse el tratamiento, frente a los riesgos de trombosis o embolismo en caso de suspenderlo. Por tradición, esa decisión se ha basado más en el temor al riesgo de sangrado, por lo cual en muchos casos se ha suspendido dicha terapia de manera innecesaria. En los últimos años, la aparición de la evidencia que indica que no sólo no es alto el riesgo de sangrado sino que además la continuación de estos medicamentos en muchos casos disminuye desenlaces adversos mayores, ha llevado a replantear esta conducta. En este artículo se revisará la evidencia actual existente al respecto y se suministrarán pautas que permitan la toma de una decisión adecuada.Treatment of patients receiving therapies that affect normal hemostasis (anticoagulants and / or anti-platelet aggregators) and that will undergo surgery, is one of the challenges that arise with increasing frequency in the cardiology services. Making the best therapeutic option in these patients requires a thorough understanding of the risks of bleeding in case of continuing the treatment against the risks of thrombosis or embolism in case of stopping it. By tradition, this decision has been based more on fear to the risk of bleeding, whereby in many cases this therapy has been suspended unnecessarily. In recent years, the emergence of evidence indicates that the risk of bleeding is not high and that continuation of these drugs in many cases reduce major adverse outcomes. This has led to redefine this behavior. In this article we review the current evidence available on the subject and provide guidelines that allow making a right decision.

El objetivo del presente estudio es la evaluación metodológica de las guías de práctica clínica en fibrilación auricular. Este es el segundo de una serie de artículos de revisión, análisis, valoración metodológica y contenido de las guías de práctica clínica en cardiología. De todas las guías de práctica clínica se seleccionaron la Guía Americana, Canadiense y la del National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, (NICE, por su sigla en inglés), y se utilizó el instrumento Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE II) para evaluar cada una de ellas En general, las guías obtuvieron el menor puntaje en el dominio de aplicabilidad (media 36,1%); mientras que el mayor puntaje fue para el dominio de claridad en la presentación (media 93,5%). El menor puntaje hallado fue en el dominio de independencia editorial (Guía Canadiense) y el mayor de todos los puntajes fue en el dominio “Claridad de la presentación” (guía The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, NICE). Al evaluar la calidad global de las guías de práctica clínica analizadas, NICE es la que mejor puntuaciones obtiene al aplicar el instrumento Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation II (AGREE), seguido de la americana, siendo ambas recomendadas sin modificaciones.

La fibrilación auricular es la arritmia cardiaca sostenida más común y su prevalencia se duplica cada decenio por encima de los cincuenta años. Entretanto, las condiciones clínicas que más se asocian con ésta son la hipertensión arterial, la insuficiencia cardíaca, la enfermedad valvular cardíaca y la diabetes mellitus. Como complicaciones está la falla cardiaca, pero tal vez una de las peores son los eventos cardioembólicos, que ocurren aproximadamente en 4,5% de los pacientes no anticoagulados. El tratamiento antitrombótico con antagonistas de la vitamina K fue, durante más de cincuenta años, la única alternativa disponible, a pesar de sus múltiples limitaciones, las mismas que llevaron al desarrollo de nuevos fármacos anticoagulantes que disminuyen muchos de los problemas de los antagonistas de la vitamina K. Pueden agruparse en dos clases: inhibidores orales directos de la trombina e inhibidores orales del factor X activado. Tanto dabigatrán, rivaroxabán como apixabán, cuentan ya con estudios clínicos controlados aleatorizados que apoyan su uso en el tratamiento antitrombótico de la fibrilación auricular y recientemente se incluyeron en las guías basadas en la evidencia como alternativa (ACC) e incluso con un grado de recomendación superior (CCS, CHEST) al de los antagonistas de la vitamina K.Atrial fibrillation is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia and its prevalence doubles every decade for people older than fifty years. Meanwhile, the clinical conditions most associated with it are hypertension, heart failure, valvular heart disease and diabetes mellitus. Complications include heart failure, but perhaps one of the worst ones are the stroke events, which occur in approximately 4.5% of not anticoagulated patients. Antithrombotic therapy with vitamin K antagonists was for over fifty years the only alternative available, despite its many limitations. These limitations led to the development of new anticoagulant drugs that reduce many of the problems of vitamin K antagonists. They fall into two classes: direct oral thrombin inhibitors and oral activated factor X inhibitors. Dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, already rely on randomized controlled trials that support its use in antithrombotic therapy for atrial fibrillation and were recently included in the evidence-based guidelines as an alternative (ACC) and even with a higher grade of recommendation (CCS, CHEST) to that of the the vitamin K antagonists.

Purpose: To compare whether health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is altered in patients undergoing a treatment strategy guided by changes in dietary vitamin K. Methods: This study is a randomized clinical trial carried out with chronic oral anticoagulation outpatients randomized into a control group (conventional dose adjustment of oral anticoagulants) (n = 66) and an intervention group (strategy based on changes in dietary vitamin K intake) (n = 66). HRQoL was measured using the Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS) at baseline and 90 days of follow-up. Results: Patients with worse HRQoL were younger (p = 0.005) and were using a higher dose of baseline oral anticoagulants (p = 0.008), while those with better HRQoL scores had a higher level of education (p = 0.01). Both groups had significant improvements in HRQoL from baseline to 90 days in the global DASS score (p < 0.001), as well as in the negative and positive psychological impact (p < 0.001) domains. We did not observe differences in the variations of HRQoL scores in any of the DASS domains (p values > 0.05) between groups of interventions. Patients who achieved oral anticoagulation stability (n = 23) had significantly better HRQoL scores than patients who did not achieve stability (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Patients receiving the treatment strategy based on changes in dietary vitamin K intake did not have better HRQoL scores; however, both treatment approaches to manage oral anticoagulation improved HRQoL. Patients with greater oral anticoagulation stability had better HRQoL scores.Objetivo: Comparar si la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud (CVRS) se ve alterada en los pacientes sometidos a una estrategia de tratamiento guiado por cambios en la ingesta de vitamina K en la dieta. Métodos: El estudio es un ensayo clínico aleatorizado llevado a cabo con pacientes ambulatorios crónicos de anticoagulación oral con asignación al azar o en un grupo control (ajuste de la dosis convencional de anticoagulantes orales) (n = 66) o en un grupo intervención (estrategia basada en los cambios en la ingesta de vitamina K) (n = 66). La CVRS se midió utilizando el instrumento Duke Anticoagulation Satisfaction Scale (DASS) al inicio y 90 días de seguimiento. Resultados: Los pacientes con peor CVRS eran más jóvenes (p = 0,005) y estaban utilizando una dosis más alta de los anticoagulantes orales de referencia (p = 0,008), mientras aquellos con mejores puntajes de CVRS tenían un mayor nivel de educación (p = 0,01). Ambos grupos tuvieron mejoras significativas en la CVRS desde el inicio hasta 90 días en la puntuación global de DASS (p < 0,001), así como en el los dominios impacto psicológico positivo y negativo (p < 0,001). No se observaron diferencias en las variaciones de las puntaciones de CVRS en cualquiera de los dominios DASS (valores de p > 0,05) entre los grupos de intervención. Los pacientes que lograron la estabilidad de la anticoagulación oral (n = 23) tuvieron significativamente mejores puntaciones de CVRS que los pacientes que no lograron la estabilidad (p = 0,003). Conclusión: Los pacientes tratados con la estrategia de tratamiento basada en los cambios en la ingesta de vitamina K no tuvieron mejores puntuaciones de CVRS, sin embargo, ambos enfoques al tratamiento para manejar la anticoagulación oral mejoró la CVRS. Los pacientes con una mejor estabilidad en la anticoagulación oral tuvieron mejores puntaciones de CVRS.

This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, which aimed to analyze the health related quality of life (HRQoL) and its relationship with gender, age, duration and indication for the use of oral anticoagulants. A total of 178 patients were interviewed and the HRQoL was assessed through eight domains of the SF-36. The descriptive statistics used were, the Student's t, ANOVA and Tukey's tests for the comparison of the means between the groups. The indication for use was predominantly the metallic prosthetic heart valve (50%) with warfarin the most widely prescribed anticoagulant (83.3%). The means of the domains of the SF-36 ranged from 82 (Social aspects) to 54.8 (Physical aspects). Women, elderly, patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation and with less than one year of medication use, presented a worse HRQoL evaluation. The results obtained can guide nursing actions, in that they indicate possible associations between the HRQoL and the sociodemographic and clinical variables of the patients.Se trata de un estudio descriptivo, de tipo corte transversal, que tuvo como objetivo analizar la calidad de vida relacionada a la salud (CVRS) y su relación con sexo, edad, tiempo e indicación de uso de anticoagulantes orales. Fueron entrevistados 178 pacientes y la CVRS fue evaluada por los ocho dominios del SF-36. Fue utilizada estadística descriptiva, las pruebas: t Student, ANOVA y Tukey, para comparación de los promedios entre los grupos. La indicación para el uso fue predominantemente la prótesis cardíaca metálica (50%) y la warfarina el anticoagulante más prescrito (83,3%). Los promedios de los dominios del SF-36 variaron de 82 (Aspectos sociales) a 54,8 (Aspectos físicos). Mujeres, ancianos, y pacientes con diagnóstico de fibrilación atrial y con menos de un año de uso del medicamento, presentaron peor evaluación de la CVRS. Los resultados obtenidos pueden orientar acciones de enfermería, en la medida en que indican posibles asociaciones entre la CVRS y las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes.Trata-se de estudo descritivo, tipo corte transversal, que teve como objetivo analisar a qualidade de vida relacionada à saúde (QVRS) e sua relação com sexo, idade, tempo e indicação para o uso de anticoagulantes orais. Foram entrevistados 178 pacientes e a QVRS foi avaliada pelos oito domínios do SF-36. Usaram-se estatística descritiva, testes t de Student, ANOVA e Tukey para comparação das médias entre os grupos. A indicação para o uso foi predominantemente a prótese cardíaca metálica (50%) e a varfarina o anticoagulante mais prescrito (83,3%). As médias dos domínios do SF-36 variaram de 82 (aspectos sociais) a 54,8 (aspectos físicos). Mulheres, idosos e pacientes, com diagnóstico de fibrilação atrial e menos de um ano de uso do medicamento, apresentaram pior avaliação da QVRS. Os resultados obtidos podem nortear ações de enfermagem, na medida em que indica possíveis associações entre a QVRS e variáveis sociodemográficas e clínicas dos pacientes.

Eventos tromboembólicos são complicações comuns em pacientes críticos. Podem apresentar sinais e sintomas pouco específicos e estão associados a um substancial aumento na morbimortalidade dos pacientes internados em unidades de terapia intensiva. Os agentes antitrombóticos são o pilar no tratamento e prevenção do tromboembolismo. Esta classe é também utilizada na prevenção do acidente vascular encefálico, na fibrilação atrial, na prevenção de eventos embólicos da insuficiência cardíaca, em pacientes com próteses valvares e têm sido associados a antiplaquetários na prevenção secundária da síndrome coronária aguda. Agentes antitrombóticos, como aspirina, clopidogrel, antagonistas da vitamina K e foundaparinux (inibidor indireto do fator Xa) já foram incorporados na prática clínica rotineira dos serviços de terapia intensiva. Recentemente, tem-se demonstrado grande interesse nos agentes que inibem seletivamente o fator Xa e a trombina. Estes apresentam estrutura molecular pequena e inibem simultaneamente o fator da coagulação livre no plasma e ligado ao trombo. Entre os novos anticoagulantes orais, dabigatran, rivaroxaban e apixaban são os que apresentam estudos clínicos em fases mais avançadas e uso na prática clínica já licenciado em alguns países. O objetivo desta revisão é salientar os principais estudos da literatura sobre novos anticoagulantes no cenário das unidades de terapia intensivaThromboembolic events commonly occur in critically ill patients, and although they do not consistently present with specific signs and symptoms, they are associated with high morbity and mortality. Antithrombotic agents are the mainstay of the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism, and they are also used for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation, embolism prevention in heart failure, and anticoagulation of prosthetic valves. These drugs have been combined with antiplatelet therapy for the prevention of secondary acute coronary syndrome. Antithrombotic agents such as Aspirin, clopidogrel, vitamin K antagonists and fondaparinux, an indirect Factor Xa inhibitor, are already incorporated into our clinical practice. New small-molecule, selective Factor Xa and thrombin inhibitors that simultaneously inhibit free plasma and clot-associated factor activities have received considerable attention recently. These new oral anticoagulants are in various phases of clinical development. dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban are in more advanced phases of clinical development and are already available in a number of countries. This review article highlights the studies describing the use of these three anticoagulants in an intensive care setting.

Cross-sectional study developed to relate the international normalized ratio (INR), used as a parameter to monitor the levels of blood clotting, stability to adherence, age, level of education, socioeconomic level, interaction with other drugs, comorbidities, vitamin K intake, anticoagulation time and drug cost. 156 patients were included, mean age 57±13 years, (53.8%) male, 61 (39.1%) had high adherence, 91 (58.3%) medium and 4 (2.6%) low adherence to treatment, 117 (75%) had INR stability up to 50% and 39 (25%) > 75%, patients with shorter time of anticoagulation presented higher stability, those who spent less on the drug remained more stable and had better adherence. It was concluded that more than 90% of patients had high and medium adherence and that the anticoagulation time and drug cost were the factors related to the anticoagulation stability.Se trata de un estudio transversal, desarrollado con el objetivo de relacionar la estabilidad del índice de estandarización internacional (INR), utilizado como parámetro para monitorizar los niveles de coagulación de la sangre, con adhesión, edad, escolaridad, nivel socioeconómico, interacción con otras medicaciones, comorbilidad, ingesta de vitamina K, tiempo de anticoagulación (ACO) y costo con medicamentos. Se incluyeron 156 pacientes, edad promedio 57±13 años, 53,8% perteneciente al sexo masculino; 61 (39,1%) tuvieron alta adhesión, 91 (58,3%) promedio y 4 (2,6%) baja adhesión al tratamiento; 117 (75%) presentaron estabilidad del INR de hasta 50% y 39 (25%) > a 75%; los pacientes con menor tiempo de ACO presentaron mayor estabilidad; aquellos que gastaban menos con la medicación permanecían más estables y con mejor adhesión. Se concluyó que más del 90% de los pacientes presentaron adhesión alta y promedio, y que el tiempo de anticoagulación y el costo con la medicación fueron los factores relacionados a la estabilidad de la ACO.Este é um estudo transversal, desenvolvido com o objetivo de relacionar a estabilidade do índice de normatização internacional (INR), utilizado como parâmetro para monitorar os níveis de coagulação do sangue, com adesão, idade, escolaridade, nível socioeconômico, interação com outras medicações, comorbidades, ingesta de vitamina K, tempo de anticoagulação (ACO) e custo com medicações. Incluíram-se 156 pacientes, idade média 57±13 anos, 53,8% pertencente ao sexo masculino; 61 (39,1%) tiveram alta adesão, 91 (58,3%) média e 4 (2,6%) baixa adesão ao tratamento; 117 (75%) apresentaram estabilidade do INR de até 50% e 39 (25%) > a 75%; pacientes com menor tempo de ACO apresentaram maior estabilidade; aqueles que gastavam menos com a medicação permaneciam mais estáveis e com melhor adesão. Concluiu-se que mais de 90% dos pacientes apresentaram alta e média adesão referida, e que tempo de anticoagulação e custo com a medicação foram os fatores relacionados à estabilidade da ACO.

Use of coumarin and heparin for more than sixty years, has been an effective and powerfulmedical tool for treatment and prevention of thromboembolic diseases, tarnished nevertheless,by their little security and laboratory controls which are frequently needed. Such reasonsmake for an effective challenge and an active field, searching the ideal anticoagulant inscientific investigation, drugs to inhibit specific clot factors, able to exclude the weak pointsof the available ones is its goal. In this article, we consider physiopathology for thrombi formationand we review too the history, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic properties ofold anticoagulants drugs, their limitations, just when new anticoagulants drugs haveemerged as inhibitors of thrombin or Xa factor, whose effectiveness and security are beingcontrasted with the traditional ones in wide programs of current execution with atrial fibrillationand coronary syndromes included, and they could potentially substitute the old ones ina near future.

Introducción. La warfarina es un anticoagulante de difícil manejo por su estrecho margen terapéutico y los numerosos factores que influyen en la respuesta. Objetivo. Determinar la contribución de variables demográficas, clínicas y genéticas sobre las dosis de mantenimiento de warfarina en pacientes colombianos. Materiales y métodos. Se incluyeron 145 adultos de ambos sexos, en anticoagulación estable con International Normalized Ratio (INR) entre 2 y 3, al menos, durante dos meses, sin cambio en las dosis de warfarina ni en el preparado comercial. Previa firma del consentimiento informado de cada voluntario, se registró su edad, sexo, peso, talla, tabaquismo, enfermedades concomitantes, medicación simultánea, INR, dosis de warfarina, su indicación y nombre comercial. Cada paciente se tipificó para los genes CYP2C9, VKORC1, CYP4F2 y PROC, y en 59 de ellos, se cuantificaron las concentraciones séricas de warfarina. La genotipificación y la cuantificación sanguínea se hicieron mediante minisecuenciación y HPLC, respectivamente. Resultados. Los factores de edad, medicación simultánea con inhibidores (amiodarona, sertralina, fluoxetina) o inductores enzimáticos (fenitoína, carbamacepina), los alelos rs1799853 (*2) y rs1057910 (*3) del gen CYP2C9, así como rs9923231 del gen VKORC1, se asociaron con las dosis de warfarina requeridas para conseguir anticoagulación con INR de 2 a 3. Dichas variables se incluyeron en un modelo de regresión lineal múltiple que permitiera predecir la dosis semanal de warfarina, y se obtuvo un algoritmo que explica el 47,4% de la variabilidad en las dosis. Conclusión. La consideración de las variables clínicas y las farmacogenéticas puede mejorar la relación entre seguridad y eficacia de la warfarina, aunque la adopción de un algoritmo de dosificación farmacogenético requiere información obtenida con ensayos clínicos.

Adherence to chronic Oral Anticoagulant Therapy (OAT) is directly related to patients' understanding of the therapy. This study verified the knowledge of patients with mechanical valve prostheses concerning OAT. This is a contemporary cross-sectional study, the sample is composed of patients with mechanical valve prostheses (MVP) in outpatient follow-up. A 10-question instrument was used; answers were ‘know' (1 point), ‘know partially' (half point), or ‘do not know' (zero). Patients were grouped according to the result obtained: ≤ 4 points was considered insufficient knowledge; > 4 ≤ 8 equated to moderate knowledge; and > 8 was considered appropriate knowledge. Of the 110 patients, 61.8% presented moderate knowledge, 40.9% were not able to name at least one factor that may alter the INR (International Normalized Ratio) and 37.3% were not able to report their INR target range. The majority of patients presented moderate knowledge concerning the treatment. Strategies to improve knowledge on the topic should be implemented to minimize risks.El objetivo de este estudio fue verificar el conocimiento de pacientes con prótesis valvular sobre la terapia de anticoagulación oral. La adhesión a la terapia de anticoagulación oral crónica está directamente relacionada al entendimiento del paciente sobre esta terapia. Se trata de un estudio transversal contemporáneo, en el cual se incluyeron pacientes de ambulatorio con prótesis valvular mecánica (PVM). Se aplicó un cuestionario con 10 preguntas; las respuestas fueron "sabe" (1 punto), "sabe parcialmente" (medio punto), "no sabe" (cero puntos). Los pacientes fueron agrupados según la puntuación obtenida: ≤ 4 puntos, conocimiento insuficiente; > 4 ≤ 8 puntos, conocimiento regular; > 8 puntos, conocimiento adecuado. De los 110 pacientes incluidos, el 61,8% demostró conocimiento regular, 40,9% no supieron citar un factor que altera el REI (razón estandarizada internacional) y 37,3% no supieron informar su REI objetivo. Se concluyó que la mayoría de los pacientes demostró conocimiento regular sobre el tratamiento. Se recomienda implantar estrategias para mejorar el conocimiento y minimizar los riesgos de la terapia.A adesão à terapia com anticoagulação oral crônica está diretamente relacionada ao entendimento dos pacientes sobre essa terapia. O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o conhecimento dos pacientes, com prótese valvar mecânica, sobre terapia de anticoagulação oral. Como método, usou-se o estudo transversal contemporâneo. Incluem-se pacientes com prótese valvar mecânica (PVM) em acompanhamento ambulatorial. Aplicou-se instrumento com 10 questões. As respostas eram sabe (um ponto), sabe parcialmente (meio ponto), ou não sabe (zero). Os pacientes foram agrupados conforme a pontuação obtida. Considerou-se ≤4 pontos conhecimento insuficiente, >4 ≤8 conhecimento regular e >8 conhecimento adequado. Os resultados mostram que, dos 110 pacientes, 61,8% apresentaram conhecimento regular, 40,9% não souberam citar ao menos um fator que alterasse a razão normatizada internacional (RNI) e 37,3% não souberam informar o seu RNI alvo. Conclui-se que a maioria dos pacientes apresentou conhecimento regular sobre o tratamento. Estratégias devem ser implementadas para melhorar o conhecimento e, consequentemente, minimizar os riscos dessa terapêutica.

This methodological study adapted and analyzed the psychometric properties of the Measurement of Treatment Adherence (MTA) instrument for Brazilian users of oral anticoagulation therapy. Its final version was tested with 178 individuals. The average of answers for all questions ranged from 4.6 to 5.8 and 97.2% of the individuals were considered adherent. Moderate correlations were obtained between the adherence measure and the Mental health and Vitality domains of the SF-36. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.60 and the ceiling effect occurred in answers to all items. These results indicate weak evidence of the validity, reliability and responsiveness of the MTA-adapted version for users of oral anticoagulant therapy.Este es un estudio metodológico que tuvo como objetivos adaptar y analizar las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento medida de adhesión a los tratamientos (MAT) como medida de adhesión a la terapéutica de anticoagulante oral (ACO). La versión final fue probada en 178 sujetos. Los promedios de las respuestas a los ítems del MAT variaron de 4,6 la 5,8, siendo que 97,2% fueron considerados adherentes. Correlaciones moderadas fueron obtenidas entre la medida de adhesión y los dominios salud mental y vitalidad, del SF-36. El alfa de Cronbach obtenido fue 0,60 y se constató la presencia de efecto máximo en las respuestas de todos los ítems. Eses resultados indican débiles evidencias de la validad, confiabilidad y responsividad de la versión adaptada del MAT para usuarios de anticoagulantes orales.Este é um estudo metodológico que teve como objetivos adaptar e analisar as propriedades psicométricas do instrumento medida de adesão aos tratamentos (MAT) como medida de adesão à terapêutica de anticoagulação oral (ACO). A versão final foi testada em 178 sujeitos. As médias das respostas aos itens do MAT variaram de 4,6 a 5,8, sendo que 97,2% foram considerados aderentes. Correlações moderadas foram obtidas entre a medida de adesão e os domínios saúde mental e vitalidade, do SF-36. O alfa de Cronbach obtido foi 0,60 e constatou-se a presença de efeito máximo nas respostas de todos os itens. Esses resultados indicam fracas evidências da validade, confiabilidade e responsividade da versão adaptada do MAT para usuários de anticoagulantes orais.

Este estudo teve como objetivo investigar o perfil sócio-demográfico, clínico e laboratorial de indivíduos em seguimento ambulatorial devido ao uso de anticoagulantes orais. O estudo foi descritivo, transversal, realizado no ambulatório de anticoagulação oral de um hospital terciário do interior do estado de São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados por entrevistas e consultas aos prontuários dos pacientes. Participaram 180 sujeitos, a maioria do sexo feminino (65,6%), com idade média de 55 anos, em uso de varfarina (83,3%) há mais de 6,9 anos, devido à presença de prótese cardíaca metálica (50%). Os resultados obtidos fornecem subsídios para os enfermeiros planejarem à assistencia aos usuários de anticoagulação oral com vistas a diminuição de possíveis complicações relacionadas à terapia e ao aumento da adesão ao tratamento.Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar el perfil sócio-demográfico, clínico y de laboratorio, período de seguimiento, porque las personas en el uso de los anticoagulantes orales. El estudio fue descriptivo, transversal, realizado en la clínica de anticoagulación oral en un hospital terciario en el estado de São Paulo, Brasil. Los datos fueron obtenídos a través de entrevistas y consultas con los registros médicos de los pacientes. Participaron 180 sujetos, la mayoría de las mujeres (65,6%) con edad media de 55 años, el uso de warfarina (83,3%) a lo largo de 6,9 años, debido a la presencia de prótesis metálicas corazón (50%). Los resultados proveen información para que las enfermeras plan de asistencia a los usuarios de la anticoagulación oral con el fin de reducir las complicaciones asociadas a la terapia y aumento de la adherencia al tratamiento.The purpose of this study is to investigate the socio-demographic, clinical and laboratory profile of individuals in the follow-up period due to the use of oral anticoagulants. This is a descriptive study, cross performed in the clinic of oral anticoagulation in a tertiary hospital in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. Data were collected through interviews and examinations of the patients' medical records. 180 subjects participated. The results show that the most females (65.6%), with an average age of 55 years, use warfarin (83.3%) for 6.9 years or more, due to the presence of metallic prosthetic heart (50%). These results provide subsidies for nurses to plan the assistance of their patients in oral anticoagulation therapy as a way of reducing complications related to therapy and increasing adherence to treatment.

The disease caused by Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) has become a worldwide pandemic and consequently a public health problem. Multiple complications associated with Covid-19 have been described, including coagulation abnormalities. Although the infection is known to induce a prothrombotic state, hemorrhagic complications have also been reported in patients with Covid-19, especially in anticoagulated patients. We present two cases of spontaneous pulmonary hematoma in patients with Covid-19 undergoing anticoagulant treatment. We aim to describe this complication, which although uncommon, should be taken into account in anticoagulated patients with Covid-19., (© 2021 SERAM. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)