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Purpose: Apixaban, a direct oral anticoagulant is administered for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation patients. Dosing adjustment is guided by renal function, age, and body weight. However, no data exist on its pharmacokinetics in patients with a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 35 kg/m2. The aim was to investigate the effects of BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 on trough plasma concentrations of apixaban in patients with atrial fibrillation. Methods: This prospective study compared steady-state trough concentrations of apixaban in patients with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 and patients with a BMI < 35 kg/m2. Results: Sixty patients were included. In patients receiving 5 mg apixaban twice daily, the median trough plasma concentration was 29% lower in patients with a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 than in those with a BMI < 35 kg/m2 (148.9 ng/ml, interquartile range [IQR] 94.5–205.6, compared to 209.1 ng/ml, IQR 167–266.8 ng/ml, respectively; P = 0.044). However, median trough concentrations fell within the manufacturer's predicted range for effective steady-state apixaban exposure. A similar trend was observed with 2.5 mg apixaban twice daily, although statistical significance was not reached. Multivariate analysis revealed no correlation between BMI values and trough concentrations. Conclusion: BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2 patients exhibited lower apixaban trough concentrations, while remaining within the manufacturer's established range for effective steady-state apixaban, suggesting that dose adjustment is unnecessary for this specific patient group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Protein C global assay tests the global function of the protein C pathway, the most clinically significant anticoagulant pathway in humans. The objective of this study is to assess the difference in protein C global assay levels, throughout twin gestation, in naturally conceiving and ART-treated women. Methods: This is a prospective cohort longitudinal study of pregnant women with twin gestation. Protein C Global evaluation was performed on frozen blood samples. Ninety-eight women with twin pregnancy, thirty-eight naturally conceived and sixty following ART, were evaluated on four occasions: during the first, second, and third trimesters, and 6 weeks or later after delivery (baseline). Results: Protein C global assay levels were lower throughout pregnancy as compared to basal levels in both the naturally conceived and ART-conceived groups. However, protein C global assay levels were similar between the ART-conceived and naturally conceived twin pregnancies in all three trimesters. Perinatal complications were associated with decreased protein C global assay levels during the third trimester, although no difference was encountered between naturally conceived and ART-complicated twin pregnancies. Conclusion: While protein C global assay levels drop during twin pregnancy, there is no difference between ART-conceived and naturally conceived gestations. Decreased levels of protein C global assay during the third trimester were similarly associated with perinatal complications in both groups. Our results imply that twin pregnancy of itself is a more dominant factor for perinatal complications as compared to other factors, such as subfertility or the exposure to ART per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]