PURPOSE: To compare the hematologic changes and the rates of transfusion of patients using rivaroxaban or aspirin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after a total knee arthroplasty. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Among patients with total knee arthroplasty from July 2010 to March 2011, two groups of 100 consecutive cases were enrolled in this study, 50 patients with Rivaroxaban group and 50 patients with Aspirin group for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis after a total knee arthoplasty. Hematologic changes and transfusion rates were calculated in each group. RESULTS: The mean of decreased hemoglobin was 4.7 (3.1-6.6) in the Rivaroxaban group and 3.6 (2.0-5.1) in the Aspirin group (p<0.05). The number of patients with decreased hemoglobin of less than 8 g/dl was observed in 23 cases (46%) in the Rivaroxaban group, and 9 cases (18%) in the Aspirin group. The numbers of patients who needed transfusion were 12 in the Rivaroxaban group, and 2 in the Aspirin group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Rivaroxaban group revealed more significant decrease of hemoglobin and needed more transfusion than the Aspirin group did. For the prevention of venous thromboembolism after total knee arthroplasty, we should be careful using Rivaroxaban for the standard risk patients of venous thromboembolism.
Arthroplasty ; Aspirin ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Knee ; Morpholines ; Thiophenes ; Venous Thromboembolism ; Rivaroxaban

The most important and widely-prescribed drug for anticoagulation is a vitamin K antagonist such as warfarin although it has several limitations in clinical use. New oral anticoagulants (NOACs) have been developed to overcome these problems. The clinical efficacy and safety of dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban have been shown to be superior to warfarin through large-scale clinical trials. These NOACs can replace warfarin in significant proportions of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation to prevent stroke. Recent management guidelines for atrial fibrillation have already recommended NOACs for stroke prevention instead of warfarin. Future clinical studies should resolve the limitations of NOACs and try to extend their clinical indications.
Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Benzimidazoles ; beta-Alanine ; Dabigatran ; Humans ; Morpholines ; Pyrazoles ; Pyridones ; Rivaroxaban ; Stroke ; Thiophenes ; Vitamin K ; Warfarin

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) doubles in the extreme elderly and is higher than in the rest of the population. Warfarin therapy to prevent thromboembolic events secondary to AF is often underutilized and under-prescribed in this subgroup, due to the fear of bleeding and other complications. Newer oral anticoagulants such as rivaroxaban and dabigatran offer alternative therapeutic options for the extreme elderly. We review the clinical trial data of these newer agents in the extreme elderly population. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The primary literature was identified through PubMed, using the following search terms: anticoagulation, rivaroxaban, dabigatran, warfarin, elderly, AF, bleeding, stroke, and aging. Additional references were identified through the review of references from the articles obtained. We included clinical studies evaluating anticoagulation therapies in AF. Selection emphasis was placed on those evaluating anticoagulation in the elderly population. RESULTS: Dabigatran and rivaroxaban have predictable, dose-proportional pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, which make them favorable options for the elderly. Fewer monitoring parameters and drug interactions allow for the greater ease of use. A landmark trial shows that the rate of intracranial hemorrhage with dabigatran is lower in this population compared to warfarin. However, the data is based on a small number of subjects enrolled in the clinical trials. As such, the real-world use of these agents may not replicate the published rates of bleeding and thrombosis in the study populations. CONCLUSION: More research is needed in this area, specifically in this population, before newer agents such as rivaroxaban and dabigatran are widely recommended for use in the extreme elderly patients.
Aged ; Aging ; Anticoagulants ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Benzimidazoles ; beta-Alanine ; Drug Interactions ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Morpholines ; Prevalence ; Stroke ; Thiophenes ; Thrombosis ; Warfarin ; Dabigatran ; Rivaroxaban

Pivotal clinical trials testing the efficacy of new antithrombotics for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with atrial fibrillation have been published since the release of the first edition of Korean clinical practice guidelines for primary stroke prevention. From July 2007 to August 2012, 5 clinical studies and update of guidelines in Europe and North America were identified through systematic search. In patients with atrial fibrillation who were unsuitable for warfarin, the combination of clopidogrel and aspirin reduced the risk of stroke at the cost of increased major bleedings as compared to aspirin. In patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation and risk factors for stroke, new oral anticoagulants, dabigatran, rivaroxaban and apixaban, were as effective as or more effective than warfarin in preventing stroke or systemic embolism. The risks of major bleeding with novel anticoagulants were similar to or lower than that of warfarin. Particularly, the risk of intracranial bleeding was significantly lower with novel anticoagulants than with warfarin. In this report, we summarized the new evidences and updated our recommendations for primary stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation.
Anticoagulants ; Aspirin ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Benzimidazoles ; beta-Alanine ; Embolism ; Europe ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Morpholines ; North America ; Primary Prevention ; Pyrazoles ; Pyridones ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; Thiophenes ; Ticlopidine ; Warfarin ; Dabigatran ; Rivaroxaban

CLINICAL SCENARIO: A 46-year-old male consulted for refraction. Best-corrected visual acuity was 20/20 for both eyes (OU), Jaeger 1 for near. Slit-lamp examination was normal. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 25 mm Hg OU. Gonioscopy revealed iridocorneal angles that were open up to the ciliary body band OU. Funduscopy revealed clear media with no exudates or hemorrhages in the retina. Cup-disc ratio was 0.7 vertically and 0.6 horizontally with notching of the inferotemporal neuroretinal rim OU. Automated visual-field examination showed superior arcuate scotomas OU with no threat to fixation. The working diagnosis upon consultation was primary open-angle glaucoma. After all treatment options had been explained to the patient, a trial of medical therapy was chosen. Given the severity of the glaucoma, a target IOP range was initially set at 15 to 17 mm Hg. Nonselective beta-adrenergic blockers and prostaglandin analogues are two classes of medications that will most probably lower the IOP to the desired levels CLINICAL QUESTION: Among patients undergoing initial medical therapy for primary open-angle glaucoma, would latanoprost be more effective in lowering the IOP compared with timolol? SEARCH METHOD: An electronic literature search was performed using Medline (PubMed). The key words used were "latanoprost" and "timolol." The search was further limited to randomized clinical trials or metaanalysis published in the English language. Table 1 shows the search process performed The search was narrowed down to 5 articles. Abstracts of the articles were reviewed. One article employed ocular hypertensive subjects while another compared brimonidine and timolol. These studies were, therefore, excluded. Among all the metaanalyses obtained from the search, Zhang et al.s had the most number of subjects and outcome measures. It was for this reason that the article was chosen for appraisal in resolving the clinical scenario. (Author)
TIMOLOL

OBJECTIVE: We compared the impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) on patients of an aprepitant regimen with an ondansetron regimen, for antiemetic efficacy after highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). METHODS: The study was performed prospective on 61 patients who is diagnosed initially the gynecological cancer during chemotherapy at Gospel hospital of Kosin university between March 2007 and October 2007. The study was divided according to an aprepitant/ondansetron regimen. The efficacy of controlling acute (during the 24 hours after chemotherapy) /delayed (day 2 days thought 5) nausea, vomiting and adverse effects were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The efficacy of controlling nausea with an aprepitant regimen and an ondansetron regimen was 86.7%, 83.9% in acute periods (Pvalue= 0.742) and 99%, 83.9% in delayed periods (P-value=0.083), respectively. The efficacy of controlling vomiting with an aprepitant regimen and an ondansetron regimen was 93.3%, 90.3% in acute periods (P-value=0.809) and 96.7%, 83.9% in delayed periods (Pvalue= 0.034), respectively. The efficacy of controlling delayed vomiting with an aprepitant regimen reported significantly. The common adverse effects in both groups were not significantly. CONCLUSION: The regimen including aprepitant was superior in preventing CINV as compared with a regimen in which both ondansetron and dexamethasone were given delayed periods in patients receiving chemotherapy
Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Morpholines ; Nausea ; Ondansetron ; Prospective Studies ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVE: We compared the impact of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) on patients of an aprepitant regimen with an ondansetron regimen, for antiemetic efficacy after highly emetogenic chemotherapy (HEC). METHODS: The study was performed prospective on 61 patients who is diagnosed initially the gynecological cancer during chemotherapy at Gospel hospital of Kosin university between March 2007 and October 2007. The study was divided according to an aprepitant/ondansetron regimen. The efficacy of controlling acute (during the 24 hours after chemotherapy) /delayed (day 2 days thought 5) nausea, vomiting and adverse effects were compared. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square test. RESULTS: The efficacy of controlling nausea with an aprepitant regimen and an ondansetron regimen was 86.7%, 83.9% in acute periods (Pvalue= 0.742) and 99%, 83.9% in delayed periods (P-value=0.083), respectively. The efficacy of controlling vomiting with an aprepitant regimen and an ondansetron regimen was 93.3%, 90.3% in acute periods (P-value=0.809) and 96.7%, 83.9% in delayed periods (Pvalue= 0.034), respectively. The efficacy of controlling delayed vomiting with an aprepitant regimen reported significantly. The common adverse effects in both groups were not significantly. CONCLUSION: The regimen including aprepitant was superior in preventing CINV as compared with a regimen in which both ondansetron and dexamethasone were given delayed periods in patients receiving chemotherapy
Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Morpholines ; Nausea ; Ondansetron ; Prospective Studies ; Vomiting

Human ; Female ; Adult ; Lacquer ; Morpholines ; Nails ; Naphthalenes ; Onychomycosis ;

OBJECTIVETo investigate the risk of hidden blood loss about applying rivaroxaban after total hip arthroplasty.

METHODSFrom October 2009 to May 2012,88 patients with femoral head necrosis were treated with primary total hip arthroplasty. All the patients were divided into Rivaroxaban group(44 cases)and control group(44 cases). There were 25 males and 19 females in the Rivaroxaban group, with an average age of (58.48 +/- 15.19) years old; in the control group,24 patients were male and 20 patients were female, with an average age of (61.11 +/- 13.54) years old. The patients in the Rivaroxaban group took Rivaroxaban orally from the first day after operation with a dose of 10 mg each day, and treatment course was 14 days. The patients in the control group took placebo orally at the same time. Dominant blood loss and transfusion were recorded, blood routine examinations were taken before operation and at 3 days after operation. The total blood loss and hidden blood loss were calculated according to the formula.

RESULTSThe mean total blood loss was (1509.56 +/- 325.23) ml and the hidden blood loss was(581.47 +/- 215.01) ml, accounting for (37.88 +/- 10.42)% in the Rivaroxaban group. The mean total blood loss was (1262.30 +/- 397.95) ml and the hidden blood loss was (395.59 +/- 97.33) ml, accounting for (30.62 +/- 0.20)% in the control group. The total blood loss, hidden blood loss and transfusion in the Rivaroxaban group was significantly more than those in control group,b ut there was no significant difference on dominant blood loss between two groups.

CONCLUSIONRivaroxaban increased the overall bleeding risk of total hip arthroplasty, especially hidden bleeding risk, which should be careful used.

Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; adverse effects ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hemorrhage ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Risk ; Rivaroxaban ; Thiophenes ; pharmacology ; Time Factors

OBJECTIVETo establish the rat model of acute pulmonary embolism, and study the changes of vascular active substances in pulmonary embolism rats, and investigate the interventive effect of anticoagulant drugs on vascular active substances.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-eight rats were randomly divided into four groups: control group, model group, low-molecular-weight heparin and warfarin treated group and rivaroxaban-treated group (n = 32 in each group). The method of autologous thrombosis was used to establish the animal model of acute pulmonary embolism. The animals were treated with saline or different anticoagulant drugs. The physiological and biochemical parameters were detected at different time points after embolization. The rats were killed after embolism of 24 h, 3 d, 5 d or 1 week respectively and the pathologic samples of lung tissues were collected to analyze the pulmonary pathological changes in different groups.

RESULTSRats in embolization group after blood clots injection showed shortness of breath, oral cyanosis; quicken heart rates and other symptoms. All embolization groups had pulmonary hypertension, the levels of type B natriuretic peptide (BNP) were increased significantly. The ratio of endothelin-1 (ET-1)/NO and thromboxane (TXB2) and prostacyclin (6-k-PGFla) were abnormal. After treated with effective anticoagulant drugs, the levels of BNP, ET-1, NO, TXB2 and 6-k-PGF1a were tended to the normal levels in the control group. The pulmonary hypertensions were gradually decreased. The efficacy of rivaroxaban on pulmonary embolism was the same as that of the low molecular weight heparin or warfarin.

CONCLUSIONAnticoagulation therapy can effectively improve endothelial function after pulmonary embolism, reduce pulmonary hypertension, and revise the increased BNP levels to normal levels. The efficacy of rivaroxaban is not inferior to that of low molecular weight heparin and warfarin.

Animals ; Anticoagulants ; pharmacology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; pharmacology ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Lung ; pathology ; Morpholines ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Embolism ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rivaroxaban ; Thiophenes ; pharmacology ; Warfarin ; pharmacology