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Introduction. In rare cases, chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)/small lymphocytic lymphoma may transform into Hodgkin lymphoma, with about a hundred cases reported in the literature so far. We present a case of the Hodgkin variant of Richter transformation. Case report. After a one-year watch and wait period, a 60-year-old male with CLL developed B symptoms, generalized lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. Upon initial staging (Binet B/Rai 3), he was started on fludarabine, cyclophosphamide, and rituximab (FCR) regimen. After the third cycle of treatment, the right-sided axillary lymphadenopathy persisted and became painful, while the dimensions of the remaining organs affected by the disease decreased. Upon the finalization of the final sixth FCR cycle, the painful right-sided axillary lymphadenopathy persisted (though partially decreasing in size), with the development of local redness and swelling. A biopsy of the residual axillary node was performed, which revealed disease transformation into Hodgkin lymphoma. Upon multislice computed tomography-based staging ( IVE clinical stage) and prognostic assessment (unfavorable prognosis), it was decided that the treatment be continued with doxorubicin, vinblastine, dacarbazine (AVD) regimen. The presented patient died two months after the diagnosis of Hodgkin transformation (HT) was established during the initial cycle of AVD. Conclusion. Although CLL is an indolent malignancy, in rare cases of HT, the prognosis is largely dismal. The available treatment strategies demonstrate suboptimal results, although novel immunotherapies may change the landscape of HT therapy in the near future. more...

Background/Aim. Despite the introduction of new oral anticoagulants (dabigatran, rivoroxaban, apixaban), vitamin K antagonists (VKA), such as warfarin and acenocoumarol are still the most widely used oral anticoagulants for the treatment of nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). The time in therapeutic range (TTR) represents a measure of the quality of the anticoagulant effect of these drugs, and it is considered that the lower value of TTR is associated with the adverse effects of therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate of the effectiveness of VKA therapy in patients with NVAF and to identify factors affecting the anticoagulation efficacy. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted on a population of 725 outpatients with NVAF, treated with VKA and followed in the Blood Transfusion Institute of Niš, Serbia, from January to December 2017. Laboratory control of the INR was done from capillary blood of patients on Thrombotrack Solo (Axis Shield, Norway) and Thrombostat (Behnk Elektronik, Germany). Targeted therapeutic INR was between 2.0 and 3.0. For each patient all available INR values were evaluated to calculate the individual TTR according to the Rosendaal method. Results. The study included a total of 725 patients with NVAF which had 6,105 INR measurements, what was 8.13 ± 2.47 INR measurements per patient. The mean value of TTR and was 60.15 ± 17.52%, but 49.72% of patients had TTR less than 60%. Patients were at high risk of thrombosis in 6.15% of time (INR < 1.5) and high risk of bleeding in 2.2% of time (INR > 4.5). The most significant independent factors affecting the quality of VKA therapy were gender, arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus and the use of amiodarone and antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel). Conclusion. The TTR is undoubtedly useful indicator of the VKA treatment effectiveness. The most important predictors of poorer efficacy of VKA therapy are: arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, patients' gender and the use of amiodarone and antiplatelet drugs (aspirin, clopidogrel). To improve the quality of VKA therapy, education of patients and better collaboration with them, as well as a successful teamwork of clinicians are also imperative. more...

Introduction: Despite substantial advances in the treatment of Hemophilia A with the use of concentrated factor VIII preparations during recent decades, bleeding episodes still occur from time to time. The development of inhibitors significantly reduces the efficacy of traditional replacement therapy, seriously increasing morbidity and mortality in these patients. Emicizumab (HEMLIBRA ®) is a chimeric bispecific humanized antibody that bridges activated FIX and FX and thus restores the function of missing activated FVIII. Aim: The aim of the study was to analyze the literature date of the effect of Emicizumab in the treatment of Hemophilia A. Results: Multicenter randomized studies called HAVEN have shown excellent results of this medication in the treatment of patients with Hemophilia A. FVIII inhibitors do not bind to or neutralize Emicizumab and therefore have no effect on the hemostatic activity of the drug. Emicizumab prophylaxis produced a significant reduction in treated bleedings of 79%, compared to with the group of patients on prophylaxis with bypassing agents, while the rate grew up to even 95% after longer observation. Other studies have also confirmed good treatment results and a favorable safety profile in both adults and children. In the cases of bleeding events or preparation for immediate surgical interventions, it is recommended to user FVII (NovoSeven) ® according to previous guidelines. Conclusion: The results of the prophylactic use of Emicizumabhave so far shown that it may be a revolutionary preparation that can significantly reduce bleeding episodes and improve the quality of life of patients with Hemophilia A. Nevertheless, further testing of this drug is required. more...

Background/Aim. The platelet aggregation, as a laboratory test for assessment of platelet function, is very efficient for optimal antiplatelet treatment and also to identify individuals who have suboptimal response to antiplatelet drugs, such as aspirin and clopidogrel. The aim of this study was to determine the level of inhibition of platelet aggregation using impedance aggregometry in the patients receiving different preparations of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in a dose of 100 mg per day. Methods. The examination included 215 patients (110 men and 105 women), treated with one of three different ASA preparations after acute myocardial infarction, as a single therapy or with clopidogrel. Among them, 89 patients were on Aspirin protect® (Bayer, Germany) – Group 1 and 66 patients were on Cardiopirin® (GL Pharma GMBH, Austria) – Group 2, while 60 patients were taking Andol® (Pliva, Croatia) – Group 3. The groups were equal in the presence of factors that can influence platelet aggregation (age, gender, smoking, diabetes, taking other drugs). The platelet function was measured using the impedance aggregometer Multiplate (Multiplate Platelet Function Analyzer, Roche) in the blood samples with heparin for the platelet aggregation activated by the arachidonic acid (ASPI) and by thrombin (TRAP) tests [the area under the aggregation curve (AUC) was used to express the aggregation response over the measured time (AU*min)]. Results. Efficacy of ASA preparations showed statistically significant differences among the three investigated groups (χKW2 = 46.279; p < 0.001), and it was also observed separately in the patients undergoing single therapy (χKW2 = 26.344; p < 0.001) and dual therapy (χKW2 = 23.498; p < 0.001). It was found that the patients who were taking Aspirin protect® obtained significantly better antiplatelet efficiency compared to the patients receiving Cardiopirin® (Z = 5.472; p < 0.001) and Andol® (Z = 5.387; p = 0.022). There is reduced efficiency of all ASA preparations in smokers, while patients receiving Aspirin protect® were 10.5 times more likely to be responders. Conclusion. Different ASA preparations observed in this study showed different efficiency on the platelet function as measured by the method of impedance aggregometry. more...

Background/Aim. Low birth weight (LBW) is a result of preterm birth or intrauterine growth retardation, and in both cases is the strongest single factor associated with perinatal and neonatal mortality. It is considered that socioeconomic factors, as well as mothers bad habits, play the most significant role in the development of LBW, which explains notable number of researches focused on this particular problem. The aim of this study was to characterize socioeconomic factors, as well as smoking habits of the mothers, and their connection with LBW. Methods. The questionnaire was carried out among mothers of 2 years old children (n = 956), born after 37 gestational weeks. The characteristics of mothers who had children with LBW, defined as < 2 500 g, (n = 50), were matched with the characteristics of mothers who had children ≥ 2 500 g, (n = 906). For defining risk factors, and protective factors as well, we used univariant and multivariant logistic modeles. Results. As significant risk factors for LBW in an univariant model we had education level of the mothers, smoking during pregnancy, smoking before pregnancy, the number of daily cigarettes, the number of cigarettes used during pregnancy, paternal earnings and socioeconomic factors. In a multivariant model the most significant factors were socioeconomic factors, education level of the mothers, paternal earnings and mothers smoking during pregnancy. Conclusion. Smoking during pregnancy and socioeconomic factors have great influence on LBW. Future studies should be carried out in different social groups, with the intention to define their influence on LBW and reproduction, as well. This should be the proper way of adequate health breeding planning for giving up smoking, the prevention of bad habits and melioration of mothers and children health, as the most vulnerable population. more...

Background/Aim. Low birth weight (LBW) is a result of preterm birth or intrauterine growth retardation, and in both cases is the strongest single factor associated with perinatal and neonatal mortality. It is considered that socioeconomic factors, as well as mothers bad habits, play the most significant role in the development of LBW, which explains notable number of researches focused on this particular problem. The aim of this study was to characterize socioeconomic factors, as well as smoking habits of the mothers, and their connection with LBW. Methods. The questionnaire was carried out among mothers of 2 years old children (n = 956), born after 37 gestational weeks. The characteristics of mothers who had children with LBW, defined as < 2 500 g, (n = 50), were matched with the characteristices of mothers who had children ≥ 2 500 g, (n = 906). For defining risk factors, and protective factors as well, we used univariant and multivariant logistic modeles. Results. As significant risk factors for LBW in an univariant model we had education level of the mothers, smoking during pregnancy, smoking before pregnancy, the number of daily cigarettes, the number of cigarettes used during pregnancy, paternal earnings and socioeconomic factors. In a multivariant model the most significant factors were socioeconomic factors, education level of the mothers, paternal earnings and mothers smoking during pregnancy. Conclusion. Smoking during pregnancy and socioeconomic factors have great influence on LBW. Future studies should be carried out in different social groups, with the intention to define their influence on LBW and reproduction, as well. This should be the proper way of adequate health breeding planning for giving up smoking, the prevention of bad habits and melioration of mothers and children health, as the most vulnerable population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...