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Background: Although hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is frequently associated with thrombosis, it is also associated with liver cirrhosis (LC) which causes hemostatic abnormalities. Therefore, hemostatic abnormalities in patients with HCC were examined using a clot waveform analysis (CWA). Methods: Hemostatic abnormalities in 88 samples from HCC patients, 48 samples from LC patients and 153 samples from patients with chronic liver diseases (CH) were examined using a CWA-activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and small amount of tissue factor induced FIX activation (sTF/FIXa) assay. Results: There were no significant differences in the peak time on CWA-APTT among HCC, LC, and CH, and the peak heights of CWA-APTT were significantly higher in HCC and CH than in HVs and LC. The peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIXa were significantly higher in HCC than in LC. The peak times of the CWA-APTT were significantly longer in stages B, C, and D than in stage A or cases of response. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, the fibrin formation height (FFH) of the CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest diagnostic ability for HCC and LC, respectively. Thrombosis was observed in 13 HCC patients, and arterial thrombosis and portal vein thrombosis were frequently associated with HCC without LC and HCC with LC, respectively. In ROC, the peak time×peak height of the first derivative on the CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest diagnostic ability for thrombosis. Conclusion: The CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa can increase the evaluability of HCC including the association with LC and thrombotic complications.

Abstract Background Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a common and critical complication in sepsis. Antithrombin activity, which is considered a biomarker for disease severity, was measured in septic DIC treated with antithrombin concentrates in this study. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of post-marketing survey data that included 1,800 patients with sepsis-associated DIC and antithrombin activity of 70% or less who were treated with antithrombin concentrates. The changes in sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, DIC score, and antithrombin activity were sequentially assessed. Logistic regression analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to evaluate the performance of antithrombin activity to assess 28-day survival. Furthermore, the relationship between post-treatment antithrombin activity and survival was examined by Logistic regression analysis. Results Sex, baseline SOFA score, baseline antithrombin activities, and the presence of pneumonia and soft tissue infection were significantly associated with 28-day mortality. The area under the curve for mortality was 0.639 for post-treatment antithrombin activity, and higher than those of baseline- and delta antithrombin activities. Logistic regression analysis revealed that higher post-treatment antithrombin activity was associated with better 28-day survival. When post-treatment antithrombin activity was more than 80%, the estimated survival was 88.2%. Whereas, the survival was 74.4% when the antithrombin activity was 80% or less (P

Acute cerebral infarction (ACI) includes atherosclerotic and cardiogenic ACI and involves a thrombotic state, requiring antithrombotic treatment. However, the thrombotic state in ACI cannot be evaluated using routine hemostatic examinations. Plasma soluble C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (sCLEC-2) and D-dimer levels were measured in patients with ACI. Plasma sCLEC-2 and D-dimer levels were significantly higher in patients with ACI than in those without it. The sCLEC-2 × D-dimer formula was significantly higher in patients with ACI than in those without it. A receiver operating characteristic curve showed a high sensitivity, area under the curve, and odds for diagnosing ACI in the sCLEC-2 × D-dimer formula. Although the sCLEC-2 and D-dimer levels were useful for the differential diagnosis between cardiogenic and atherosclerotic ACI, the sCLEC-2 × D-dimer formula was not useful. sCLEC2 and D-dimer levels are useful for the diagnosis of ACI and the sCLEC2 × D-dimer formula can enhance the diagnostic ability of ACI, and sCLEC2 and D-dimer levels may be useful for differentiating between atherosclerotic and cardioembolic ACI.

Abstract Background Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is caused by complement dysregulation and is generally diagnosed by exclusion from other disorders of thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA). Eculizumab, a terminal complement inhibitor, has been approved for aHUS treatment since 2013 in Japan. Recently, a scoring system was published to support diagnosis of aHUS. Herein we modified this scoring system to apply it to patients diagnosed with aHUS and treated with eculizumab, and assessed the association between the score and clinical responses to eculizumab. Methods One hundred eighty-eight Japanese patients who were clinically diagnosed with aHUS, treated with eculizumab, and enrolled in post-marketing surveillance (PMS) were included in this analysis. Some of parameters in the original scoring system were replaced with clinically similar parameters collected in the PMS to modify the system, hereafter referred to as the TMA/aHUS score, which ranges from -15 to 20 points. Treatment responses within 90 days after eculizumab initiation were also assessed, and the relationship between treatment response and TMA/aHUS scores calculated at TMA onset was explored. Results The median (range) TMA/aHUS score was 10 (3–16). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the cutoff value of TMA/aHUS score to predict treatment response to eculizumab was estimated as 10, and negative predictive value indicated that ≥ 5 points was appropriate to consider assessing the treatment response to eculizumab; 185 (98%) patients had ≥ 5 points and 3 (2%) had

Introduction Soluble C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (sCLEC-2) is a new biomarker for platelet activation, which can be easily measured by usual blood collection. We conducted the CLECSTRO, a prospective, observational cohort study, to evaluate the clinical implications of sCLEC-2 in patients with acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) and transient ischaemic attack (TIA).Methods and analysis The participants are patients with AIS/TIA and control patients required for differentiation from AIS/TIA. The target population is 600, including the patients and controls, who would be recruited from eight stroke centres across Japan. The inclusion criteria are AIS within 24 hours of onset and a modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score of 0–2, TIA within 7 days of onset, and contemporary patients required for differentiation from AIS/TIA. Plasma sCLEC-2 will be measured by high-sensitive chemiluminescent enzyme immunoassay using residual blood samples from routine laboratory examinations at the first visit in all patients and 7 days later or at discharge in patients with AIS/TIA. The outcomes include plasma levels of sCLEC-2 in patients with AIS/TIA and controls, sCLEC-2/D-dimer ratio in non-cardioembolic and cardioembolic AIS/TIA, correlation of sCLEC-2 with recurrence or worsening of stroke, severity of stroke, infarct size, ABCD2 score in TIA and outcome (mRS) at 7 days and 3 months.Ethics and dissemination This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the University of Yamanashi as the central ethical committee in agreement with the ethical committees of all collaborative stroke centres. Informed consent will be obtained by an opt-out form from the patients at each stroke centre according to the Ethical Guidelines for Medical and Biological Research Involving Human Subjects by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.Trial registration numbers NCT05579405, UMIN000048954

Abstract Background Gut pathological microbial imbalance or dysbiosis is closely associated with colorectal cancer. Although there are observable differences in molecular and clinical characteristics between patients with right- and left-sided colon cancer, differences in their gut microbiomes have not been thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, subsequent changes in microbiota status after partial colectomy remain unknown. We examined the human gut microbiota composition to determine its relationship with colon cancer and partial colon resection according to location. Methods Stool samples from forty-one subjects (10 in the control group, 10 in the right-sided colon cancer [RCC] group, 6 in the sigmoid colon cancer [SCC] group, 9 in the right colon resection [RCR] group and 6 in the sigmoid colon resection [SCR] group) were collected, and DNA was extracted. After terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis, the samples were subjected to 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the metabolic function of the microbiota was predicted using PICRUSt2. Results T-RFLP analysis showed a reduced ratio of clostridial cluster XIVa in the SCC patients and clostridial cluster IX in the RCC patients, although these changes were not evident in the RCR or SCR patients. 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing demonstrated that the diversity of the gut microbiota in the RCC group was higher than that in the control group, and the diversity in the SCR group was significantly higher than that in the RCR group. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) revealed significant differences according to the group. Analyses of the microbiota revealed that Firmicutes was significantly dominant in the RCC group and that the SCC group had a higher abundance of Verrucomicrobia. At the genus level, linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) revealed several bacteria, such as Ruminococcaceae, Streptococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, Gemellaceae, and Desulfovibrio, in the RCC group and several oral microbiomes in the SCC group. Metabolic function prediction revealed that cholesterol transport- and metabolism-related enzymes were specifically upregulated in the RCC group and that cobalamin metabolism-related enzymes were downregulated in the SCC group. Conclusion Gut microbial properties differ between RCC and SCC patients and between right hemicolectomy and sigmoidectomy patients and may contribute to clinical manifestations.

We would like to thank Dr. Ishikura for his kind comment [...]

Abstract The case of an infantile cerebral cavernous malformation detected by transfontanelle cranial ultrasonography. Infantile cerebral cavernous malformations tend to cause more major bleeding compared to those in older groups, so early detection and treatment are crucial. Cranial ultrasonography can contribute to the early diagnosis of infantile cerebral cavernous malformations.

A few studies concerning hypercoagulable states have sufficiently been reported in patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI), as ACI is generally considered to be caused by platelet activation. Clot waveform analyses (CWA) for activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and small amount of tissue factor FIX activation assay (sTF/FIXa) were examined in 108 patients with ACI, 61 patients without ACI, and 20 healthy volunteers. CWA-APTT and CWA-sTF/FIXa showed that the peak heights were significantly higher in ACI patients without anticoagulant therapy than in healthy volunteers. Absorbance exceeding 78.1 mm on the 1 st DPH in the CWA-sTF/FIXa showed the highest odds ratio for ACI. The peak heights were significantly lower in the CWA-sTF/FIXa of ACI patients receiving argatroban therapy than in those of ACI patients without anticoagulant therapy. CWA can suggest a hypercoagulable state in ACI patients and may be useful for monitoring the need for anticoagulant therapy.

Abstract Background Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is not a homogeneous condition, but rather includes heterogeneous conditions, and its pathophysiology and outcome vary considerably depending on the background. Although anticoagulant therapy is expected to be of benefit in the treatment of DIC, previous studies have suggested that the benefits are limited only to a specific subtype. Objects The purpose of this study was to identify the group that would benefit from combination therapy using thrombomodulin/antithrombin. Methods The data from 2,839 patients registered in the postmarketing surveillance of thrombomodulin were evaluated. The patients were divided into four groups depending on antithrombin and fibrinogen levels, and the additive effects of antithrombin on thrombomodulin were examined in the groups. Results The DIC score, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and mortality were significantly higher in the DIC group with low-antithrombin/low-fibrinogen than in the DIC groups without either low antithrombin or low fibrinogen. The survival curve was significantly higher in DIC patients with combination therapy than in patients treated with thrombomodulin monotherapy, but this effect was seen only in patients with infection-based DIC. Conclusion DIC patients with low-antithrombin/low-fibrinogen risk poor outcomes, but they can be the target of combination therapy with antithrombin and thrombomodulin as long as the DIC is due to infection.

A bilayer thin-film transistor (TFT) structure with ZnO and Al-doped ZnO (AZO) was fabricated using a solution process. The film thickness and sintering atmosphere of ZnO and AZO were controlled and then evaluated by measuring their electrical characteristics. By changing the sintering atmosphere, carriers attributed to oxygen vacancies in the thin film increased. Moreover, the ZnO single-layer TFT sintered in N2 exhibited good electrical characteristics. In the ZnO/AZO bilayer TFT laminated with the ZnO sintered in N2 and high-resistance AZO thin films, electrical characteristics, such as the On/Off ratio and subthreshold swing, improved compared to those of the ZnO-TFT. The On/Off ratio of the ZnO/AZO-TFT using the AZO thin film sintered in an O2 atmosphere notably improved to 3.7 × 105 compared to that of the ZnO-TFT (1.7 × 104). In addition, the subthreshold swing in the ZnO/AZO-TFT was 0.36 V/dec, while the field-effect mobility was 2.2 × 10−1 cm2/Vs, thereby exhibiting the best electrical characteristics among the fabricated samples. According to the grazing-incidence X-ray diffraction measurement, the ZnO particle size and crystallinity of the ZnO/AZO bilayer were higher than those of the ZnO single layer. Therefore, improvement of the electrical characteristics was confirmed.

The scoring systems for disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) criteria require several adequate cutoff values, vary, and are complicated. Accordingly, a simpler and quicker diagnostic method for DIC is needed. Under such circumstances, soluble C-type lectin-like receptor 2 (sCLEC-2) received attention as a biomarker for platelet activation. Materials and Methods: The diagnostic usefulness of sCLEC-2 and several formulas, including sCLEC-2xD-dimer, sCLEC-2/platelet count (sCLEC-2/PLT), and sCLEC-2/PLT × D-dimer (sCLEC-2xD-dimer/PLT), were evaluated among 38 patients with DIC, 39 patients with pre-DIC and 222 patients without DIC or pre-DIC (non-DIC). Results: Although the plasma level of sCLEC-2 alone was not a strong biomarker for the diagnosis of DIC or pre-DIC, the sCLEC-2xD-dimer/PLT values in patients with DIC were significantly higher than those in patients without DIC, and in a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis for the diagnosis of DIC, sCLEC-2xD-dimer/PLT showed the highest AUC, sensitivity, and odds ratio. This formula is useful for the diagnosis of both pre-DIC and DIC. sCLEC-2xD-dimer/PLT values were significantly higher in non-survivors than in survivors. Conclusion: The sCLEC-2xD-dimer/PLT formula is simple, easy, and highly useful for the diagnosis of DIC and pre-DIC without the use of a scoring system.

Abstract Background In patients with infectious diseases, disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is often diagnosed without the fibrinogen value. The relationship between hypofibrinogenemia and outcomes of DIC in infectious diseases has thus remained unclear. Methods We analyzed 3204 patients who received with thrombomodulin alfa (TM-α) for DIC and suspected DIC. Hypofibrinogenemia was defined by a fibrinogen level

Abstract Background Although disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is life-threatening, any organ failure associated with DIC resolution and outcomes have been unclear. Patients and methods A total of 2795 DIC patients (infection: 1990, hematological malignancy: 805) were analyzed in the post-marketing surveillance of thrombomodulin alpha (TM-α). The background factors of sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) and antithrombin (AT) were investigated in DIC with infectious disease for their association with DIC resolution and outcome using κ statistics, indicating DIC resolution and survival or DIC non-resolution and non-survival. The same analyses were performed for total bilirubin, creatinine, lactate dehydrogenase, and underlying disease in DIC with hematological malignancy. Results In DIC with infectious disease, higher SOFA score severity was closely correlated with lower overall survival in both the DIC resolution and non-resolution groups, but AT activity was not. κ coefficients were 0.234, 0.295, and 0.311 for the SOFA score 0–6, 7–12, and 13–24 groups, respectively. In DIC with hematological malignancy, κ coefficients of total bilirubin were 0.251 and 0.434, and those of creatinine were 0.283 and 0.437 in the normal and abnormal groups, respectively, showing better concordance in the abnormal group than in the normal. Other factors had poor concordance. Conclusion In DIC with infectious disease, DIC resolution is an important therapeutic target in patients who have higher SOFA score severity. In DIC with hematological malignancy, DIC resolution is similarly important in patients with abnormality of bilirubin and/or creatinine. Trial registration The clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with DIC treated with TM-α between May 2008 and April 2010 were retrospectively analyzed by subgroup analysis of the post-marketing surveillance data.

Introduction Although D-dimer is a useful biomarker of thrombosis, there are many D-dimer kits, with high and low fibrinogen and fibrin degradation products (FDP)/ D-dimer ratios. Methods Plasma D-dimer levels were measured using three different kits in critically ill patients to examine the usefulness of such measurements for detecting the thrombotic diseases and determining the correlation with the FDP and FDP/D-dimer ratio. Results Although three D-dimer kits showed marked utility for diagnosing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and peripheral arterial and venous thromboembolism (PAVTE), the D-dimer levels determined using the three kits varied among diseases. Indeed, one D-dimer kit showed a high FDP/D-dimer ratio, and another kit showed a low FDP/D-dimer ratio. D-dimer kit with low FDP/D-dimer ratio tended to have high cut-off values and low specificity for diagnosing DIC and PAVTE. In D-dimer kit with high FDP/D-dimer ratio, FDP/D-dimer ratios in patients with thrombosis was significantly higher than that in patients without thrombosis. Conclusion All three D-dimer kits show utility for detecting thrombotic diseases. However, the D-dimer levels determined using the kits varied due to differences in the FDP/D-dimer ratio. In combination with the FDP level, a D-dimer kit with a high FDP/D-dimer ratio may be useful.

Background Hemodialysis patients who undergo surgery have a high risk of postoperative complications. The aim of this study was to determine whether colon cancer surgery can be safely performed in hemodialysis patients. Methods This multicenter retrospective study included 1372 patients who underwent elective curative resection surgery for colon cancer between April 2016 and March 2020. Results Of the total patients, 19 (1.4%) underwent hemodialysis, of whom 19 (100%) had poor performance status and 18 had comorbidities (94.7%). Minimally invasive surgery was performed in 78.9% of hemodialysis patients. The postoperative complication rate was significantly higher in hemodialysis than non-hemodialysis patients (36.8% vs. 15.5%, p = 0.009). All postoperative complications in the hemodialysis patients were infectious type. Multivariate analysis revealed a significant association of hemodialysis with complications (odds ratio, 2.9362; 95%CI, 1.1384–7.5730; p = 0.026). Conclusion Despite recent advances in perioperative management and minimally invasive surgery, it is necessary to be aware that short-term complications can still occur, especially infectious complications in hemodialysis patients.

The aims of this study were to analyze the clinical features of a large number of cases with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with acute leukemia and to assess the safety and efficacy of thrombomodulin alfa (TM-α) using the French-American-British (FAB) classification of hematological malignancies. We retrospectively examined 644 patients with acute leukemia in postmarketing surveillance for TM-α. M3, M2, M4, M1, and M5 subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and L2 and L1 subtypes of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) have been found more frequently among patients with DIC. Bleeding symptoms at baseline were more frequent in M3 and M7 subtypes. Fibrinogen concentrations were lower, and plasmin-plasmin inhibitor complex values were higher in M3 and Philadelphia-positive (Ph+) ALL. Overall DIC resolution rate was 60.2%, higher in L1 and Ph+ ALL, lower in M1, and generally higher in ALL than in AML. Overall survival rate was generally high, at 79.8%, with higher rates in L3, Ph+ ALL, and M3. Regardless of FAB subgroup, TM-α showed improved bleeding symptoms and DIC scores in clinical practice for DIC patients with acute leukemia.

Background: Coagulation factor V (FV) inhibitor is a rare disease and few reviews of relevant literature on FV inhibitor have been reported. Methods: A PubMed search identified 1065 reports on factor V inhibitors, in which 150 patients met the criteria for inclusion in this review. Result: One hundred fifty cases with prolonged clotting times and FV inhibitor positivity were selected. The main underlying conditions were the postoperative state, infection, malignant neoplasm, and autoimmune disease; 18.4% showed an idiopathic onset. FV activity was ≤28％ in all FV inhibitors and major bleeding (MB) was observed in 48.7% of cases. There were no significant differences in MB or mortality among the underlying conditions. The main therapies for bleeding were fresh frozen plasma and platelet concentrate, and the main immunosuppressive therapies were prednisolone, cyclophosphamide and intravenous immunoglobulin. There were no differences in laboratory data between FV inhibitors with and without MB or between survivors and non-survivors. The mortality rate was 14.8% (23.3% in FV inhibitor with MB vs. 10.0% in FV inhibitor without MB; odds ratio 2.732) and the median survival period was 0.8 months. Conclusion: FV activity was ≤28% in all patients with FV inhibitor. While half of the patients did not have MB, the risk of dying was 2-fold higher in those with MB.

Abstract Background The usefulness of the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) waveform has been reported in hemophilia, acquired hemophilia and monitoring for anticoagulants. Material and methods The APTT waveform was examined in patients suspected of having disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) to analyze its usefulness for the diagnosis of DIC or the prediction of the outcome or bleeding risk. Results DIC with fibrinogen

Abstract Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a common complication in sepsis. Since DIC not only promotes organ dysfunction but also is a strong prognostic factor, its diagnosis at the earliest possible timing is important. Thrombocytopenia is often present in patients with DIC but can also occur in a number of other critical conditions. Of note, many of the rare thrombocytopenic diseases require prompt diagnoses and specific treatments. To differentiate these diseases correctly, the phenotypic expressions must be considered and the different disease pathophysiologies must be understood. There are three major players in the background characteristics of thrombocytopenia: platelets, the coagulation system, and vascular endothelial cells. For example, the activation of coagulation is at the core of the pathogenesis of sepsis-associated DIC, while platelet aggregation is the essential mechanism in thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura and endothelial damage is the hallmark of hemolytic uremic syndrome. Though each of the three players is important in all thrombocytopenic diseases, one of the three dominant players typically establishes the individual features of each disease. In this review, we introduce the pathogeneses, symptoms, diagnostic measures, and recent therapeutic advances for the major diseases that should be immediately differentiated from DIC in sepsis.

We analyzed the utility for a clot waveform analysis (CWA) of small tissue factor induced FIX activation (sTF/FIXa) assay in patients with major orthopedic surgery (including total hip arthroplasty [THA] and total knee arthroplasty [TKA]) receiving edoxaban for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). The sTF/FIXa assay using recombinant human TF in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet-poor plasma (PPP) was performed using a CWA in the above patients to monitor the efficacy of edoxaban administration. Of 147 patients (109 THA and 38 TKA), 21 exhibited deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and 15 had massive bleeding. Increased peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIX were observed in almost patients after surgery and prolonged peak heights of the CWA-sTF/FIX were observed in almost patients treated with edoxaban. The peak heights and times of the CWA-sTF/FIX were significantly higher and shorter, respectively, in PRP than in PPP. There were no significant differences in parameters of the CWA-sTF/FIXa between the patients with and without DVT or between those with and without massive bleeding. The peak time of CWA-sTF/FIXa were significantly longer in TKA patients than in THA patients on day 1 after surgery. The second derivative peak height of the CWA-sTF/FIXa was significantly lower in TKA patients than in THA patients on day 4. The CWA-sTF/FIX reflected hemostatic abnormalities after surgery and the administration of edoxaban, and the results were better in PRP than PPP. Further studies separately analyzing the THA and TKA subgroups should be conducted.

The FVIII activity in patients treated with several extended half-life FVIII (EHL-FVIII) agents different when various activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) reagents were used. The present study examined the difference in clot waveform analysis (CWA) findings and FVIII activity when various APTT reagents and CWA were used. The CWA including FVIII activity was measured using 12 APTT reagents, and the FIX activation based on a small amount of tissue factor assay (sTF/FIX) were examined in reference plasma (RP), EHL-FVIII (Jivi ® ) and Kovaltry ® . The 3 APTT reagents were associated with high variation in the peak time and height in the CWA when analyzing low concentrations of FVIII. The peak time and height could not be measured with one APTT reagent, and there were marked differences in the CWA findings between Jivi ® and Kovaltry ® among APTT reagents. Several APTT reagents showed a markedly lower FVIII activity with Jivi ® than with Kovaltry ® . In the FVIII assay, the peak time measured with sTF/FIX did not differ markedly between Jivi ® and Kovaltry ® ; however, the FVIII activity in Jivi ® (as measured by the peak height) tended to be higher than in Kovaltry ® . The CWA findings for monitoring Jivi ® varied for monitoring Jivi ® depending on the APTT reagents used, and sTF/FIX assay may be able to measure the EHL-FVIII.

D-dimer is a biomarker of thrombosis and recently been considered to predict a poor outcome in patients with infectious diseases. Plasma D-dimer levels were measured in critically ill patients to examine their relationship with the poor outcome. The plasma D-dimer levels were markedly higher in the patients with various underlying disease especially venous thromboembolism in comparison to those without severe underlying diseases. The plasma D-dimer levels in non-survivors were significantly higher than those in survivors. In a receiver operating characteristic analysis, the area under the curve was high for the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) score, the D-dimer value, and the prothrombin time-international normalize ratio (PT-INR). Adequate cut-off values for predicting the outcome were 3 as follows: DIC score, 3 points; D-dimer, 4.2 mg/L; and PT-INR, 1.08. D-dimer, which is a biomarker for thrombosis, is increased in various underlying diseases and predicts a poor outcome.

Objective: Although the definitive diagnosis of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) depends on a genetic analysis for the complement factors, such a genetic analysis is time-consuming and expensive. We examined the usefulness of a diagnostic scoring system for aHUS. Methods: The thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) scoring system consists of hemoglobin, the platelet count, creatinine levels and organ failure, and the aHUS scoring system consists of past history and family history of TMA, age at onset, prodromal symptoms and “red or brownish urine”, and these scoring system were both evaluated in patients with aHUS, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura or secondary TMA. Results: In a receiver operating characteristics analysis, an adequate cut-off value for diagnosing aHUS, TTP, other TMA or all TMA versus patients without TMA was 7 points for both TMA screening scores. The area under the curve was 0.965 for the TMA screening score and 0.966 for the aHUS score. An adequate cut-off value for diagnosing aHUS was 2 points for a positive aHUS score, - 3 points for an exclusion aHUS score and 0 points for the total aHUS score. Conclusion: The TMA screening and aHUS score systems are useful for making a diagnosis of aHUS without performing specific laboratory tests.

The frequency of severe antithrombin deficiency (SAD) was examined in the hematopoietic disorder-, infectious-, and basic-types of the disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A posthoc analysis of 3008 DIC patients (infectious-type, 1794; hematological disorder-type, 813; and basic-type, 401) from post-marketing surveillance data of thrombomodulin alfa was performed. The clinical features of patients and outcomes were compared between patients with and without SAD, using an antithrombin cutoff value of 50%. Patients with SAD accounted for 40.4% of infectious-type DIC, 8.0% of hematopoietic disorder-type DIC, and 26.7% of basic-type DIC. There was no significant difference in thrombin–antithrombin complex levels between patients with and without SAD. The decreased fibrinogen level and differences in clinical features were significantly greater but the increases in fibrinolytic markers were significantly lower in patients with SAD than in those without. The 28-day survival rate was significantly lower in patients with SAD than in those without. Severe antithrombin deficiency was observed in all types of DIC, including hematopoietic disorders. Both hypofibrinolysis and hypercoagulability in patients with SAD may cause multiple organ failure and poor outcomes.

The activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT)–clot waveform analysis (CWA) was previously reported to be associated with the early detection of disseminated intravascular coagulation and was also reported to be able to measure very low levels of coagulation factor VIII activity. The software program for the analysis for the APTT-CWA allows the associated first and second derivative curves (first and second DCs) to be displayed. The first and second DC reflect the velocity and acceleration, respectively. The height of the first DC reflects the “thrombin burst” and bleeding risk, while that of the second DC is useful for detecting any coagulation factor deficiency and abnormal enhancement of coagulation by phospholipids. Activated partial thromboplastin time-CWA aids in making a differential diagnosis which is difficult to do using only the routine APTT. The CWA is currently used for many applications in the clinical setting, including the monitoring of hemophilia patients and patients receiving anticoagulant therapy and the differential diagnosis of diseases.

Abstract Introduction Both disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) cause microvascular thrombosis associated with thrombocytopenia, bleeding tendency and organ failure. Reports and discussion The frequency of DIC is higher than that of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Many patients with TMA are diagnosed with DIC, but only about 15% of DIC patients are diagnosed with TMA. Hyperfibrinolysis is observed in most patients with DIC, and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia is observed in most patients with TMA. Markedly decreased ADAMTS13 activity, the presence of Shiga-toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) and abnormality of the complement system are useful for the diagnosis of TTP, STEC-hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS)and atypical HUS, respectively. However, there are no specific biomarkers for the diagnosis of DIC. Conclusion Although DIC and TMA are similar appearances, all coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet systems are activated in DIC, and only platelets are markedly activated in TMA.

Abstract Background Measurement of edoxaban plasma concentration has been gathering attention in major orthopedic surgery patients receiving edoxaban for the prevention of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Methods The anti-Xa activity was measured one hour after edoxaban intake using 3 different assays in 200 patients after major orthopedic surgery. Results The anti-Xa activities on Day 8 were significantly higher than those on Day 4 and those on Day 4 were significantly higher than those on Day 1. The anti-Xa activities in two assays closely correlated with each other, but the other anti-Xa assay did not correlated with other two assays. The anti-Xa activities as detected in the three Xa assays were significantly higher in the patients without deep vein thrombosis (DVT) than in those with DVT on Day 4. Additionally, there were no significant differences in the anti-Xa activities of assays A, B and C between patients with and without massive bleeding (MB) on Days 1, 4, 8 and 15. Conclusion The results of this study suggest that anti-Xa level could be predictive of the risk of VTE, but not of the risk of massive bleeding.

The primary end point for sepsis trial is 28-day mortality. However, additional methods for determining the efficacy may have benefits. The purpose of this study was to search a useful indicator of anticoagulant therapy in patients with sepsis with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). Data from 323 patients with sepsis with coagulopathy treated with antithrombin supplementation were analyzed. The changes in the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (Δ SOFA) score, the overt-DIC (Δ overt-DIC) score, and the Japanese Society for Acute Medicine DIC (Δ JAAM DIC) score from baseline to day 7 were retrospectively analyzed in relation to the 28-day mortality. Significant correlations were found between the 28-day mortality and Δ SOFA, Δ overt-DIC score, and Δ JAAM DIC score. The accuracy of the prediction was higher for Δ SOFA (80.5%) than for Δ overt-DIC (66.7%, P < .001). The areas under the curve for mortality calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis were 0.812 for Δ SOFA, 0.655 for Δ overt-DIC, and 0.693 for Δ JAAM DIC. The mortality rate was significantly lower among cases with an improved SOFA score compared to those without an improvement. The Δ SOFA had the strongest association with the 28-day mortality in patients with sepsis and DIC.

Abstract As proposed diagnostic criteria for DIC from the Japanese Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis has been approved and revised, the contents and changes are informed.

The patient was an 82-year-old woman who visited her previous physician for abdominal pain and was urgently admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of ischemic enteritis. The next day, her abdominal pain increased, and she was transferred to our hospital. When she came to our hospital, her vital signs were stable and tenderness with muscular defense was observed in the entire abdomen. The contrast-enhanced CT scan of the abdomen by the previous physician showed that poor contrast enhancement in the entire colon, and no thrombus in the mesenteric vessels was noted. A diagnosis of ischemic colitis with necrosis of the entire colon was made, and emergency surgery was performed. The abdomen was opened through a median incision, and necrosis of the ascending colon to the sigmoid colon was observed. Total colon resection was performed, and a single-hole ileostomy was constructed. The patient was discharged home 38 days postoperatively. Necrotic ischemic colitis is infrequent, and necrosis of the entire colon has a high mortality rate and a poor prognosis. The survival rate is significantly reduced after 24 hours from the onset of the disease, and so surgery should be performed as soon as possible if the disease is suspected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clot waveform analysis (CWA) observes changes in transparency in a plasma sample based on clotting tests such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), and thrombin time (TT). Evidence indicates that not only an abnormal waveform but also peak times and heights in derivative curves of CWA are useful for the evaluation of hemostatic abnormalities. Modified CWA, including the PT with APTT reagent, dilute PT (small amount of tissue factor [TF]-induced clotting factor IX [FIX] activation; sTF/FIXa), and dilute TT, has been proposed to evaluate physiological or pathological hemostasis. We review routine and modified CWA and their clinical applications. In CWA-sTF/FIXa, elevated peak heights indicate hypercoagulability in patients with cancer or thrombosis, whereas prolonged peak times indicate hypocoagulability in several conditions, including clotting factor deficiency and thrombocytopenia. CWA-dilute TT reflects the thrombin burst, whereas clot-fibrinolysis waveform analysis reflects both hemostasis and fibrinolysis. The relevance and usefulness of CWA-APTT and modified CWA should be further investigated in various diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]