There is limited guidance available to clinicians regarding the management of antithrombotic therapy during epistaxis, whilst there has been an increase in the use of anticoagulation and antiplatelet therapy. In addition, the introduction of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as dabigatran and rivaroxaban, over the last decade has significantly increased the complexity of managing the anticoagulated epistaxis patient. We undertook a systemic literature review investigating potential management strategies for each class of anti-thrombotic therapy during epistaxis. A PubMED and Cochrane Library search was performed on 10/03/16 using, but not limited to, the search terms epistaxis, nosebleed, nose bleeding, nasal haemorrhage, nasal bleeding AND each of the following search terms: antithrombotic, anticoagulant, antiplatelet, aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, apixaban and tranexamic acid. This yielded 3815 results, of which 29 were considered relevant. Other sources such as national and international guidelines related to the management of anti-thrombotics were also utilised. We present the findings related to the management of each class of anti-thrombotic therapy during epistaxis. Overall we found a lack of evidence regarding this topic and further high quality research is needed. This is an area growing in complexity and the support of colleagues in Haematology and Cardiology is increasingly important.

INTRODUCTION:

The use of oral anticoagulant therapy is increasing in children. Managing anticoagulant therapy in children presents unique challenges, including poor venous access. The advent of point-of-care (POC) monitoring of anticoagulant therapy offers a potential solution to this challenge. This paper reviews the published literature relating to POC monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy in children.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

A Medline search was conducted and identified key publications. Papers were reviewed with respect to their objectives, populations and POC device investigated. Study limitations were identified.

RESULTS:

Five publications and one abstract were identified, reporting studies using five different POC monitors. Three studies had a strong clinical management focus. Outcome measures assessed included target therapeutic range achievement and frequency of adverse events. Correlation between POC and laboratory-based results ranged from 0.83 to 0.96. Home monitoring and self-management using POC monitors were both reported to be preferred compared to standard laboratory testing.

CONCLUSIONS:

POC monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy in children offers considerable advantages. The reviewed literature would suggest such monitoring can be performed accurately and reliably. The impact of quality control issues, such as calibration of thromboplastin ISI in POC devices, has not been explored in a paediatric population. Further studies are needed to clarify such issues and confirm the safety, reliability and efficacy of POC monitoring of oral anticoagulant therapy in children, including its home monitoring and self-management programs.

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OBJECTIVE:

To present an approach, based on current evidence, for the diagnosis, treatment, and thromboprophylaxis of venous thromboembolism in pregnancy and postpartum.

EVIDENCE:

Published literature was retrieved through searches of PubMed, Medline, CINAHL, and The Cochrane Library from November 2011 to July 2013 using appropriate controlled vocabulary (e.g. pregnancy, venous thromboembolism, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, pulmonary thrombosis) and key words (e.g., maternal morbidity, pregnancy complications, thromboprophylaxis, antithrombotic therapy). Results were restricted to systematic reviews, randomized control trials/controlled clinical trials, and observational studies published in English or French. There were no date restrictions. Grey (unpublished) literature was identified through searching the websites of clinical practice guideline collections, clinical trial registries, and national and international medical specialty societies.

VALUES:

The quality of evidence in this document was rated using the criteria described in the Report of the Canadian Task Force on Preventative Health Care (Table 1).

While antithrombotics are usually administered intravenously, subcutaneously or orally, there are a number of publications reporting topical application of anticoagulation therapy. This paper aims to review the available literature regarding clinical conditions, the details of the topical antithrombotic treatment, as well as positive or adverse effects in an attempt to ascertain the safety and efficacy of this form of treatment. Published literature was searched to identify publications reporting the use of antithrombotic treatments administered via topical application between 1st January 1990 and 1st January 2013. There were 43 studies reported in 10 different clinical conditions. Majority of the studies were randomized controlled trials (51.2%), prospective studies (18.6%) or case reports (11.6%). The clinical conditions in which topical antithrombotics were administered included: microangiopathy, acute haemorrhoids, periodontitis, dermatitis, burns, ocular conditions and surgery, blunt force impact, scars, as well as clinical conditions associated with superficial venous thrombosis (SVT). The most commonly used topical antithrombotic was heparin (79.1% of studies). The respective dosage of different antithrombotics varied depending on specific clinical conditions. While most studies reported mean improvements or resolution of symptoms/condition in patients, the patient outcomes were variable. This review demonstrates that topical antithrombotic treatment is used according to a wide variety of protocols, with a subsequent variability in patient outcomes. Specific guidelines for the use of topical antithrombotics should be developed to standardize this form of treatment and ensure the best possible outcomes for patients.

CONTEXT:

Patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) bear a substantial risk for vascular events in the coronary, cerebral and peripheral circulations. In addition, this disorder is associated with a systemic milieu characterised by ongoing platelet activation and heightened thrombogenesis.

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the optimal antithrombotic prophylaxis for patients with PAD.

DATA SOURCES:

Using terms related to PAD and antithrombotic agents, we searched the following databases for relevant articles: MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Database, Web of Science, and the International Pharmaceutical Abstracts Database (search dates: 1 January 1990 to 1 January 2007). Additional articles were identified from cardiovascular and vascular surgery conference proceedings, bibliographies of review articles, and personal files.

STUDY SELECTION:

We focused on randomised trials, systematic reviews and consensus guidelines of antithrombotic therapies for PAD.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Detailed study information was abstracted by each author working independently.

RESULTS:

Multiple studies show that patients with PAD manifest platelet hyperaggregability, increased levels of soluble platelet activation markers, enhanced thrombin generation and altered fibrinolytic potential. Many of these markers predict subsequent cardiovascular events. Available randomised trials and meta-analyses show that most available antithrombotic agents prevent major cardiovascular events and death in patients with PAD, including aspirin, aspirin/dipyridamole, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, picotamide and oral anticoagulants.

CONCLUSIONS:

Although the most favourable risk-benefit profile, cost-effectiveness and overall evidence base supports aspirin in this setting, we provide scenarios in which alternatives to aspirin should be considered.

Increasing number of patients presenting for ophthalmic surgery are using oral anti-coagulant and anti-platelet therapy. The current practice of discontinuing these drugs preoperatively because of a presumed increased risk of bleeding may not be evidence-based and could pose a significant risk to the patient's health. To provide an evidence-based review on the peri-operative management of ophthalmic patients who are taking anti-thrombotic therapy. In addition, we briefly discuss the underlying conditions that necessitate the use of these drugs as well as management of the operative field in anti-coagulated patients. A semi-systematic review of literature was performed. The databases searched included MEDLINE, EMBASE, database of abstracts of reviews of effects (DARE), Cochrane controlled trial register and Cochrane systematic reviews. In addition, the bibliographies of the included papers were also scanned for evidence. The published data suggests that aspirin did not appear to increase the risk of serious postoperative bleeding in any type of ophthalmic surgery. Topical, sub-tenon, peri-bulbar and retrobulbar anaesthesia appear to be safe in patients on anti-thrombotic (warfarin and aspirin) therapy. Warfarin does not increase the risk of significant bleeding in most types of ophthalmic surgery when the INR was within the therapeutic range. Current evidence supports the continued use of aspirin and with some exceptions, warfarin in the peri-operative period. The risk of thrombosis-related complications on disruption of anticoagulation may be higher than the risk of significant bleeding by continuing its use for most types of ophthalmic surgery.

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The use of antithrombotic medicines in patients who have a history of intracerebral haemorrhage is widely perceived as being contraindicated. However, many patients with intracerebral haemorrhage may suffer from conditions for which antithrombotic medicines are indicated. Such scenarios represent a therapeutic dilemma whereby treating infers an increased risk of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage, but not treating infers an increase of thrombotic complications. Despite the importance of this dilemma, there is very little guidance for prescribers. This perspective review considered previous systematic reviews that addressed this issue, together with recently published research findings from the Tayside Stroke Cohort. Systematic reviews of experimental and observational studies have concluded that there is a marked lack of data on which to judge the safety of oral anticoagulant agents following intracerebral haemorrhage. In addition, the limited data available regarding the use of antiplatelet medicines following intracerebral haemorrhage provide no evidence that they are harmful, and again further data are required. In the absence of such data, a decision analysis approach has been proposed. This considers the findings of other studies to infer the likely impact of using antithrombotic agents in patients with intracerebral haemorrhage. The success of this approach is contingent on the availability of reliable data that describe the rate of recurrent intracerebral haemorrhage; however, published data on this varies widely. There are a number of factors that conspire against researchers addressing this issue. The current paucity of evidence to guide prescribers faced with this therapeutic dilemma seems likely to remain for some time.

The life expectancy of the general population is increasing. This has meant that more elderly patients are requiring aortic valve replacement (AVR). The choice of valve replacement and its durability are important. Bioprosthetic (tissue) heart valves were introduced into clinical use in the 1960s and were developed primarily to reduce the complications associated with thromboembolism (TE) and the need for lifelong oral anticoagulation, due to their low thrombogenicity compared to mechanical prostheses. This makes them suitable for use in elderly patients (aged>65 years) and in others where the risks of anticoagulation are higher or anticoagulation is contraindicated. There is thought to be a higher risk of TE for up to 90 days following bioprosthetic AVR. Guidelines for the management of patients with valvular heart disease published by the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA), the American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP) and the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) all recommend the use of an anticoagulation regimen for the first 3 months following bioprosthetic AVR. However, there is division of opinion and practice, despite these recommendations, and more recent studies have not supported the evidence for these guidelines. In this article, we review the literature on the use of anticoagulation in the first 90 days following bioprosthetic AVR.