Thrombodynamics, a new global coagulation test: Measurement of heparin efficiency

The actual coagulation status may be reliably measured using only highly sensitive global functional tests; however, they are not numerous and all of them have disadvantages. Thrombodynamics (TD), a novel global coagulation test, is sensitive to hypo- and hypercoagulable states. The main properties of this test were investigated, and its capabilities for hemostasis analysis were verified through pharmacodynamic monitoring of the most widely used anticoagulants, heparins. The anticoagulant effects in the plasma of donors (n = 20) and patients after hip replacement (n = 20) spiked with unfractionated heparin or enoxaparin were measured in vitro to eliminate the influence of pharmacokinetic factors. Sensitivity for heparins was compared for activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin generation tests and TD. TD was shown to reliably characterize the pharmacodynamics of any heparin in the entire range of its prophylactic and therapeutic concentrations. Inter-individual variability for the anticoagulant action of heparins was also calculated using the TD data. This variability did not differ between the investigated groups and did not exceed 12% and 20% for the stationary clot growth rate in the presence of unfractionated heparin and enoxaparin, respectively. That finding was in accordance with the values determined earlier using the thrombin generation test. The study results showed that TD has advantages over the other global methods of coagulation analysis. These advantages are good standardization, high reproducibility, independence of the parameter values from patient age and gender, and a narrower parameter distribution in a normal population. These results indicate that TD is a promising universal assessment method that improves the quality of hemostasis analysis because it more reliably detects deviations from the parameters' reference values.

[Minimally invasive methods for the treatment of the recurrent varicosis]

The experience of 193 cases of recurrent variceal disease (RVD) was summarized. Major reasons of recurrences after surgery were analyzed. Traditional and miniinvasive RVD treatment approaches are listed and its efficacy was thoroughly analyzed. Thus, endovasal laser coagulation and phleboscleroobliteration of insufficient communicant veins were effective in 85% and 65% of RVD, respectively. Possibilities of cryophleboextraction as well as apparate phlebectomy with transillumination were described.

[Endovascular laser ablation with wavelength 1,560 nm for varicose veins]

In 2002 - 2008 more than 1000 patients with lower limb varicose veins were treated with endovenous laser coagulation (EVLC) of subcutaneous and perforating veins in the Therapeutic Rehabilitation Center. Usually we used laser wavelength between 915 and 980 nm; but recently 1,560-nm laser, which physical properties are quite different, was used for 43 patients, including 49 EVLCs for great (GSV) and lesser (LSV) saphenous veins and 15 EVLCs for perforating veins (PV). Interventional technique was similar to previously used. Postoperative period for 1,560-nm laser ablations was characterized by earlier resolution of mild pain syndrome, more than twice less ecchymosis, and pain absence along the coagulated veins. These resulted of obliteration. in the decrease of postcoagulative period severity, thus enabling patients to ambulate earlier. No complications occurred. Ultrasonic picture of 1,560-nm laser coagulation showed uniform wall thickening, intimal induration and circular narrowing of venous lumen. Histological examination of GSV revealed significant thickening of venous wall due to edema and circular shrinkage, focal necrobiosis and caryolysis. Twenty three patients (who underwent total 35 EVLCs for GSV, LSV and PV) were followed up for 4-6.5 months. In all cases treated veins were completely obliterated; no segments with preserved blood flow and pathological refluxes were revealed. In conclusion, EVLC with wavelength that is actively adsorbed by water is characterized by mild postoperative period and higher efficacy of obliteration.