Anticoagulant
Anticoagulants may reduce VTE risk in children
Increasing vitamin K intake may stabilize anticoagulation in patients using warfarin
Among patients with thromboembolic disease treated with warfarin, increased consumption of foods containing vitamin K may improve anticoagulant stability, according to findings presented at the American Society for Nutrition Annual Nutrition Science Meeting.
Venous thromboembolism guidelines aim to clarify proper care in areas with ‘a lot of uncertainty’
Venous thromboembolism — which includes deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism — causes up to 100,000 deaths annually in the United States and affects patients in numerous health care settings, regardless of age.
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Loeffler's Endocarditis
Loeffler’s endocarditis (a.k.a. Davies disease or endomyocardial fibrosis) occurs from any disorder that elevates the eosinophil count such as parasitic infections.
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CHADS 2 Score
The CHADS 2 score is a system used to predict the risk of thromboembolic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation helping to guide to use of anticoagulation to prevent stroke.
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Warfarin
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that acts by inhibiting the enzyme that recycles vitamin K from its oxidized form resulting in active vitamin K depletion.
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Low Molecular Weight Heparin (LMWH)
Low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) is an anticoagulant injected subcutaneously or intravenously and acts via activation of antithrombin III which in turn inactivates thrombin and factor Xa to produce its effect.
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Bivalirudin
Bivalirudin (Angiomax) is a direct thrombin inhibitor used as an anticoagulant to treat acute coronary syndromes. Administration is intravenous only and it has a short half-life of 25 minutes.
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General Cardiology Pearls
Platypnea is shortness of breath that occurs when standing or sitting up and is relieved while laying supine (opposite of orthopnea).