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S Coccheri

Publications and source records attributed to S Coccheri.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Acute and chronic effects of a new low molecular weight dermatan sulphate (Desmin 370) on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis in healthy subjects.

The acute and chronic effects on blood coagulation and fibrinolysis of a new molecular weight dermatan sulphate (Desmin 370) have been investigated in a double blind, placebo-controlled cross over study in 12 healthy volunteers. The compound (100 and 200 mg) was injected IM and the expected heparin cofactor II potentiating effect, reflecting dermatan sulphate activity, peaked after 2 h and was still detectable after 9 h. Surprisingly for this type of compound, a substantial increase in anti-Xa activity also appeared and lasted up to 12 h in the absence of a significant change in aPTT. The bovine-thrombin time was not changed, while human-thrombin times were slightly, albeit non-significantly, prolonged. The activity of t-PA was increased 6h after the higher dose, but the overall pattern of fibrinolytic activities did not suggest any important change after drug treatment in comparison to placebo. No residual or cumulative effect on any of the investigated parameters was detectable 24 h after the injection on the 4th and 8th days during repeated daily administration. Parallel in vitro and in vivo investigations showed that the unexpected anti-Xa effect was not attributable to contamination by traces of low molecular weight heparin. Desmin 370, a low molecular weight dermatan sulphate that potentiates heparin cofactor II and also inhibits Factor Xa, deserves clinical evaluation as an antithrombotic agent.

Adolescent

[Prevention and treatment of deep venous thrombosis: prevention of pulmonary embolism].

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), if not properly treated, may be complicated by pulmonary embolism in about 50% of the cases within 3 months. Therefore, effective prevention of pulmonary embolism relies on three cornerstones: correct prophylaxis, early diagnosis, and correct treatment of DVT. In prophylaxis of DVT, low-dose heparin is effective in preventing postoperatory DVT and pulmonary embolism in medium risk operations, and also in "medical" DVT. In high risk operations and patients, personalized low-dose heparin, oral anticoagulants and especially low-molecular weight heparins have been used. The available controlled trials demonstrate that the low-molecular weight heparins are especially efficacious and also cost-effective in high risk situations as elective hip surgery. Validated techniques for early diagnosis of DVT are phlebography and, in symptomatic proximal DVT, also venous echotomography. Therapy of overt DVT is usually performed with infusional or subcutaneous heparin at therapeutic doses, followed by moderate range oral anticoagulants. In the initial treatment, low-molecular weight heparins at single subcutaneous daily dosing can substitute for standard heparin. Indication to thrombolytic therapy should be restricted to selected cases; thrombectomy has limited application. Caval filters may be useful in strictly selected indications, especially in presence of contraindications or resistance to anticoagulant treatments.

Anticoagulants

Activation of blood coagulation after abrupt or stepwise withdrawal of oral anticoagulants--a prospective study.

The occurrence of a "rebound hypercoagulable state" in patients after dicontinuation of oral anticoagulants is still a matter of debate and no definite recommendation can be made on the best procedure for anticoagulant withdrawal. The present study investigated the changes in the levels of markers of activated blood coagulation in 32 patients (pts) in whom warfarin treatment (for venous thromboembolic disease) was randomly withdrawn abruptly (n = 17, group A) or gradually (n = 15, group B: 2/3 of initial dose the 1st week, 1/3 the 2nd weeks and nothing from the 3rd week on). Blood was sampled at baseline, once a week for the first three weeks and after 2 months. At the 1st week group A had significantly higher F1+2 and TAT values (p < 0.001); at the 2nd week F1+2 levels remained higher (p < 0.05) though INR values were not different from those of group B. After baseline, higher than normal F1+2 levels were recorded in 32/66 (48%) controls in group A vs 15/60 (25%) in group B (p < 0.01); at the 2nd week, 10/17 (59%) patients in group A vs 1/15 (7%) in group B still had higher than normal F1+2 levels (p < 0.01). The values of areas under curve (AUC) and maximum concentrations of all variables were not statistically different in the two groups; however, very high levels were observed in a few cases of group A. Thrombotic events (one DVT recurrence and one thrombophlebitis in a varicose vein) occurred in 2 pts of group A, both with high F1+2 and TAT AUC values.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult

Protease activities, as well as plasminogen activators, contribute to the "lytic" state during orthotopic liver transplantation.

High levels of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) have been reported to be the main component of the high fibrinolytic activity measured in patients during orthotopic liver transplantation. However, a previous study of our group suggested that specific t-PA may not completely account for the massive fibrinolytic activities recorded. In the present study we investigated the fibrinolytic patterns in 10 consecutive liver cirrhosis patients undergoing OLT. Euglobulin fibrinolytic activity, measured either on physiologic (fibrin plates) or amidolytic substrates, increased as expected during anhepatic and reperfusion phases, but largely exceeded the specific activity of t-PA, as proved by quenching procedures using anti-t-PA antibodies. The presence of plasmin- and trypsin-like amidolytic activities was detected in native plasmas at the end of anhepatic and reperfusion phases, together with decreased levels of protease inhibitors, especially alpha 1 Antitrypsin. In conclusion, the hyperfibrinolytic pattern recorded in the central OLT phases is not only attributable to an increased t-PA concentration, and is better described as a complex "lytic" state also including the presence of free proteases (plasmin- and trypsin-like), with limited participation of u-PA. Although t-PA increase is probably the main mechanism of stimulation of the fibrinolytic system during OLT, actual and not just potential proteolytic activities can be found in this condition independent of the occurrence of major hemorrhagic complications.

Adolescent

Study of a protein S gene polymorphism at DNA and mRNA level in a family with symptomatic protein S deficiency.

A protein S gene polymorphism, detectable by restriction analysis of amplified exonic sequences, was investigated in a family with members affected by protein S deficiency, deep vein thrombosis and ictus. The clinical laboratory findings as well as RFLP analysis were consistent with the presence of a type WP III protein S deficiency clearly marked by a polymorphic allele, thus enabling us to determine the carrier status in several subjects. The RFLP analysis, extended to platelet mRNA after reverse transcription and amplification, demonstrated that the mRNA produced by the putative defective gene was present in a subject affected by thrombosis.

Adult

Double-blind, randomized comparison of systemic continuous infusion of 0.25 versus 0.50 mg/kg/24 h of alteplase over 3 to 7 days for treatment of deep venous thrombosis in heparinized patients: results of the European Thrombolysis with rt-PA in Venous Thrombosis (ETTT) trial.

Thirty-two patients with acute, proximal-vein thrombosis were treated with heparin and alteplase (0.25 versus 0.5 mg/kg/24 h during 3-7 days) in a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, European (ETTT) trial. The treatment resulted in a decrease of the venographic Marder's score from 18 (6-25) to 13 (2-24) units (median, range) in Group I (0.25 mg/kg/24 h, n = 15, median decrease 3.0, p = 0.32) and from 17.5 (3-33) to 15.5 (0-27) in Group II (0.5 mg/kg/24 h, n = 16, median decrease 4.0, p = 0.23). Comparison of the sequential venograms could be performed in 14 cases of Group I and in 15 cases in Group II. A minority of patients showed substantial partial recanalization of the initially obstructed veins on the control venogram (one in each treatment group) and most of the control venograms showed either thrombus size reductions (5 in Group I, 7 in Group II) or no change or even deterioration (8 in Group I, 7 in Group II). Major bleedings were observed in 7 patients (7/32, 22%), 5 of them occurring in Group II (5/17, 29%). Thus, the results of the ETTT trial show that the used low dosages of alteplase administered intravenously over 3-7 days in heparinized patients cannot be recommended as a treatment for patients with deep venous thrombosis of lower limbs and/or pelvis. Further studies are needed to define a more suitable dosage regimen of alteplase in this indication.

Adolescent

An evaluation of several laboratory tests and test combinations in the detection of lupus anticoagulant.

The laboratory assessment of the lupus anticoagulant, a factor frequently associated with venous and arterial thrombosis, recurrent miscarriages and abortions, is not straightforward, as indicated by the variety of tests proposed and the different results obtained. On account of the marked variability and heterogeneity of lupus anticoagulant among patients, no single test or reagent will identify all patients with lupus anticoagulant, and a panel of several tests has to be used. This is time consuming and increases the workload of the laboratory. The aim of this study was to assess the minimum number of tests necessary for the satisfactory identification of the patient with lupus anticoagulant. Our study confirms that lupus anticoagulant may be present in a significant number of patients with normal routine activated partial thromboplastin time, a test which therefore cannot be used as the sole criterion for identifying patients suspected of having lupus anticoagulant. In contrast all patients who had positive results in at least one test could be detected (100% sensitivity) with two combinations of tests: (1) dilute activated partial thromboplastin time and Kaolin clotting time and (2) dilute activated partial thromboplastin time and tissue thromboplastin inhibition test. Since the latter inhibition test has been reported to give a high number of false-positive or negative results, we suggest the combination of dilute activated partial thromboplastin time and Kaolin clotting time as the standard pair of tests for the screening of suspected lupus anticoagulant patients.

Antiphospholipid Syndrome

Ticlopidine.

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Arterial Occlusive Diseases

Influence of dietary fatty acids on phospholipid composition and prostaglandin E synthesis in rat kidneys.

The effects of oils with different amounts of n6 and n3 fatty acid precursors and derivatives were evaluated on phospholipid composition and PGE2 synthesis of rat kidneys. Dietary lipids were: olive oil, an olive-blackcurrant-fish oil mixture and a blackcurrant-fish oil mixture. We observed in the kidneys of rats fed the blackcurrant-fish oil mixture a significant decrease in PGE2 synthesis, while arachidonate values did not show significant variations. A decrease of PGE2 synthesis could be due to competitive and inhibitory effects of fatty acids other than arachidonate, observed in the kidney phospholipid composition in our dietary conditions.

Animals

Ticlopidine lowers plasma fibrinogen in patients with polycythaemia rubra vera and additional thrombotic risk factors. A double-blind controlled study.

Thirty-seven patients affected by polycythaemia rubra vera (PRV) and with at least one additional thrombotic risk factor (overt vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, treated hypertension, smoking habit, plasma hyperviscosity, hyperfibrinogenemia) were enrolled in a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled study, and 18 were given ticlopidine 250 mg, b.i.d., for 60 days. All the patients had previously been submitted to cytoreduction, and PRV was under control in all cases at the start of the study. During the study, the haematological parameters were controlled every 15 days, and venesection was performed if haematocrit was greater than 46%. Whole blood viscosity, at low and high shear rates, plasma viscosity, and fibrinogen were measured on days 0 and 60. In the ticlopidine group, we recorded a significant 13.14% reduction of the mean fibrinogen level after treatment (390 +/- 63 vs. 449 +/- 97 mg/dl, p less than 0.01). All the other haemorheological parameters were not significantly modified by ticlopidine treatment, nor were there significant modifications recorded in the placebo group. Our study shows that ticlopidine may reduce a probable thrombotic risk factor (hyperfibrinogenemia) in PRV patients.

Aged

Coagulation and fibrinolysis in orthotopic liver transplantation: role of the recipient's disease and use of antithrombin III concentrates. S. Orsola Working Group on Liver Transplantation.

In this study we report the data obtained from extensive haemostatic testing of 25 patients undergoing orthotopic liver transplantation and the results of an open randomized pilot trial of antithrombin III concentrate administration during surgery. Marked differences in transfusional needs and in pre- and intraoperative blood coagulation and fibrinolytic changes were observed between recipients with liver cirrhosis and those with primary biliary cirrhosis. In the former, the increases in tissue-type plasminogen activator activity, total euglobulin fibrinolytic activity, and fibrin-derived degradation products occurred earlier and were more marked, as were the signs of increased thrombin formation. Supplementation of antithrombin III concentrate during surgery failed to induce significant changes in the main parameters studied and in the transfusional needs.

Adult

Modulation of arachidonate metabolite generation in human blood by oral defibrotide.

Acute intravenous administration in man of defibrotide (CAS 83712-60-1), a polynucleotide derivative, induces increase of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and PGE2 production from appropriately stimulated whole blood. In the present study including acute and chronic experiments, defibrotide (Prociclide) orally administered during two weeks to healthy volunteers significantly increased the amounts of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha generated after appropriate stimulation in whole blood and in a neutrophilic leukocytes-platelet suspension. Similar effects were observed for PGE2, while TXB2 production was unchanged. Furthermore, platelet aggregation induced by calcium ionophore A23817 and production of leukotriene B4 from whole blood and isolated polymorphonuclear neutrophils were inhibited. The observed results suggest that defibrotide is biochemically active also by the oral route although the pharmacological and clinical value of the observed changes needs to be assessed.

Adult

Increased placental production of leukotriene B4 in gestational hypertension.

Production of some lipoxygenase and cyclooxygenase derivatives of arachidonic acid was measured in placental tissue obtained from women with gestational hypertension and with normal pregnancies. The levels of leukotriene B4 were about five times higher in placentas from hypertensive women and also raised thromboxane A2 and reduced prostaglandin E2 levels were observed. Prostacyclin production was lowered only in women with more severe hypertension, in association with the highest measured levels of leukotriene B4 and thromboxane A2. It is suggested that increased placental levels of leukotriene B4 and thromboxane A2 appear already in mild gestational hypertension, while depression of prostacyclin may occur only at more severe stages of gestational hypertensive disease.

Adult

Low molecular weight heparins: an introduction.

Heparin fractions and fragments are useful tools in the elucidation of the mechanism of action of heparin and similar substances. The identification of portions with low or high affinity for antithrombin III and of a 'core' pentasaccharide responsible for anti-factor Xa activity has been possible thanks to heparin fractionation and fragmentation procedures. The development of low molecular weight heparins led to the production of substances with a molecular weight around 5,000, considerably variable in chemical structure, anti-factor Xa and anti-factor IIa activities, and experimental antithrombotic effects. The original rationale according to which fragments with high anti-factor Xa activity and anti-factor Xa/anti-factor IIa ratio would retain optimal antithrombotic activity with greatly reduced prohemorrhagic actions, turned out to be an oversimplification of the problem. In fact, neither is the anti-factor Xa activity the only determinant of the antithrombotic effect, nor is the anti-factor IIa activity a good predictor of hemorrhage. Despite disaggregation of the original rationale, low molecular weight heparins have already proved to be at least as effective and safe, and more conveniently and practically administered, as unfractionated heparin in the prophylaxis of deep-vein thrombosis.

Animals

Association of reduced factor VIII with impaired platelet reactivity to adrenalin and collagen after total thyroidectomy.

Twenty-one thyroprival patients, previously submitted to total thyroidectomy for tumours, were investigated during stabilized L-thyroxine supplementation and at the end of a 20-25 day "no-therapy" period, necessary for a 131I total body scintigraphy. During supplementation therapy a lower than normal mean beta-thromboglobulin (beta-TG) release level was found, the other blood clotting and platelet function tests being normal. After substitution therapy withdrawal, platelet function tests showed reduced adrenalin aggregation, increased collagen threshold aggregating concentrations, decreased beta-TG release values and reduced aggregation to ristocetin, whereas blood clotting tests showed prolonged aPTT values and reduced levels of factor VIII:C and vWf:Ag. We conclude that in acquired hypothyroidism the lowering of factor VIII:C and vWf:Ag (acquired von Willebrand disease) is associated with impaired platelet reactivity not only to ristocetin but also to collagen and especially adrenalin. In the patients investigated these changes were almost completely corrected by substitutive therapy with L-thyroxine at clinically effective doses.

Adult