PubMed · 14482929
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P A OWREN. 1962-03-01. [Anticoagulation therapy].. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14482929/
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BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The role of anticoagulant treatment for acute cardioembolic stroke is uncertain. We performed an updated meta-analysis of all randomized trials to obtain the best estimates of the efficacy and safety of anticoagulants for the initial treatment of acute cardioembolic stroke. METHODS: Using electronic and manual searches of the literature, we identified randomized trials comparing anticoagulants (unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin or heparinoids), started within 48 hours, with other treatments (aspirin or placebo) in patients with acute ischemic cardioembolic stroke. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted data on study design, quality, and clinical outcomes, including death or disability, all strokes, recurrent ischemic stroke, and cerebral symptomatic bleeding. Odds ratios for individual outcomes were calculated for each trial and data from all the trials were pooled using the Mantel-Haenszel method. RESULTS: Seven trials, involving 4624 patients with acute cardioembolic stroke, met the criteria for inclusion. Compared with other treatments, anticoagulants were associated with a nonsignificant reduction in recurrent ischemic stroke within 7 to 14 days (3.0% versus 4.9%, odds ratio 0.68, 95% CI: 0.44 to 1.06, P=0.09, number needed to treat=53), a significant increase in symptomatic intracranial bleeding (2.5% versus 0.7%, odds ratio 2.89; 95% CI: 1.19 to 7.01, P=0.02, number needed to harm=55), and a similar rate of death or disability at final follow up (73.5% versus 73.8%, odds ratio 1.01; 95% CI: 0.82 to 1.24, P=0.9). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that in patients with acute cardioembolic stroke, early anticoagulation is associated with a nonsignificant reduction in recurrence of ischemic stroke, no substantial reduction in death and disability, and an increased intracranial bleeding.
Hemostasis management plays an important role in surgery. Anti-platelet drugs and oral anticoagulants are taken by an increasing number of patients. Perioperative management must take into account bleeding as well as thromboembolic risks when withholding these medications. Patients with inherited or acquired hemostatic disorders should receive interdisciplinary care in order to optimise perioperative substitution therapy. For the diagnosis of acquired coagulopathy secondary to massive bleeding, point of care tests have been introduced that should help focus substitution therapy in emergency situations. However, physicians should be aware of the limitations of these methods, and a full diagnostic workup should be done in order to uncover hemorrhagic diatheses not detected by point of care testing.
The boom in medical liability shows no sign of easing even for thrombosis prophylaxis, so that it is becoming increasingly more common that experts must decide whether this has been correctly carried out. From this point of view they are legally only "assistants" to the judge, but practically they make the decision in liability disputes. It is therefore of great importance that the experts fulfil their key role in an unbiased and professionally competent manner and limit their opinions to their own field of expertise. They must also be fully aware of the different prerequisites for liability in both civil and criminal proceedings and the legal definitions of, for example the terms "standard medical professional practice", "grossly" negligent treatment, "a probability bordering on certainty", "obligation to the evidential value" and be familiar with the facts in question. Without this necessary knowledge in the legal field, regrettable judicial errors will always reoccur.