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Biomedical subjects

Marcel Levi

Publications and source records attributed to Marcel Levi.

97 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed2002

Coagulation: consultative hemostasis.

Clinical hematologists are frequently consulted for the care of hospitalized patients with complicated coagulopathies. This chapter provides an update on the scientific and clinical advances noted in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) and discusses the challenges in hemostasis consultation. In Section I, Dr. Marcel Levi reviews advances in our understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of DIC. Novel therapeutic strategies that have been developed and evaluated in patients with DIC are discussed, as are the clinical trials performed in patients with sepsis. In Section II, Dr. Lawrence Leung provides an overview of the challenging problems in thrombosis encountered in the inpatient setting. Patients with deep vein thrombosis that is refractory to conventional anticoagulation and those with extensive mesenteric thrombosis as well as the evaluation of a positive PF4/heparin ELISA in a post-operative setting are discussed. Novel treatments for recurrent catheter thrombosis in dialysis patients is addressed as well. In Section III, Dr. Julie Hambleton reviews the hemostatic complications of solid organ transplantation. Coagulopathy associated with liver transplantation, contribution of underlying thrombophilia to graft thrombosis, drug-induced microangiopathy, and the indication for postoperative prophylaxis are emphasized. Dr. Hambleton reviews the clinical trials evaluating hemostatic agents in patients undergoing liver transplantation.

Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation↗
PubMed2002

Recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2, a novel inhibitor of tissue factor-factor VIIa activity, abrogates endotoxin-induced coagulation in chimpanzees.

Systemic activation of coagulation leading to disseminated intra-vascular coagulation (DIC) is an important feature in patients with severe sepsis. Tissue factor has been shown to play a primary role in this pathological response, as revealed by the use of specific inhibitors and antagonists of the tissue factor/factor VIIa pathway. This class of agents has been demonstrated to attenuate the coagulation response in human volunteers with induced low-grade endotoxemia and to reduce mortality in primate models of Gram-negative sepsis. The efficacy of these agents in attenuating the activation of coagulation and formation of microvascular thrombosis in sepsis may depend on the mechanism of inhibition. Here we demonstrate the efficacy of recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2 (rNAPc2) that specifically inhibits the tissue factor/factor VIIa complex by a novel mechanism, in a model of endotoxin-induced coagulation activation in chimpanzees. Administration of a low dose of Gram-negative endotoxin induced marked increases of thrombin generation as measured by plasma levels of prothrombin activation fragment F(1+2) and thrombin-antithrombin complexes, which were completely blocked by rNAPc2. In chimpanzees receiving rNAPc2 alone, there was a significant reduction in the activation of factor X but not factor IX, compared to animals receiving placebo. In contrast to the effect of rNAPc2 on thrombin generation, there was no effect of this inhibitor on the well known enhanced systemic fibrinolytic response induced by endotoxin. In conclusion, the recombinant peptide rNAPc2 is an effective inhibitor of tissue factor-driven thrombin generation during low grade endotoxemia. These results suggest that rNAPc2 may be a promising therapeutic option to inhibit coagulation activation in patients with sepsis.

Animals↗
PubMed2002

Therapeutic intervention in disseminated intravascular coagulation: have we made any progress in the last millennium?

Disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) is a syndrome characterized by systemic intravascular activation of coagulation, leading to widespread deposition of fibrin in the circulation. Recent knowledge on important pathogenetic mechanisms that may lead to DIC has resulted in novel preventive and therapeutic approaches to patients with DIC. Thrombin generation proceeds via the (extrinsic) tissue factor/activated factor VII route and simultaneously occurring depression of inhibitory mechanisms, such as antithrombin and the protein C and protein S system. Also, impaired fibrin degradation, due to high circulating levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor type-I, contributes to enhanced intravascular fibrin deposition. Strategies aimed at the inhibition of coagulation activation may theoretically be justified and have been found beneficial in experimental and initial clinical studies. These strategies comprise inhibition of tissue factor-mediated activation of coagulation or restoration of physiological anticoagulant pathways, by means of the administration of antithrombin concentrate or (activated) protein C.

Anticoagulants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation.

Sepsis almost invariably leads to hemostatic abnormalities, ranging from insignificant laboratory changes to severe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). There is compelling evidence from clinical and experimental studies that DIC is involved in the pathogenesis of microvascular dysfunction and contributes to organ failure. In addition, the massive and ongoing activation of coagulation, may deplete platelets and coagulation factors, which may in turn cause bleeding. Recent insights into important pathogenetic mechanisms that may lead to DIC have resulted in novel preventive and therapeutic approaches to patients with sepsis and a derangement of coagulation. Thrombin generation proceeds via the (extrinsic) tissue factor/factor VIIa route and simultaneously occurring depression of inhibitory mechanisms, such as antithrombin III and the protein C system. Also, impaired fibrin degradation, due to high circulating levels of PAI-1, contributes to enhanced intravascular fibrin deposition. Supportive strategies aimed at the inhibition of coagulation activation may be justified on theoretical grounds and have been found to be beneficial in experimental and initial clinical studies. These strategies comprise inhibition of tissue factor-mediated activation of coagulation or restoration of physiological anticoagulant pathways, by means of the administration of antithrombin concentrate or recombinant human activated protein C.

Anticoagulants↗