Substantial evidence from randomized trials confirms benefit from aspirin in the secondary reduction of vascular disease but there is debate about its use in primary prevention. More recently, evidence from long-term follow up and other studies indicates a reduction in cancer by aspirin. The undesirable effects of aspirin include gastrointestinal bleeding and, rarely, cerebral bleeding. However...

In the ten year period January 1980 to December 1989, 102 patients with Child's Class C liver disease (Pugh's Modification) were admitted with acute variceal bleeding to one surgical unit with a policy of early sclerotherapy. There were 56 males and 46 females; the average age was 55 years (range 28-77). Fifty-three suffered from alcoholic cirrhosis. Four died before definitive treatment could ...

Hemophilia A is a rare inherited bleeding disorder due to mutation of the gene that encodes the coagulation protein factor VIII. Historically, prior to the availability of treatment with factor VIII preparations, most boys died from uncontrolled bleeding, either spontaneous bleeding or after injury, before reaching 20 years of age. One of the most impressive triumphs of modern medicine is that ...

Recombinant activated coagulation factor VII (rFVIIa) is a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drug for use in hemophiliacs with inhibitors. It has been safely utilized in this population of patients for over 13 years. rFVIIa functions by increasing local thrombin generation at sites where endothelium is damaged, resulting in increased platelet activation and aggregation and enhanc...

INTRODUCTION Massive transfusion is defined as blood transfusion in quantities equal to or greater than the estimated patients' blood volume over a relatively short period of time (3-4 hours). The study was aimed at analyzing the application of chemotherapy in treatment of patients with acute massive bleeding and evaluating the results of hemostasis and platelet counts screening tests in the pa...

Trauma fluid resuscitation continues to be a hotly debated issue. There is overwhelming experimental evidence to suggest that administration of resuscitation fluids is not entirely innocuous. Aggressive intravenous crystalloid administration in the presence of uncontrolled hemorrhage promotes continued bleeding and increases mortality. However this is countered by concerns that avoidance of flu...

Antarctic tourism on board cruise ships has expanded since the 1990s, essentially in the Antarctic Peninsula. Due to remoteness, medical cases may evolve into life threatening conditions as emergency medical evacuations are challenging. We discuss the case of a young crew member who suddenly fainted with an epigastric pain and abundant rectal bleeding while on board a cruise ship heading to the...

PERSISTENT or uncontrolled bleeding is one of the most feared consequences of any surgical procedure. Numerous factors can contribute to its etiology. Among these, both inherited and acquired disorders of coagulation and/or thrombocyte function need to be taken into account. Acquired hemophilia can be caused by antibodies to coagulation factors. Antibodies can arise in hemophilic or nonhemophil...

BACKGROUND Uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading preventable cause of death on the battlefield. Similarly, hemorrhage accounts for 80% of all deaths within the first 48 hours of injury in civilian trauma patients. New methods of hemostasis are required to reduce hemorrhagic mortality. The purpose of this study was to compare nine hemostatic dressings for their efficacy in controlling bleeding ...

BACKGROUND Uncontrolled bleeding is the first leading cause of preventable death in the battlefield and the 2nd cause of mortality in civil accidents. Incompressible hemorrhage control is among the interventions that drastically increase the survival rate in wound individuals. We have previously shown that a certain mixture of bentonite and zeolite minerals can significantly decrease the bleedi...