The minimization of blood loss represents a significant clinical need in the arena of surgery, trauma, and emergency response medicine. Fibrinogen is our body's native polymer system activated in response to tissue and vasculature injury, and forms the foundation of the most widely employed surgical sealant and hemostatic agent. Non-covalent knob:hole interactions are central to the assembly of fibrin that leads to network and clot formation. This project exploits these affinity interactions as a strategy to direct fibrin polymerization dynamics and network structure so as to develop a temperature-triggered polymerizing fibrin mixture for surgical applications. Short peptides modeled after fibrin knob sequences have been shown to alter fibrin matrix structure by competing with native fibrin knobs for binding to the available holes on fibrinogen and fibrin. The fusion of such knob peptides to a non-native component should facilitate binding of the fused component to fibrinogen/fibrin, and may permit the concomitant modification of the fibrin matrix. We examined this hypothesis in a three-step approach involving (a) analyzing the ability of tetrapeptide knob sequences to confer fibrin(ogen) affinity on a non-fibrin protein, (b) investigating the effect of knob display architecture on fibrin(ogen) structure, and (c) designing a temperature-responsive knob-displaying construct to modulate fibrin(ogen) affinity at different temperature regimes, thus altering fibrin(ogen) structure.

A mathematical model of blood coagulation under defined flow conditions, initiated and modulated by spatially discrete regions of surface bound tissue factor (TF) and thrombomodulin (TM), respectively, is presented. The model incorporates fluid phase and surface-associated reactions of the extrinsic, intrinsic, and common pathways, as well as three inhibitory pathways. The spatially heterogeneous model is formulated by finite element method, and an effective prothrombotic zone, which quantifies the spatial propagation of thrombin generation is defined. Characteristic features of coagulation are simulated under physiologic conditions, and the behavior of the system in response to perturbations in TF and TM surface densities, TF site dimensions, and wall shear rate is explored. The major findings of these studies include: (i) The model system responds in an 'all-or-none', threshold-like manner to changes in model parameters. (ii) It was found that prothrombotic effects may extend significantly beyond the dimensions of the spatially discrete site of TF expression in both axial and radial directions. (iii) The relationship between the length of the effective prothrombotic zone and the interval distance between tandem sites of TF expression dictate the net response of the system. Additive prothrombotic effects of sub-clinical lesions as well as suppressive antithrombotic effects of intervening TM-containing regions were observed. Secondly, the computational model is applied to calculate an individualized, systems-based metric of clotting potential for 210 pre-menopausal women in the Leiden Thrombophilia Study (LETS). The simulated variable was found to be a highly predictive parameter for deep venous thrombosis risk.

Introdução: A desmopressina, análogo sintético do hormônio hipotalâmico vasopressina, é utilizada em determinadas condições hematológicas hereditárias melhorando a função plaquetária e aumentando os níveis dos fatores de von Willebrand (FvW) e Fator VIII. Entretanto, sua administração na população geral é controversa, necessitando de mais estudos para elucidar sua eficácia como agente hemostático. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a coagulação sanguínea, clínica e laboratorialmente, após administração profilática da desmopressina em cirurgias cardíacas valvares. Métodos: Estudo clínico prospectivo e randomizado realizado no Instituto do Coração (InCor) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). Foram incluídos 108 pacientes adultos submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca valvar, no período de fevereiro de 2015 a novembro de 2016. Os pacientes foram randomizados e alocados para a administração profilática da desmopressina ou para o grupo controle, na admissão hospitalar. Imediatamente após a reversão da heparina, administrouse a demopressina no grupo da intervenção ou solução placebo no grupo controle. O desfecho foi a análise da coagulação sanguínea e do sangramento perioperatório através dos exames laboratoriais, débito sanguíneo dos drenos cirúrgicos e do consumo de hemocomponentes em 48 horas. Resultados: Os níveis sanguíneos do Fator VIII no tempo 2h (236,5 ± 62,9 vs. 232,3 ± 66,7, P=0,015) foram estatisticamente significantes entre os dois grupos (DDAVP e controle), respectivamente. Os demais testes clássicos da coagulação, assim como a análise viscoelástica e de agregação plaquetária mantiveram-se homogêneos em todos os tempos de coleta entre os dois grupos. O débito dos drenos cirúrgicos, balanço sanguíneo e consumo de hemocomponentes não apresentaram diferenças significantes entre os grupos DDAVP e controle. O tempo de ventilação mecânica apresentou diferença relevante entre os grupos DDAVP e o controle [897 (820 - 1011) vs. 1010 (846 - 1268), em mim, P=0,031], respectivamente. Não houve diferença em relação à incidência de complicações, tempo de internação hospitalar e de UTI ou mesmo de mortalidade em 30 dias. Conclusões: A utilização profilática da desmopressina em cirurgias cardíacas valvares não se mostrou eficaz em exercer efeito hemostático em relação ao grupo controle no presente estudo / Introduction: Desmopressin, a synthetic vasopressin analogue, is used in certain hereditary hematologic conditions, improving platelet function and increasing the levels of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. However, its use in general population is still controversial, requiring further studies to elucidate its efficacy as a haemostatic agent. Objective: To evaluate blood coagulation, through clinical and laboratorial analysis, after prophylactic use of desmopressin in heart valve surgeries. Methods: A prospective and randomized clinical study was performed in the Heart Institute (InCor) of Hospital das Clínicas, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). A total of 108 adult patients undergoing heart valve surgeries were enrolled from February 2015 to November 2016. Patients were randomly assigned to the prophylactic use of desmopressin or to the control group at the time of hospital admission. Immediately after heparin reversal, demopressin was given in the intervention group or placebo solution in the control group. Blood samples were collected at three different times in all study participants. Blood coagulation and perioperative bleeding were analysed using laboratorial tests, blood flow through surgical drains and the consumption of blood components within 48 hours. Results: Blood levels of Factor VIII at Time 2h (236.5 ± 62.9 vs. 232.3 ± 66.7, P=0.015) were significantly different between the two groups (desmopressin and control), respectively. Classical coagulation tests, as well as viscoelastic and platelet aggregation tests, remained homogeneous at all collection times between the two groups. Flow rate of surgical drains, blood balance and consumption of blood components did not present significant differences between the DDAVP and control groups. Mechanical ventilation time presented a significant difference between the desmopressin and control groups [897 (820 - 1011) vs.1010 (846 - 1268), min, P=0.031], respectively. There was no difference in incidence of complications, length of hospital and ICU stay or even mortality in 30 days. Conclusions: The prophylactic use of desmopressin in heart valve surgeries was not effective in exerting haemostatic effect compared to the control group in this study

Introdução: A desmopressina, análogo sintético do hormônio hipotalâmico vasopressina, é utilizada em determinadas condições hematológicas hereditárias melhorando a função plaquetária e aumentando os níveis dos fatores de von Willebrand (FvW) e Fator VIII. Entretanto, sua administração na população geral é controversa, necessitando de mais estudos para elucidar sua eficácia como agente hemostático. Objetivo: O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a coagulação sanguínea, clínica e laboratorialmente, após administração profilática da desmopressina em cirurgias cardíacas valvares. Métodos: Estudo clínico prospectivo e randomizado realizado no Instituto do Coração (InCor) do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). Foram incluídos 108 pacientes adultos submetidos à cirurgia cardíaca valvar, no período de fevereiro de 2015 a novembro de 2016. Os pacientes foram randomizados e alocados para a administração profilática da desmopressina ou para o grupo controle, na admissão hospitalar. Imediatamente após a reversão da heparina, administrouse a demopressina no grupo da intervenção ou solução placebo no grupo controle. O desfecho foi a análise da coagulação sanguínea e do sangramento perioperatório através dos exames laboratoriais, débito sanguíneo dos drenos cirúrgicos e do consumo de hemocomponentes em 48 horas. Resultados: Os níveis sanguíneos do Fator VIII no tempo 2h (236,5 ± 62,9 vs. 232,3 ± 66,7, P=0,015) foram estatisticamente significantes entre os dois grupos (DDAVP e controle), respectivamente. Os demais testes clássicos da coagulação, assim como a análise viscoelástica e de agregação plaquetária mantiveram-se homogêneos em todos os tempos de coleta entre os dois grupos. O débito dos drenos cirúrgicos, balanço sanguíneo e consumo de hemocomponentes não apresentaram diferenças significantes entre os grupos DDAVP e controle. O tempo de ventilação mecânica apresentou diferença relevante entre os grupos DDAVP e o controle [897 (820 - 1011) vs. 1010 (846 - 1268), em mim, P=0,031], respectivamente. Não houve diferença em relação à incidência de complicações, tempo de internação hospitalar e de UTI ou mesmo de mortalidade em 30 dias. Conclusões: A utilização profilática da desmopressina em cirurgias cardíacas valvares não se mostrou eficaz em exercer efeito hemostático em relação ao grupo controle no presente estudo / Introduction: Desmopressin, a synthetic vasopressin analogue, is used in certain hereditary hematologic conditions, improving platelet function and increasing the levels of von Willebrand factor and factor VIII. However, its use in general population is still controversial, requiring further studies to elucidate its efficacy as a haemostatic agent. Objective: To evaluate blood coagulation, through clinical and laboratorial analysis, after prophylactic use of desmopressin in heart valve surgeries. Methods: A prospective and randomized clinical study was performed in the Heart Institute (InCor) of Hospital das Clínicas, from the Faculty of Medicine, University of São Paulo (HC-FMUSP). A total of 108 adult patients undergoing heart valve surgeries were enrolled from February 2015 to November 2016. Patients were randomly assigned to the prophylactic use of desmopressin or to the control group at the time of hospital admission. Immediately after heparin reversal, demopressin was given in the intervention group or placebo solution in the control group. Blood samples were collected at three different times in all study participants. Blood coagulation and perioperative bleeding were analysed using laboratorial tests, blood flow through surgical drains and the consumption of blood components within 48 hours. Results: Blood levels of Factor VIII at Time 2h (236.5 ± 62.9 vs. 232.3 ± 66.7, P=0.015) were significantly different between the two groups (desmopressin and control), respectively. Classical coagulation tests, as well as viscoelastic and platelet aggregation tests, remained homogeneous at all collection times between the two groups. Flow rate of surgical drains, blood balance and consumption of blood components did not present significant differences between the DDAVP and control groups. Mechanical ventilation time presented a significant difference between the desmopressin and control groups [897 (820 - 1011) vs.1010 (846 - 1268), min, P=0.031], respectively. There was no difference in incidence of complications, length of hospital and ICU stay or even mortality in 30 days. Conclusions: The prophylactic use of desmopressin in heart valve surgeries was not effective in exerting haemostatic effect compared to the control group in this study