In Introduction, the author of this dissertation deals with postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE), hereditary and acquired risk factors, prophylaxis regimens and recent recommendation of VTE prevention in surgery. In Practical part of this work the author assesses the risk of VTE in surgical patients according to risk assessment model. Genetic testing is carried out in all patients to determine the incidence of hereditary thrombophilia and coagulation markers are measured in 28-days postoperative period. Prevalence of VTE in 1-year postoperative period is observed. The results are analysed in group of patients with benign disease (hernia and gallstone disease) and group of patients with malignancy (colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer) separately. The objective of this work is to determine the incidence of the most frequent thrombophilic mutations (factor V Leiden mutation and protrombin G20210A mutation) and assess the impact of hereditary thrombophilia on incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism in general surgery. Validation of venous thrombosis risk assessment model recommended by Czech Society for Thrombosis and Hemostasis is further objective.

In Introduction, the author of this dissertation deals with postoperative venous thromboembolism (VTE), hereditary and acquired risk factors, prophylaxis regimens and recent recommendation of VTE prevention in surgery. In Practical part of this work the author assesses the risk of VTE in surgical patients according to risk assessment model. Genetic testing is carried out in all patients to determine the incidence of hereditary thrombophilia and coagulation markers are measured in 28-days postoperative period. Prevalence of VTE in 1-year postoperative period is observed. The results are analysed in group of patients with benign disease (hernia and gallstone disease) and group of patients with malignancy (colorectal cancer and pancreatic cancer) separately. The objective of this work is to determine the incidence of the most frequent thrombophilic mutations (factor V Leiden mutation and protrombin G20210A mutation) and assess the impact of hereditary thrombophilia on incidence of postoperative venous thromboembolism in general surgery. Validation of venous thrombosis risk assessment model recommended by Czech Society for Thrombosis and Hemostasis is further objective.

Postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) is a frequent complication of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Using MarketScan claims data from January 2012 to June 2015, we identified adults with a primary diagnosis code for VTE during a hospitalization/emergency department visit, ≥6 months of insurance coverage prior to the index event and newly started on rivaroxaban or warfarin within 30 days of the index VTE. Patients with <4-month follow-up postindex event or a claim for any anticoagulant during 6-month baseline period were excluded. Differences in baseline characteristics between rivaroxaban and warfarin users were adjusted for using inverse probability of treatment weights based on propensity scores. Patients were followed for the development of PTS starting 3 months after the index VTE. Cox regression was performed and reported as hazard ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). In total, 10 463 rivaroxaban and 26 494 warfarin users were followed for a mean of 16 ± 9 (range, 4-39) months. Duration of anticoagulation was similar between cohorts (median = 6 months). Rivaroxaban was associated with a 23% (95% CI: 16-30) reduced hazard of PTS versus warfarin. Rivaroxaban was associated with a significant risk reduction in symptoms of PTS compared to warfarin in patients with VTE treated in routine practice.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is one of the most common cardiovascular diseases. KTH and its academic and industrial partners intend to develop a system to combat VTE by forcing movements of inactive muscles. An important part of this system is a unit that can sense muscular activity over time. Electromyography (EMG) is used to measure the activation potential of muscles. The goal of this thesis is to develop an EMG device that can measure bioelectric signals and convey this data to other devices. This thesis is mainly an exploration to identify the potential solution and more work is needed to develop the required system. The EMG device must be small, modular, battery powered and be able to communicate wirelessly with other devices. A functioning EMG system requires an appropriate amplification for the result to be legible and requires extensive filtering as well as detailed circuit board design to eliminate noise or interference that can affect the result.This project utilized a top down approach. An architecture of the EMG system was made and broken down into functional blocks. Each block was implemented separately and the whole solution was tested experimentally to ensure that all the specifications were fulfilled. To validate the EMG device, a series of reference images were used together with directly observing the correlation between muscle activation and its signal with an oscilloscope.The result was a fully functional EMG device that consisted of two PCB: a PCB with EMG circuitry (analog circuit) and a PCB with digital processing for communication (digital circuit). The EMG results were consistent between test subjects and could easily be correlated to muscle movement and force. The reference images indicated that it was functioning as intended. There was still 50 Hz common mode noise present in the EMG device which could have been due to its wide bandwidth and poor low frequency properties.The goals and requirements were fulfilled: a fully functional wireless, modular, small and battery driven EMG device was developed. The noise level of the EMG could have been lower and would need some further improvements. An integrated battery could be implemented to eliminate the need for users to provide a battery. An app could be developed in tandem with the EMG device, with friendly user interface, for healthcare personnel.The thesis workers strived to minimize the number of used components and power consumption. All components were RoHS certified and discarded components were collected for proper waste management. Energy consumption could have been further minimized in the digital PCB by implementing sleep mode and a watchdog timer. This thesis strived to implement as much of the 17 global sustainability goals set by the United Nations (UN). In conclusion, the main sustainability goal of this thesis was “3 – Good Health and well-being”. Other sustainability goals were “12 – Responsible consumption and production”, “13 – Climate action”, “15 – Life on land” were deemed to have been considered in this thesis. / Venös tromboemboli (VTE) är en av de vanligaste kardiovaskulära sjukdomarna. KTH och dess akademiska och industriella partner avser att utveckla ett system med uppdrag att bekämpa VTE genom att stimulera inaktiva muskler. Elektromyografi (EMG) används för att mäta musklernas aktiveringspotential. Syftet med denna avhandling är att utveckla en EMG-enhet som kan mäta bioelektriska signaler och överföra denna data till andra enheter. Ett fungerande EMG system kräver en lämplig förstärkning för att resultatet ska vara läsbart och kräver filtrering samt utförlig kretskortdesign för att eliminera brus/störningar som kan påverka resultatet negativt.Projektet använde en Top-Down strategi. En arkitektur av EMG-systemet genomfördes och sedan delades upp i funktionella block. Varje block implementerades separat och hela lösningen testades experimentellt för att säkerställa att alla specifikationer uppfylldes. För att validera EMG- enheten användes referensbilder tillsammans med att direkt observera sambandet mellan muskelaktivering och dess signal via ett oscilloskop.Resultatet var en helt funktionell EMG-enhet som bestod av två PCB: en PCB med EMG funktionalitet (analog krets) och en PCB med digital processering för kommunikation (digital krets). EMG mätningarna var konsistenta mellan testpersoner och kunde lätt korreleras med muskelrörelse och spänningskraft. Referensbilderna indikerade att den fungerade som avsedd. Det fanns fortfarande 50 Hz common mode brus i EMG-enheten, vilket kan ha orsakas av dess breda bandbredd och dåliga lågfrekvensegenskaper.Målen och kraven uppfylldes: en fullt funktionell trådlös, modulär, liten och batteridriven EMG- enhet. Brusnivån för EMG kunde ha varit lägre och skulle behöva ytterligare förbättringar. Ett integrerat batteri kunde implementeras för att eliminera användarnas behov av att tillhandahålla ett batteri. En applikation kunde ha utvecklats för EMG-enheten, med ett användarvänligt användargränssnitt, för vårdpersonal.Examensarbetarna strävade efter att minimera användning av komponenter och strömförbrukning under arbetsprocessen. Alla komponenter var RoHS-certifierade och kasserade komponenter insamlades för korrekt avfallshantering. Energiförbrukning kunde ha minimerats ytterligare i det digitala kretskortet genom att implementera sleep mode och en watchdog timer. I detta examensarbete var det önskvärt att implemnetera de 17 globala hållbarhetsmålen uppsatta av FN (Förenta Nationerna). Sammanfattningsvis uppfylldes huvudsakligen “3 – Good Health and well-being”. Hållbarhetsmålen ”12 - Ansvarig konsumtion och produktion”, ”13 – Klimatåtgärder”, ”15 - Liv på land” anses även att ha beaktas i denna avhandling.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE), defined as deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism is the second leading cause of mortality in cancer patients, second only to cancer itself. A number of reports suggest that circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) may be increased in cancer patients with VTE. The aim of this study was to examine circulating EVs in high-risk ambulatory cancer patients, determine if levels are associated with hematological outcomes (VTE, major bleeding event), and to assess the impact of prophylactic antithrombotic therapy (Apixaban). We hypothesized that elevated levels of circulating large EVs will be predictive of cancer associated VTE and/or bleeding events and that treatment with Apixaban will reduce EV levels and incidence of cancer VTE. Plasma samples from patients at baseline, and 90-days follow-up from the Apixaban for the Prevention of Venous Thromboembolism in High-Risk Ambulatory Cancer patients (AVERT) trial were investigated. Total EVs were quantified by their pro-coagulant activity using the Zymuphen MP-Activity kit. Platelet, endothelial and tissue-factor EV levels were quantified by flow cytometry. We observed that circulating EVs exhibited significant associations with sex, age, and cancer type, however we did not observe any relationships with clinical outcomes. Thus, it appears that circulating EVs may not have a role in risk stratification for VTE in in high-risk ambulatory cancer patients.

Introdução: A doença tromboembólica é um distúrbio complexo multicausal com sinais e sintomas inespecíficos, confundindo-se com outras enfermidades. Devido à sua gravidade buscam-se estratégias objetivando obter um diagnóstico precoce. O teste de dosagem do dímero - D plasmático parece ser uma alternativa para exclusão do diagnóstico de tromboembolismo venoso agudo. Objetivo: Avaliar o valor do teste de dosagem de dímero - D plasmático, utilizando o método Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA), na rotina diagnóstica de tromboembolismo venoso agudo. Métodos: Em 89 pacientes com sinais e sintomas sugestivos de tromboembolismo pulmonar e/ou trombose venosa profunda foram realizadas dosagens do dímero - D pela técnica ELFA no equipamento VIDAS® - BioMérieux. Foram calculados os valores da sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivo e negativo e acurácia do teste, bem como a curva ROC da amostra estudada. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame por imagem para confirmação do evento tromboembólico agudo. Foi calculado o índice kappa para analisar o resultado do teste dímero - D versus resultados de exames por imagem. Resultados: Entre os 89 pacientes estudados (média de idade 54,3 anos; 51 mulheres), 36 (40,4%) apresentaram TEV e 53 não apresentaram trombose aguda (59,6%). Entre os pacientes sem trombose aguda 15 (28,3%) apresentaram resultado de dímero - D negativo. Todos pacientes com trombose apresentaram resultado de dímero - D positivo. O teste apresentou sensibilidade de 100%; especificidade de 28,3%; valor preditivo positivo de 48,6%; valor preditivo negativo de 100% e exatidão de 57,3%. A ASC para a amostra total estudada foi igual a 0,734, indicando que o teste é um bom preditor de trombose aguda. O valor do índice kappa para a amostra total foi igual a 0,24 (p<0,001), indicando uma concordância fraca entre dímero - D e diagnóstico confirmatório de trombose. Conclusão: A dosagem do dímero - D pelo método ELFA foi capaz de excluir o diagnóstico de tromboembolismo venoso agudo nessa amostra estudada. Os resultados obtidos nessa amostra estudada permitiram concluir que o uso do teste dímero - D em pacientes com suspeita de tromboembolismo venoso revelou alta sensibilidade no diagnóstico dessa enfermidade. / Introduction: The thromboembolic disease is a multicausal complex disturb with signals and symptoms that confusing itself with other diseases. Because its gravity strategies search objecting to get a faster diagnosis. The measure plasmatic D dimer test seems to be an alternative for exclusion of the diagnostic of acute venous thromboembolism. Objectives: To evaluate the value of the measure plasmatic D dimer test, using the method Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA), in the diagnostic of acute venous thromboembolism. Methods: In 89 patients with signals and symptoms suggestive of pulmonary thromboembolism and/or deep vein thrombosis had been carried through measure D dimer by technique ELFA equipment VIDAS® - BioMérieux. The values of sensibility, accuracy specificity, predictive values positive and negative and of the test had been calculated, as well as curve ROC of the sample studied. All the patients had been submitted the image exams for the confirmation of the acute thromboembolism event. It was calculated kappa ratio to compare D dimer test results with image exams results. Results: Between 89 studied patients (mean of age 54.3 years; 51 women), 36 (40.4%) they had presented and 53 had not presented acute thrombosis (59.6%). It enters the patients without acute thromboembolism 15 (28.3%) had presented resulted negative of D dimer. All patients with thrombosis had presented resulted positive of D dimer. The test presented 100% sensibility; 28.3% of specificity; positive predictive value was 48.6%; 100% of negative predictive value and accuracy value was 57.3%. The area under the curve (AUC) to total sample studied was 0.734, it was showed that the test have a good prediction to acute thrombosis. The kappa ratio value was 0.24 (p<0.001) showing a bad concordat n to thrombosis diagnostic. Conclusion: The measure of D dimer by method ELFA was able to exclude the diagnostic of acute venous thromboembolism in this sample studied. The results obtained in this sample studied let to conclude that the D dimer test in patients with suspected of acute thromboembolism presented high sensibility to diagnostic of this disease.

Estudo prospectivo e randomizado de 30 pacientes, submetidos a derivação cavopulmonar total com tubo extracardíaco. Os dados refletem o período de 2008 a 2011, com seguimento de dois anos, por meio de avaliação clínica, laboratorial, ecocardiográfica, angiotomográfica e cintilográfica. Neste estudo, procuramos comparar a eficácia do ácido acetil salicílico (AAS) e da Varfarina na profilaxia da trombose na população estudada. Para tanto, analisamos alterações nos fatores de coagulação (VII, VIII e Proteína C ); ou nos dados clínicos que predispusessem a ocorrência de trombo no pós-operatório. Além disso, no pós-operatório, após a randomização (15 pacientes randomizados para receber Varfarina, Grupo I, e 15 pacientes randomizados para receber AAS, Grupo II), estudamos a interferência da fenestração na ocorrência de trombo; alterações hemodinâmicas que pudessem contribuir com a ocorrência de trombo (fluxo lento pelo tubo extracardíaco), por meio de ecocardiograma transesofágico realizado com até 10 dias de pós operatório, 3, 6, 12 e 24 meses de pós operatório. A presença do fenômeno tromboembólico era pesquisada, além dos ecocardiogramas acima citados, por meio de consultas clínicas realizadas com a mesma periodicidade e que avaliavam, ainda, efeitos colaterais ou complicações no uso de cada uma das drogas. Avaliamos também a viabilidade e aderência ao uso de cada uma delas. O seguimento contou igualmente com a realização de angiotomografia aos 6, 12 e 24 meses de pós-operatório para avaliação de alterações na parede interna do tubo, bem como trombos e cintilografia pulmonar, ventilação-perfusão para avaliar possível tromboembolismo pulmonar. Durante o seguimento, ocorreram dois óbitos, ambos no grupo em uso de Varfarina. Ao todo, durante os dois anos de seguimento, 33,3% dos pacientes apresentaram fenômeno tromboembólico. Sendo que, entre os paciente em uso de AAS, 46,7% apresentaram tal complicação e 20% entre os pacientes em uso de Varfarina (p=0,121). Com relação a avaliação pré-operatória, a ocorrência prévia de trombo e baixos níveis de proteína C da coagulação foram os únicos fatores que influenciaram no tempo de sobrevida livre de trombo, com valores de p de 0,035 e 0,047 respectivamente. Ao final de dois anos de seguimento, na avaliação angiotomográfica, 35,7% dos pacientes em uso de AAS tinham material hiper-refringente depositado em tubo extracardíaco com espessura superior a 2mm ( p= 0,082). Já na avaliação por cintilografia de ventilação-perfusão, dois pacientes apresentaram sinais de tromboembolismo pulmonar, ambos em uso de AAS (p=0,483), e um deles com evolução desfavorável do circuito tipo Fontan. Com relação a segurança e aderência ao tratamento, cinco pacientes tiveram dificuldade de aderência (só viabilizada por tratar-se de protocolo de estudo), entre eles, quatro em uso de Varfarina e apresentando INR variando de 1 a 6,4. Para comprovação numérica, com força estatística dos dados encontrados, uma força tarefa deve ocorrer para que se consiga um grupo maior de pacientes incluídos neste estudo. No entanto, a diferença entre os dois grupos na evolução livre de trombo nos dois primeiros anos de pós-operatório não pode, e nem deve, ser ignorada / Prospective randomized trial of 30 patients who had undergone total cavopulmonary anastomosis via an extracardiac conduit. The data reflect the period between 2008 and 2011, with two-year follow-up, through clinical, laboratorial, echocardiographic, angiotomographic, and scintigraphic assessment. In this study, we aimed to compare the efficiency of ASA (Aspirin) and Warfarin in the preventive treatment of thrombosis in the tried population. For such, we\'ve analyzed changes in coagulation factors (VII, VIII and Protein C) or in the clinical data which would predispose the occurrence of postoperative thrombus. Moreover, during postoperative care, after randomization (15 patients randomly selected to be trated with Warfarin, referred to as Group I, and 15 patients randomly selected to be treated with ASA, referred to as Group II), we also studied the influence of fenestration in the occurrence of thrombus; hemodynamic variations which could contribute to the occurrence of thrombus (slow blood flow in the extracardiac conduit), with postoperative transesophageal echocardiogram being performed within 10 days, and thereafter 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. Besides the echocardiograms aforementioned, the presence of thromboembolic events was sought after by clinical appointments taking place with the same frequency, which evaluated, apart from thromboembolism, side effects or complications from the usage of each of the drugs. We\'ve also evaluated the compliance to and feasibility of each of them. Postoperative angiotomography was also performed during the follow-up, within 6, 12 and 24 months, for the evaluation of changes on the inside wall of the extracardiac conduit, as well as thrombi, and pulmonary ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy for assessment of pulmonary thromboembolism possibility. During the follow-up, two deaths were registered, both in the group being treated with Warfarin. Overall, in the two-year follow-up, 33,3% of the patients presented thromboembolic events. Among the group being treated with ASA, 46,7% presented such complication, whereas in the group being treated with Warfarin, 20% had the same complication (p=0,121). Regarding the preoperative evaluation, prior occurrence of thrombus and low levels of coagulation factor Protein C were the only variables which influenced living time without thrombus, with p-values of 0,035 and 0,047. At the end of the two-year follow-up, in the angiotomographic evaluation, 35,7% of patients treated with ASA presented material accumulation inside the extracardiac conduit, with over 2mm of thickness (p=0,082). As for the ventilation/perfusion scintigraphy, two patients presented traces of pulmonary thromboembolism, both treated with ASA (p=0,483), one of whom with unfavorable development of the Fontan circuit. Concerning safety and compliance to the treatment, five patients had difficulty to comply with the treatment (only viable for its trial nature), among those, four under treatment with Warfarin and presenting INR values ranging from 1 to 6,4. For quantitative verification, providing statistic value to the data, an effort must be made for a larger number of patients to be gathered and tried with this treatment. However, the difference in results concerning thrombus-free recovery between the two groups during the two years following surgery cannot, and must not, be ignored

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) constitute a significant health problem with consequences for the patient as well as for society. Suspected ADRs have been reported to occur in about 2-14% of hospitalised patients. In about 5% of deceased hospitalised patients suspected ADRs may have caused or contributed to the fatal outcome. When a pharmaceutical drug is approved for marketing, the drug has been tested only on a limited number of patients (often &lt;6000) for a limited time period in a controlled environment. Hence mostly common ADRs are detected in these trials. Moreover, certain patient groups, for example patients with co-morbidities, elderly patients, children and pregnant women are often not included in these studies. Thus, it is important to closely monitor the use of drugs after marketing to observe new effects and detect new ADRs. The aim of this thesis is to describe the pattern of pharmaceutical substance use related to morbidity and mortality and to investigate two serious ADRs. We have studied the incidence of fatal ADRs, fatal intoxications, cerebral haemorrhage related to warfarin treatment and venous thromboembolism (VTE) related to treatment with antipsychotic drugs. Observational studies form the basis for this thesis. Data from the Swedish Cause of Death Register, medical case records, the Swedish database on ADRs, the forensic pathology and forensic toxicology databases, and Swedish and Danish hospital discharge registers, Danish prescription registers, and civil registry systems were used. In Paper I we found that 3% of all fatalities in a Swedish population were related to a suspected ADR. Of the deceased hospitalised patients, 6% were related to a suspected ADR. Haemorrhage was the most commonly observed fatal suspected ADR, accounting for almost two-thirds of the events and anticoagulantia was the most common drug group associated with fatal suspected ADRs (almost 50%). A suspected intoxication could have contributed to the fatal outcome in 0.6% of the deceased. Among the fatal intoxications in Swedish medico-legal autopsies studied in Paper II, on average four substances were detected per case. The five most commonly detected substances in individuals with a fatal intoxication were ethanol, propoxyphene, paracetamol, diazepam and flunitrazepam. Among patients diagnosed with cerebral haemorrhage, 10% (59 cases) were treated with warfarin at onset of symptoms (Paper III). Of these, 7 cases (12%) were considered to have been possibly avoidable since the patients were treated with concomitant drugs that have the potential to enhance warfarin effects. The results from Paper IV and Paper V in combination with the published literature suggest that patients treated with antipsychotic drugs have an increased risk for VTE. Compared with non-users, an adjusted odds ratio for VTE of 2.0 was found for users of any antipsychotic drugs in a Danish population. In a medico-legal autopsy series, an adjusted odds ratio for fatal pulmonary embolism of 2.4 and 6.9 was found for users of first-generation low-potency antipsychotics and second-generation antipsychotics, respectively. In summary, drug-related morbidity and mortality is a significant problem and suspected ADRs contribute to a substantial number of deaths. Fatal intoxications are relatively common and it is important to observe changes in patterns of substances associated with fatal intoxications to be able to discover new trends and monitor effects of preventive work. A significant proportion of warfarin-related cerebral haemorrhage was caused by drug-drug interactions and was considered possible to avoid. Users of antipsychotic drugs may increase the risk of VTE. / Idag finns det säkra och effektiva behandlingar mot många sjukdomar. Läkemedel är den vanligaste behandlingsformen i sjukvården och under 2006 hämtade sex miljoner svenskar (68%) ut ett eller fler recept på ett apotek i Sverige. Även om läkemedelsbehandling har många positiva effekter kan även oönskade och skadliga effekter vid läkemedelsbehandling uppkomma, dvs. läkemedelsbiverkningar. Innan ett läkemedel kommer ut för försäljning har man studerat effekter och biverkningar på ett begränsat antal individer (ofta &lt;6000) under en begränsad tidsperiod där patienterna övervakas noga. Dessutom är det i regel enbart patienter med få andra sjukdomar och läkemedel som ingår i dessa studier. Därför är oftast enbart de vanligaste biverkningarna kända när ett läkemedel börjar säljas till allmänheten. När ett läkemedel blir tillgängligt för ett stort antal patienter är det därför viktigt att man med olika metoder fortsätter att följa läkemedlets effekter och biverkningar. Tidigare har man visat att ungefär 2-14% av inläggningar på sjukhus beror på läkemedelsbiverkningar. Dessutom kan biverkningar ha bidragit eller orsakat dödsfallet i ungefär 5% av de som avlider på sjukhus. Biverkningar orsakar mycket lidande för patienten och kostar samhället både tid och pengar. Om det skulle vara möjligt att förhindra några av dessa sjukhusinläggningar eller dödsfall skulle man vinna mycket. Det är svårt att uppskatta hur många biverkningar som kan förhindras. Genom att studera faktorer som kan öka risken för en oönskad effekt kan man bättre anpassa behandlingen till den enskilde patienten och därmed förhindra biverkningar. Syftet med den här avhandlingen är att beskriva mönster av läkemedelsrelaterade sjukdomar och dödsfall, och att undersöka risken för två allvarliga läkemedelsbiverkningar. Förekomsten av misstänkta läkemedelsbiverkningar, vilka faktorer som kan öka risken för att få en läkemedelsbiverkan, samt vilka läkemedel och biverkningar som förekommer har studerats. Detta gjordes utifrån uppgifter hämtade från dödsorsaksregistret, svenska biverkningsregistret, journaler, rättsmedicinska register, slutenvårdsregister och receptregister. Genom att utnyttja sådan information har vi i närmare detalj studerat förekomsten av dödsfall där ett eller flera läkemedel kan ha haft betydelse för dödsfallet, förgiftningsdödsfall, blödningar i samband med blodförtunnande medicinering och blodproppar i samband med antipsykotisk medicinering. I de arbeten som ingår i avhandlingen har vi funnit att en läkemedelsbiverkan misstänks ha bidragit eller orsakat dödsfallet i ungefär 3% av de som avlidit i en svensk population (Arbete I). Blödningar står för nästan två tredjedelar av dessa biverkningar och blodförtunnande medel misstänks vara inblandade i nästan hälften av de misstänkta läkemedelsbiverkningarna. I den här svenska populationen avled 0,6% till följd av misstänkt läkemedelsförgiftning. Bland rättsmedicinskt undersökta förgiftningsdödsfall påvisades i genomsnitt fyra substanser per fall (Arbete II). De fem vanligaste påvisade substanserna i studien var alkohol, dextropropoxifen, paracetamol, diazepam och flunitrazepam. Bland patienter som får hjärnblödning behandlades 10% vid blödningstillfället med ett blodförtunnande medel, warfarin (Arbete III). I 7 fall (12%) skulle hjärnblödningen möjligen kunna ha förhindrats då patienterna samtidigt behandlades med andra läkemedel som kan ha ökat blödningsrisken. Den sammantagna bilden av den litteratur som finns publicerad och resultatet av Arbete IV och Arbete V, tyder på att patienter som behandlas med antipsykotiska preparat har en ökad risk för att få blodpropp. Flera faktorer har föreslagits som kan förklara den ökade risken för blodpropp bland patienter som behandlas med antipsykotika som har med sjukdomen att göra och/eller behandlingen med antipsykotiska läkemedel. Sammanfattningsvis visar detta avhandlingsprojekt att läkemedelsbiverkningar är ett väsentligt sjukvårdsproblem som bidrar till ett betydande antal dödsfall. Förgiftningsdödsfall med läkemedel är också relativt vanliga och det är viktigt att bevaka effekter av preventiva åtgärder och se om de substanser som används ändras över tid. En del läkemedelsrelaterade biverkningar skulle kunna förhindras då t.ex. en betydande andel av warfarinrelaterade hjärnblödningar beror på läkemedelsinteraktioner. Förekomsten av venösa blodproppar verkar vara förhöjd bland patienter som behandlas med antipsykotiska läkemedel, men fler studier behövs för att avgöra detta och vad det i så fall beror på.

La dysfonction endothéliale est un problème majeur au niveau mondial du fait de son implication dans de nombreuses pathologies. Ainsi, la dysfonction endothéliale est considérée comme un facteur pronostique défavorable dans les maladies cardiovasculaires. Les principaux mécanismes impliqués dans la dysfonction endothéliale sont la réduction de la formation et/ou de la biodisponibilité du monoxyde d’azote (NO), et la présence d’un stress oxydant. Le but de ce travail était d’évaluer des traitements phytothérapeutiques pouvant prévenir et/ou améliorer la dysfonction endothéliale. Le criblage de plus de trois cent plantes en fonction de leur capacité à induire une relaxation vasculaire et une inhibition de la NADPH oxydase (données confidentielles) a conduit à s’intéresser à Lindera obtusiloba. Ensuite, la capacité d’un extrait alcoolique de Lindera obtusiloba (LOE) à améliorer in vitro et in vivo la dysfonction endothéliale en activant la eNOS et en réduisant le stress oxydant a été testée. En conclusion, ces travaux indiquent que LOE possède des effets vasoprotecteurs in vitro et in vivo dans plusieurs modèles expérimentaux comme l’hypertension artérielle induite par l’angiotensine II, le diabète de type 2, l’athérosclérose et la thrombose pulmonaire. Ces effets bénéfiques impliquent, au moins en partie, la stimulation de la formation endothéliale du NO, la réduction du stress oxydant vasculaire via l’inhibition de la NADPH oxydase et l’inhibition de l’agrégation plaquettaire. Ainsi, LOE pourrait être un excellent candidat pour la prévention et/ou le traitement phytothérapeutique des maladies cardiovasculaires associées à une dysfonction endothéliale. / Endothelial dysfunction is a major worldwide topic because it is an important component and risk factor of a number of common human diseases. Therefore, endothelial dysfunction is considered a hallmark for vascular diseases, and has also been shown to be predictive of future adverse cardiovascular events. The main characteristic is a reduced NO production and bioavailability, and an increased vascular oxidative stress. The goal of the present research was to find a candidate for cardiovascular protective herbal medicine for the treatment of endothelial dysfunction. Through measurement of changes in isometric tension of porcine coronary artery rings, Lindera obtusiloba was selected amongst three hundred plants. Thereafter, the aim of our research was to determine whether an ethanolic extract of L. obtusiloba stems (LOE) improves endothelial dysfunction via activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and reduction of oxidative stress oxidase in vitro and in several animal models of cardiovascular diseases, and, if so, to elucidate the underlying mechanism. Altogether, the present findings indicate that LOE has vasoprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo including the Ang II-induced hypertention in rats, a type 2 diabetic mice model, and an atherosclerotic mice model, and a thromboembolism mice model, which involve its ability to stimulate the formation of NO, to reduce oxidative stress in the arterial wall, and to inhibit platelet aggregation. In conclusion, our studies reveal that LOE might be an interesting candidate as a cardiovascular protective herbal medicine in pathologies with endothelial dysfunction.

Introdução: A doença tromboembólica é um distúrbio complexo multicausal com sinais e sintomas inespecíficos, confundindo-se com outras enfermidades. Devido à sua gravidade buscam-se estratégias objetivando obter um diagnóstico precoce. O teste de dosagem do dímero - D plasmático parece ser uma alternativa para exclusão do diagnóstico de tromboembolismo venoso agudo. Objetivo: Avaliar o valor do teste de dosagem de dímero - D plasmático, utilizando o método Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA), na rotina diagnóstica de tromboembolismo venoso agudo. Métodos: Em 89 pacientes com sinais e sintomas sugestivos de tromboembolismo pulmonar e/ou trombose venosa profunda foram realizadas dosagens do dímero - D pela técnica ELFA no equipamento VIDAS® - BioMérieux. Foram calculados os valores da sensibilidade, especificidade, valores preditivos positivo e negativo e acurácia do teste, bem como a curva ROC da amostra estudada. Todos os pacientes foram submetidos a exame por imagem para confirmação do evento tromboembólico agudo. Foi calculado o índice kappa para analisar o resultado do teste dímero - D versus resultados de exames por imagem. Resultados: Entre os 89 pacientes estudados (média de idade 54,3 anos; 51 mulheres), 36 (40,4%) apresentaram TEV e 53 não apresentaram trombose aguda (59,6%). Entre os pacientes sem trombose aguda 15 (28,3%) apresentaram resultado de dímero - D negativo. Todos pacientes com trombose apresentaram resultado de dímero - D positivo. O teste apresentou sensibilidade de 100%; especificidade de 28,3%; valor preditivo positivo de 48,6%; valor preditivo negativo de 100% e exatidão de 57,3%. A ASC para a amostra total estudada foi igual a 0,734, indicando que o teste é um bom preditor de trombose aguda. O valor do índice kappa para a amostra total foi igual a 0,24 (p<0,001), indicando uma concordância fraca entre dímero - D e diagnóstico confirmatório de trombose. Conclusão: A dosagem do dímero - D pelo método ELFA foi capaz de excluir o diagnóstico de tromboembolismo venoso agudo nessa amostra estudada. Os resultados obtidos nessa amostra estudada permitiram concluir que o uso do teste dímero - D em pacientes com suspeita de tromboembolismo venoso revelou alta sensibilidade no diagnóstico dessa enfermidade. / Introduction: The thromboembolic disease is a multicausal complex disturb with signals and symptoms that confusing itself with other diseases. Because its gravity strategies search objecting to get a faster diagnosis. The measure plasmatic D dimer test seems to be an alternative for exclusion of the diagnostic of acute venous thromboembolism. Objectives: To evaluate the value of the measure plasmatic D dimer test, using the method Enzyme Linked Fluorescent Assay (ELFA), in the diagnostic of acute venous thromboembolism. Methods: In 89 patients with signals and symptoms suggestive of pulmonary thromboembolism and/or deep vein thrombosis had been carried through measure D dimer by technique ELFA equipment VIDAS® - BioMérieux. The values of sensibility, accuracy specificity, predictive values positive and negative and of the test had been calculated, as well as curve ROC of the sample studied. All the patients had been submitted the image exams for the confirmation of the acute thromboembolism event. It was calculated kappa ratio to compare D dimer test results with image exams results. Results: Between 89 studied patients (mean of age 54.3 years; 51 women), 36 (40.4%) they had presented and 53 had not presented acute thrombosis (59.6%). It enters the patients without acute thromboembolism 15 (28.3%) had presented resulted negative of D dimer. All patients with thrombosis had presented resulted positive of D dimer. The test presented 100% sensibility; 28.3% of specificity; positive predictive value was 48.6%; 100% of negative predictive value and accuracy value was 57.3%. The area under the curve (AUC) to total sample studied was 0.734, it was showed that the test have a good prediction to acute thrombosis. The kappa ratio value was 0.24 (p<0.001) showing a bad concordat n to thrombosis diagnostic. Conclusion: The measure of D dimer by method ELFA was able to exclude the diagnostic of acute venous thromboembolism in this sample studied. The results obtained in this sample studied let to conclude that the D dimer test in patients with suspected of acute thromboembolism presented high sensibility to diagnostic of this disease.