 |
|
Volume 7, Number 4 |
|
| Chocolate or aspirin? Cocoa as thromboprophylactic agent |
Louisa Brown MBBS Medical Student; Nichola Biggs MBBS Medical Student; Timothy Farren BSc (Hons) AIBMS Medical Laboratory Scientific Officer; Cedric Ghevaert MD MRCP DipRCPath Specialist Registrar in Haematology; Denise O’Shaughnessy DPhil MBA FRCP FRCPath Consultant Haematologist, Southampton General Hospital, Southampton |
Cocoa has recently been shown to have an antiplatelet activity. It is thought that this effect is mediated by the flavonoids contained in chocolate, which have aspirin-like properties. If these findings are confirmed, chocolate could potentially be used as an alternative to aspirin in thromboprophylaxis. This idea would be especially attractive in situations such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT) prevention in air passengers. |
|
| The anticoagulated patient undergoing dental surgery |
Pippa K Blacklock FDSRCS Staff Grade, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Derriford Hospital, Plymouth |
Many of the large numbers of patients on warfarin still have their own dentition and continue to require dental treatment. However, recent changes in guidelines and differences in advice offered by the varied involved specialties often leads to confusion and a lack of consensus in the management of this group of patients. |
|
| Venous thromboembolic events and malignancy – a varied approach |
Myles Bradbury MRCPCH Specialist Registrar Haematology, City Hospital, Birmingham |
Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common problem in patients with malignancy and is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. It also appears to be a more aggressive disease process when compared with thrombosis in patients without malignancy. Despite its negative effect on outcome, the perceived risk, prevention and treatment of VTE varies among different specialties treating malignancy and among peers. |
|
| Thrombosis in PNH and PV |
Peter Rose, Editor |
Just as most physicians can recall the only case of phaeochromocytoma presented to them, so most haematologists find immense satisfaction in diagnosing paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH). |
|
| Beware the superwarfarins |
Malcolm Tait FCPATH (Haem) SA Haematologist, University Hospitals, Warwick and Coventry |
With the number of rodents increasing during summer and with the extended period of warm weather experienced in the UK last summer, there has been a significant increase in the rodent population. Consequently, the use of rodenticides has risen, with an estimated 70% of UK farms now using them. |
|
