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Microvascular reconstructive surgery has seen a revival with the introduction of muscle-sparing perforator flaps. Recognition of potential ethnic differences in coagulation profiles would be important to a microvascular surgeon. Based on clinical observations, we hypothesize that Asian patients have a less thrombogenic coagulation profile than Caucasians. An extensive retrospective review was performed. The annual incidence of venous thromboembolism in the United States is generally accepted to range from 70 to 120 events per 100,000 people versus 16 to 17 events per 100,000 persons in Asia. Autopsy analysis of pulmonary embolism incidence was noted to be 15% in North Americans and less than 1% in Asian populations. Thromboelastography analysis of Asian and Caucasian patients undergoing cholecystectomy revealed different hemostatic mechanisms. Comparison of Asians and Caucasians undergoing the Fontan procedure revealed significantly lower postoperative factor levels in Asians than Caucasians. Baseline comparison of factor and serum levels revealed Asians with the least thrombogenic profiles compared with other ethnic groups. Asians and Caucasians demonstrate different baseline rates of deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, different hemostatic responses to surgery, and different baseline levels of clotting factors. Further study may lead to better pre-, intra-, and postoperative care of the free flap patient based on their ethnic coagulation profile.

Purpose To determine the risk of nephrogenic systemic fibrosis (NSF) in a cohort of patients with chronic liver disease. Materials and Methods This retrospective, Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant study was performed at a single tertiary liver center. The study cohort comprised 1167 patients with chronic liver disease followed in a liver clinic and exposed to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) between February 2004 and October 2007. A retrospective review of medical records was performed. For each patient, data were collected on demographics, history of GBCA exposure, presence of purported risk factors for NSF, and histopathological evidence of NSF. Results Of the 1167 patients with chronic liver disease, 58% (n = 678) had cirrhosis. The patients had a total of 2421 separate GBCA exposures. Fifty-five percent (n = 646) had a single exposure, 19% (n = 218) had two exposures, and 26% (n = 303) had three or more exposures. Seventy-two percent (n = 843) of patients had renal insufficiency, 25 patients (2.1%) had hepatorenal syndrome, 80 patients (6.8%) were in the perioperative liver transplant period, and 49 patients (4.2%) had one or more additional risk factors for NSF. None of the 1167 patients developed NSF. Conclusion Chronic liver disease does not appear to be a significant risk factor for NSF.

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