Typical clinical manifestations of colonic ischemia include rapid onset of mild abdominal pain and tenderness over the affected bowel, followed by a mild amount of hematochezia within a day of the onset of pain. Most patients have transient, nongangrenous ischemia, but some have severe ischemia.

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The diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) can be challenging. The HIT Expert Probability (HEP) Score has recently been proposed to aid in the diagnosis of HIT. We sought to externally and prospectively validate the HEP score. We prospectively assessed pre-test probability of HIT for 51 consecutive patients referred to our Consultative Service for evaluation of possible HIT between August 1, 2012 and February 1, 2013. Two Vascular Medicine fellows independently applied the 4T and HEP scores for each patient. Two independent HIT expert adjudicators rendered a diagnosis of HIT likely or unlikely. The median (interquartile range) of 4T and HEP scores were 4.5 (3.0, 6.0) and 5 (3.0, 8.5), respectively. There were no significant differences between area under receiver-operating characteristic curves of 4T and HEP scores against the gold standard, confirmed HIT [defined as positive serotonin release assay and positive anti-PF4/heparin ELISA] (0.74 vs 0.73, p = 0.97). HEP score ≥ 2 was 100 % sensitive and 16 % specific for determining the presence of confirmed HIT while a 4T score > 3 was 93 % sensitive and 35 % specific. In conclusion, the HEP and 4T scores are excellent screening pre-test probability models for HIT, however, in this prospective validation study, test characteristics for the diagnosis of HIT based on confirmatory laboratory testing and expert opinion are similar. Given the complexity of the HEP scoring model compared to that of the 4T score, further validation of the HEP score is warranted prior to widespread clinical acceptance.

BackgroundIn patients with non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA) with a potent P2Y12 inhibitor, ticagrelor, was inferior to tirofiban infusion at 2 hours, indicating that glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors are still needed. Ticagrelor and eptifibatide bolus only may maximally inhibit platelet aggregation and decrease bleeding, but IPA with ticagrelor and eptifibatide bolus versus 2‐hour infusion is unknown.Methods and ResultsA total of 70 P2Y12‐naïve patients, with high‐risk non‐ST‐segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, were randomized to ticagrelor and eptifibatide bolus (group 1) versus ticagrelor and eptifibatide bolus with 2‐hour infusion (group 2). Levels of IPA with ADP, thrombin receptor‐activating peptide, collagen, and high on‐treatment platelet reactivity were measured by light transmission aggregometry at baseline and at 2, 6, and 24 hours after percutaneous coronary intervention in both groups. The primary end point, IPA with ADP 20 μmol/L at 2 hours, was 99.59±0.43% in group 1 versus 99.88±1.0% in group 2 (P<0.001 for noninferiority). High on‐treatment platelet reactivity with ADP was zero at 2, 6, and 24 hours in both groups. IPA levels with ADP, thrombin receptor‐activating peptide, and collagen were significantly higher at 2 and 6 hours than at 24 hours in both groups. Periprocedural myocardial infarction was not significantly different between the groups. Hemoglobin level was significantly less at 24 hours versus baseline in group 2 (13.35±1.8 versus 12.38±1.8 g/dL, respectively; P<0.01).ConclusionsTicagrelor and eptifibatide bolus maximally inhibited platelet aggregation at 2 hours, which was associated with no significant hemoglobin drop after percutaneous coronary intervention. This obviates the need for eptifibatide 2‐hour infusion and might decrease bleeding complications.Clinical Trial Registration URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01919723.

Arterial and venous thromboembolisms have long been associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. We present a patient with aortic arch thrombosis embolizing to the left lower extremity during hospitalization for active ulcerative colitis (UC). The limb was preserved following emergent embolectomy. Thrombophilia was attributed to UC, as hypercoagulable testing was negative. IBD is certainly a hypercoagulable state, and aggressive thromboembolism prevention should be considered for hospitalized patients with active disease.