
Quick Start Insertion of Mirena and ParaGard
BleedingCramping3 moreIntrauterine devices (IUDs) are an effective form of contraception, but only about 3.4% of women in the US report using them. Women must often wait for their menses to start, or for results of screening for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), before their doctors will place IUDs for them. This is not the case with other birth control methods. Researchers know that it is safe to start oral contraceptive pills, transdermal patches or vaginal rings on the same day of a doctor's visit. In the investigators clinical practice, the investigators often place IUDs on the same day of a woman's visit, but outcomes have not been formally assessed. Currently, there are two kinds of IUDs available in the United States: the ParaGard T380A and the Mirena levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS). The investigators want to know if women who have IUDs placed at any time during their menstrual cycle have different experiences regarding the following, compared to those who have IUDS placed during the first 7 days of their cycle: bleeding or cramping patterns, active pelvic infections, becoming pregnant more often during that first cycle (window pregnancy). Women who come to their provider seeking an IUD for birth control will be asked to participate in this study. The investigators will ask them to keep track of their bleeding and cramping for three subsequent months to see if patterns differ according to the day in their menstrual cycle that the device was inserted. They will be randomly assigned either to record this information on paper, or to send in the information by responding to daily text messages. The investigators want to know if women who have an IUD placed at any time during the menstrual cycle have different outcomes compared to those who have IUDs placed during the first 7 days of their cycle. If the investigators have this information, the investigators can make recommendations to physicians, help counsel patients, and potentially expand access to IUDs.

Dexmedetomidine and Subarachnoid Haemorrhage
Subarachnoid HemorrhageAneurysmThe purpose of this study is to investigate how dexmedetomidine affects static and dynamic autoregulation, intracranial pressure (ICP) and cerebral oxygenation in aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) patients.

Desmopressin (DDAVP) in Patients With Colorectal Cancer and Rectal Bleeding
Colorectal CancerRectal BleedingThe objective of this study is to find the maximum tolerated dose and preliminary efficacy of desmopressin as an haemostatic agent, when is administered to patients with colorectal cancer and rectal bleeding, before specific oncologic treatment with surgery and/or chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.

The Swedish Birth Seat Trial
Instrumental Vaginal BirthsOxytocin Augmentation for Labor3 moreThe purpose of this study is to determine whether birth on a birthing seat will effect numbers of instrumentally assisted vaginal births, vaginal traumas, blood loss,use of artificial oxytocin for labour augmentation and fetal outcomes.

Point of Care Coagulation Testing in Patients Undergoing Major Surgery
Blood LossSurgicalBleeding is a frequent complication during surgery. The peri-operative administration of blood products, including packed red blood cells, thrombocytes and fresh frozen plasma (FFP), is often deemed necessary. Therefore the transfusion of allogenic blood products mandates strategies to optimize the clinical decision to transfuse. The decision to administer FFP is usually made in the absence of any data. Point of care testing of prothrombin time ensures that a major parameter of coagulation is readily available. The test is fast, easy to perform, inexpensive and may enable physicians to rationally determine the need for FFP. Objective of the study is to determine the effectiveness of point of care coagulation testing of prothrombin time to reduce the administration of FFP.

Platelet Function And Aggregometry In Patients With Aortic Valve Stenosis
HemorrhageIt is known that patients with aortic stenosis, including those undergoing cardiac surgery for this problem, are prone to developing bleeding problems, particularly of the gastrointestinal tract. It is believed that the shear stress associated with blood flow through the abnormal aortic valve results in abnormal hemostasis. Abnormalities include increased proteolysis of the von Willebrand factor (vWF) and increased binding of the high molecular weight multimers of vWF to platelet membranes with subsequent inappropriate platelet aggregation. Thus, appropriate aggregation of circulating platelets is impaired. Cardiac surgery is associated with significant alterations in hemostasis. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery consume a significant percent of available blood products throughout the United States and are subjected to various and numerous risks associated with blood product transfusion. In addition, excessive postoperative bleeding is a common cause for the need to surgically re-explore the chest cavity in patients who have just undergone cardiac surgical procedures. Such additional surgery carries further cost and risk. Following surgical correction of aortic valve stenotic pathology, associated vWF abnormalities appear to reverse. However, this process can take several days. Although all cardiac surgical patients are at risk for postoperative bleeding, patients undergoing aortic valve surgery for aortic stenosis may be particularly at risk for this postoperative complication. In addition, patients with aortic valve stenosis who undergo noncardiac surgery may have a predisposition to bleeding because of similar underlying shear stress induced abnormal vWF and platelet function. The proposed study is a trial to evaluate the effectiveness of 2 different antifibrinolytic drugs in ameliorating the hemostatic defect associated with aortic stenosis. Aprotonin, an antifibrinolytic agent which also has platelet preserving actions4, will be compared to the currently used anti-fibrinolytic, epsilon aminocaproic acid (EACA).

The Effect of IVA for Preventing Postvitrectomy Hemorrhage in PDR
Proliferative Diabetic RetinopathyAflibercept, a recombinant fusion antibody that binds to all subtypes of VEGF and PlGF, has been shown to induce effective regression of retinal neovascularization secondary to PDR but there had been lack of a well-structured prospective study about adjunctive use of intravitreal injection of Aflibercept (IVA) to reduce postoperative VH in PPV for PDR. In this study, we aim to assess the effect of preoperative IVA on the incidence of postoperative VH after PPV for PDR.

Evaluating the Effects of SMS Text Messaging Support System Among Frontline Health Workers in Ghana...
Maternal DeathNeonatal Death8 moreIntroduction Maternal and neonatal mortality continue to be to be prominent public health issues in sub Saharan Africa including Ghana, with slow progress made towards attainment of Millennium Development Goals (MDG) 4 & 5. Studies have identified poor quality of maternal and child healthcare as a major challenge to the prevention of neonatal and maternal deaths. Effective interventions are required to make significant inroads in these areas. Objective To evaluate the effect of a SMS text messaging intervention to support clinical decision making by frontline health care professionals on neonatal and maternal mortality. Methods We propose to conduct a randomized controlled trial in the Eastern region of Ghana, involving 8 intervention and 8 control districts. The intervention consists of text messaging of standard protocols for maternal and neonatal care to front line health care providers in the region. A total of 17,040 pregnant women who are receiving care (including antenatal, delivery and post-natal) at any of the hospitals in the selected districts in the region will be monitored through monthly aggregate data on outcome measures such as neonatal and maternal deaths from eclampsia, postpartum haemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, birth asphyxia, low birth weight and neonatal sepsis. Cord sepsis will also be included as neonatal sepsis for this study. Also, a quality of care assessment in four sampled districts to measure adherence to the safe motherhood protocol will be conducted. Stata software package.55 and MLwiN software version 2.2456 will be employed in data analysis. Descriptive analysis will be carried out to explore baseline characteristics of study groups while logistic regression will be applied to evaluate the effect of the intervention. A two-tailed statistical significant level of 0.05 will be used. Expected outcome We hypothesize that the intervention will improve both maternal and neonatal service delivery and health outcomes in the intervention areas.

Determine the Most Effective Intervention for Hemorrhage Control Readiness for Laypersons: The PATTS...
Traumatic HemorrhageThis is a randomized controlled study evaluating the ability of laypersons to correctly apply a tourniquet using different instructional methods. There are four arms being evaluated: flashcards, audio-kit with visual aids, formal in person Bleeding Control Basic (B-Con) course, and a control arm. All participants will then undergo B-Con training at the end of each session and then participants will be evaluated within a 3-6 month time period to evaluate their retention of knowledge and skills taught by the B-Con course.

Safety and Effect of SANGUINATE™ Infusion in Patients at Risk of Delayed Cerebral Ischemia (DCI)...
Cerebral IschemiaSafety and effect of SANGUINATE on patients DCI following SAH.