Jørgen Ingerslev

Update on the pathophysiology and classification of von Willebrand disease: a report of the Subcommittee on von Willebrand Factor

Summary.  von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a bleeding disorder caused by inherited defects in the concentration, structure, or function of von Willebrand factor (VWF). VWD is classified into three primary categories. Type 1 includes partial quantitative deficiency, type 2 includes qualitative defects, and type 3 includes virtually complete deficiency of VWF. VWD type 2 is divided into four secondary categories. Type 2A includes variants with decreased platelet adhesion caused by selective deficiency of high‐molecular‐weight VWF multimers. Type 2B includes variants with increased affinity for platelet glycoprotein Ib. Type 2M includes variants with markedly defective platelet adhesion despite a relatively normal size distribution of VWF multimers. Type 2N includes variants with markedly decreased affinity for factor VIII. These six categories of VWD correlate with important clinical features and therapeutic requirements. Some VWF gene mutations, alone or in combination, have complex effects and give rise to mixed VWD phenotypes. Certain VWD types, especially type 1 and type 2A, encompass several pathophysiologic mechanisms that sometimes can be distinguished by appropriate laboratory studies. The clinical significance of this heterogeneity is under investigation, which may support further subdivision of VWD type 1 or type 2A in the future.

Recombinant activated factor VII for adjunctive hemorrhage control in trauma.

BACKGROUND Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) was approved for treatment of hemorrhages in patients with hemophilia who develop inhibitors to factors VIII or IX. Conditions with increased thromboembolic risk, including trauma with or without disseminated intravascular coagulation, were considered a contraindication for the drug. The mechanism of action of rFVIIa suggests enhancement of hemostasis limited to the site of injury without systemic activation of the coagulation cascade. Therefore, use of the drug in trauma patients suffering uncontrolled hemorrhage appears to be rational. METHODS Seven massively bleeding, multitransfused (median, 40 units [range, 25-49 units] of packed cells), coagulopathic trauma patients were treated with rFVIIa (median, 120 microg/kg [range, 120-212 microg/kg]) after failure of conventional measures to achieve hemostasis. RESULTS Administration of rFVIIa resulted in cessation of the diffuse bleed, with significant decrease of blood requirements to 2 units (range, 1-2 units) of packed cells (p < 0.05); shortening of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time from 24 seconds (range, 20-31.8 seconds) to 10.1 seconds (range, 8-12 seconds) (p < 0.005) and 79 seconds (range, 46-110 seconds) to 41 seconds (range, 28-46 seconds) (p < 0.05), respectively; and an increase of FVII level from 0.7 IU/mL (range, 0.7-0.92 IU/mL) to 23.7 IU/mL (range, 18-44 IU/mL) (p < 0.05). Three of the seven patients died of reasons other than bleeding or thromboembolism. CONCLUSION The results of this report suggest that in trauma patients rFVIIa may play a role as an adjunctive hemostatic measure, in addition to surgical hemostatic techniques, and provides the motivation for controlled animal and clinical trials.

A quantitative analysis of bleeding symptoms in type 1 von Willebrand disease: results from a multicenter European study (MCMDM‐1 VWD)

Summary.  Background: A quantitative description of bleeding symptoms in type 1 von Willebrand disease (VWD) has never been reported. Objectives: The aim was to quantitatively evaluate the severity of bleeding symptoms in type 1 VWD and its correlation with clinical and laboratory features. Patients and methods: Bleeding symptoms were retrospectively recorded in a European cohort of VWD type 1 families, and for each subject a quantitative bleeding score (BS) was obtained together with phenotypic tests. Results: A total of 712 subjects belonging to 144 families and 195 controls were available for analysis. The BS was higher in index cases than in affected family members (BS 9 vs. 5, P < 0.0001) and in unaffected family members than in controls (BS 0 vs. −1, P < 0.0001). There was no effect of ABO blood group. BS showed a strong significant inverse relation with either von Willebrand ristocetin cofactor (VWF:RCo), von Willebrand antigen (VWF:Ag) or factor VIII procoagulant activity (FVIII:C) measured at time of enrollment, even after adjustment for age, sex and blood group (P < 0.001 for all the four upper quintiles of BS vs. the first quintile, for either VWF:RCo, VWF:Ag or FVIII:C). Higher BS was related with increasing likelihood of VWD, and a mucocutaneous BS (computed from spontaneous, mucocutaneous symptoms) was strongly associated with bleeding after surgery or tooth extraction. Conclusions: Quantitative analysis of bleeding symptoms is potentially useful for a more accurate diagnosis of type 1 VWD and to develop guidelines for its optimal treatment.

Whole blood coagulation thrombelastographic profiles employing minimal tissue factor activation

Summary.  We investigated whole blood coagulation by thrombelastography (TEG) employing activation with minute amounts of tissue factor (TF). Continuous raw data captured were transformed into novel parameters, such as the maximum velocity (MaxVel) and the time to maximum velocity (t,MaxVel) of whole blood clot formation. The courses of the whole blood clot development were very similar to thrombin generation curves reported in plasma. In this assay healthy women (n = 30) showed an earlier onset and an increased coagulation velocity compared to healthy men (n = 30). In patients with severe hemophilia, and persons undergoing thromboprophylaxis, distinctly abnormal coagulation profiles were observed with a decrease in the MaxVel, as well as a prolonged t,MaxVel. Changes appeared to be dependent on the nature and severity of the hemostatic deficit. Preliminary studies in patients substituted with recombinant factor VIIa demonstrated a marked change in the coagulation profile, in which the MaxVel and t,MaxVel shifted towards normal in a dose‐dependent way. Data suggest that the whole blood coagulation TEG profile, following activation with minute amounts of TF, may reflect the hemostatic potential in patients suspected of impaired hemostasis.

Fibrinogen concentrate substitution therapy in patients with massive haemorrhage and low plasma fibrinogen concentrations

BACKGROUND Patients experiencing massive haemorrhage are at high risk of developing coagulopathy through loss, consumption, and dilution of coagulation factors and platelets. It has been reported that plasma fibrinogen concentrations may reach a critical low level relatively early during bleeding, calling for replacement fibrinogen therapy. Cryoprecipitate has been widely used in the past, but more recently, a pasteurized fibrinogen concentrate has become available. We audited the effects of fibrinogen concentrate therapy on laboratory and clinical outcome in patients with massive haemorrhage. METHODS We identified 43 patients over the previous 2 yr to whom a fibrinogen concentrate had been administered as treatment for hypofibrinogenaemia during serious haemorrhage. Platelet count, P-fibrinogen, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT), D-dimer, and volume of blood lost were obtained from medical and laboratory records. Numbers of units of red blood cells (RBC), fresh frozen plasma (FFP), and pooled platelet concentrates were recorded before and after fibrinogen substitution. RESULTS A significant increase in plasma fibrinogen concentration was observed after fibrinogen concentrate therapy. Platelet counts and fibrin D-dimer values remained unchanged, whereas the APTT and PT improved significantly. Requirements for RBC, FFP, and platelets were significantly reduced. Blood loss decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS Off-label substitution therapy with a fibrinogen concentrate generally improved global laboratory coagulation results and as supplementary intervention, appeared to diminish the requirements for RBC, FFP, and platelet substitution in this patient cohort.

Fibrinogen substitution improves whole blood clot firmness after dilution with hydroxyethyl starch in bleeding patients undergoing radical cystectomy: a randomized, placebo- controlled clinical trial

Summary.  Background: Infusion of artificial colloids such as hydroxyethyl starch (HES) induces coagulopathy to a greater extent than simple dilution. Several studies have suggested that the coagulopathy could be corrected by substitution with a fibrinogen concentrate. Objectives: The aims of the present prospective, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial were to investigate the hemostatic effect of a fibrinogen concentrate after coagulopathy induced by hydroxyethyl starch in patients experiencing sudden excessive bleeding during elective cystectomy. Methods: Twenty patients were included. Blood loss was substituted 1:1 with HES 130/0.4. At a dilution level of 30%, patients were randomly selected for intra‐operative administration of a fibrinogen concentrate or placebo. The primary endpoint was maximum clot firmness (MCF), as assessed by thromboelastometry. Secondary endpoints were blood loss and transfusion requirements, other thromboelastometry parameters, thrombin generation and platelet function. Results: Whole‐blood MCF was significantly reduced after 30% dilution in vivo with HES. The placebo resulted in a further decline of the MCF, whereas randomized administration of fibrinogen significantly increased the MCF. Furthermore, only 2 out of 10 patients randomly chosen to receive fibrinogen substitution required postoperative red blood cell transfusions, compared with 8 out of 10 in the placebo group (P = 0.023). Platelet function and thrombin generation were reduced after 30% hemodilution in vivo, and fibrinogen administration caused no significant changes. Conclusions: During cystectomy, fluid resuscitation with HES 130/0.4 during sudden excessive bleeding induces coagulopathy that shows reduced whole‐blood maximum clot firmness. Randomized administration of fibrinogen concentrate significantly improved maximum clot firmness and reduced the requirement for postoperative transfusion.

Clinical experience with recombinant factor VIIa.

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) represents a major therapeutic advance in the treatment of haemophilia patients with inhibitors. The efficacy and safety of rFVIIa has been extensively studied in over 1900 surgical and non-surgical bleeding episodes in over 400 patients with haemophilia A or B (with or without inhibitors) or acquired haemophilia. Of 103 evaluable surgical bleeding episodes, the response to treatment with rFVIIa was considered to be either excellent or effective in 81%, 86% and 92% of major, minor and dental bleeding episodes, respectively. Treatment has been evaluated in 518 serious bleeding episodes and the response was considered either excellent or effective in 62% of muscle, 80% of ear, nose and throat, 88% of central nervous system, 76% of joint, and 75% of internal or retroperitoneal bleeding episodes. An excellent safety profile has also been demonstrated: of 1957 treatments with rFVIIa, only 16 serious adverse events have been reported that were considered to be possibly, but not necessarily, related to treatment.

Coagulation factor activity and clinical bleeding severity in rare bleeding disorders: results from the European Network of Rare Bleeding Disorders

Summary.  Background:  The European Network of Rare Bleeding Disorders (EN‐RBD) was established to bridge the gap between knowledge and practise in the care of patients with RBDs.

Whole blood clot formation phenotypes in hemophilia A and rare coagulation disorders. Patterns of response to recombinant factor VIIa

Summary.  Until now, no routinely used clotting assay has demonstrated the power to reflect significantly a patients response to recombinant factor (rF)VIIa. Adopting a thrombelastographic principle, profiles of continuous whole blood (WB) coagulation were studied in minimally altered WB activated with a small amount of tissue factor (TF). Investigation of the WB clotting profile was performed before and after ex vivo addition of rFVIIa 20 nm to WB from 26 patients with hemophilia A, two patients with severe hemophilia B, and individuals with deficiencies of FV, FX, FXI, and FXIII. In five patients with hemophilia plus inhibitors, the response to ex vivo added rFVIIa and to activated complex concentrate (APCC) was studied. Patients with severe and moderate hemophilia A demonstrated remarkable variance in the hemostatic characteristics at baseline, even in groups with the same FVIII:C activity levels. The response to rFVIIa at 20 nm also varied extensively, the effect correlating with the continuous WB coagulation phenotype at baseline. This indicates that the efficacy of rFVIIa may be optimized by tailoring the dose according to the hemostatic response to varying doses tested prior to in vivo administration. In patients with inhibitors against FVIII and factor IX, rFVIIa and APCC substitution resulted in quite similar response patterns that appeared to be dose dependent. In severe FV, FX, and FXIII‐deficient WB, rFVIIa addition induced minor changes only. In FXI deficiency, rFVIIa normalized the dynamic properties of clotting, although a reduced clot firmness remained unchanged. In conclusion, the thrombelastographic analysis of WB clotting, as activated with a minute amount of TF, seems an interesting method that detects phenotypic variation amongst hemophilia patients. The method appears useful for assessment of the hemostatic capacity and it seems a promising tool for evaluation of the individual response to rFVIIa or APCC before and during in vivo administration.

Mechanisms of hydroxyethyl starch‐induced dilutional coagulopathy

Summary.  Background: The biochemical mechanisms causing dilutional coagulopathy following infusion of hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 (HES) are not known in detail. Objectives: To give a detailed biochemical description of the mechanism of coagulopathy following 30%in vivo dilution with HES, to present a systematic ex vivo test of various hemostatic agents, and to investigate the hypothesis that acquired fibrinogen deficiency constitutes the most important determinant of the coagulopathy. Methods: Dynamic whole blood clot formation assessed by thromboelastometry, platelet count, thrombin generation, and the activities of von Willebrand factor, coagulation factor II, FVII, FVIII, FIX, FX and FXIII were measured in 20 bleeding patients enrolled in a prospective clinical study investigating in vivo substitution of blood loss with HES up to a target level of 30%. Thromboelastometry parameters were further evaluated after ex vivo spiking experiments with fibrinogen, prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), FXIII, activated recombinant FVIIa (rFVIIa), fresh frozen plasma, and platelets. Results: Hemodilution reduced maximum clot firmness (MCF), whereas whole blood clotting time (CT) and maximum velocity remained unaffected. All coagulation factor activities were reduced. Fibrinogen, FII, FXIII and FX activities decreased significantly below the levels expected from dilution. The endogenous thrombin potential was unchanged. Ex vivo addition of fibrinogen normalized the reduced MCF and increased the maximum velocity, whereas PCC, rFVIIa and platelets shortened the CT but showed no effect on the reduced MCF. Conclusions: Acquired fibrinogen deficiency seems to be the leading determinant in dilutional coagulopathy, and ex vivo addition corrected the coagulopathy completely.