Living donor liver transplantation for hemophilia with special reference to the management of perioperative clotting factor replacement

Bleeding management: rFVIIIFc in hemophilia A and liver transplantation

BACKGROUND

In patients with severe hemophilia A prolonged bleeding may occur even in cases of minor trauma or surgery.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of a recombinant extended half-life (EHL) FVIII concentrate for perioperative bleeding management in a patient with severe hemophilia A undergoing liver transplantation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Prior to transplantation FVIII activity and perioperatively required FVIII supply were estimated. In an individualized approach efmoroctocog alfa was supplemented if the intrinsic clotting time in the thrombelastometry was > 170 s.

RESULTS

The patient perioperatively received a total of 28,000 IU efmoroctocog alfa. No signs of hemorrhage or complications were detected and no further intervention was necessary.

CONCLUSION

The present case demonstrates that the use of an EHL FVIII is suitable for a successful perioperative bleeding control even in hemophilia patients at a high bleeding risk during major surgery. Due to the EHL constant FVIII levels could be achieved with relatively few injections. In order to confirm the obtained results, more real-world data in different operative settings are essential. Further research is needed on the use of thrombelastometry to guide substitution of factor VIII perioperatively.

Clot waveform analysis for perioperative hemostatic monitoring in a hemophilia A patient on emicizumab undergoing liver transplantation

How to optimize perioperative factor VIII (FVIII) replacement through hemostatic monitoring is critically important to manage hemophilia A patients. The bispecific antibody emicizumab binds activated FIX (FIXa) and FX to functionally mimic FVIIIa. While being used for hemostatic control in hemophilia A, this therapeutic antibody inconveniently interferes with coagulation tests using human FIXa and FX, such as activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and FVIII activity measurement based on one-stage clotting assays. Clot waveform analysis (CWA) extends the interpretation of measurement curves for coagulation time to provide global information. We performed APTT-CWA to monitor perioperative hemostasis in a hemophilia A patient on emicizumab undergoing liver transplantation. Plasma samples were treated with anti-idiotype monoclonal antibodies against emicizumab to enable accurate coagulation assays. Kinetics of maximum coagulation velocity and acceleration mimicked that of FVIII activity. These CWA parameters better correlated with FVIII activity than APTT. The plateaus of them were observed at FVIII activity of 100% or more, supporting the protocol for perioperative FVIII replacement. Thus, CWA may measure coagulation potential in hemophilia A patients undergoing liver transplantation, aiding in optimizing perioperative hemostasis.

Viral hepatitis in haemophilia: historical perspective and current management

The introduction of clotting factor concentrates has substantially improved the lives of people with clotting factor deficiencies. Unfortunately, the transmission of blood-borne viral infections through these plasma-derived products led to a huge epidemic of human immunodeficiency virus and viral hepatitis in people with haemophilia (PWH). In a significant proportion of PWH exposed to these viruses, the ensuing decades-long chronic infection resulted in excess morbidity and mortality. Fortunately, developments in the safety of blood products, as well as vaccination and highly effective antiviral treatments have improved the prospects of PWH. The present article reviews the background of the viral hepatitis epidemic in PWH, the natural history of hepatitis B and C infections and their long-term management.

Living donor domino liver transplantation in a hepatitis C virus/human immunodeficiency virus-coinfected hemophilia patient: a case report

Background

Outcome of the liver transplantation (LT) is worse in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-coinfected patients compared to patients infected with HCV alone. We report the world’s first case of living donor domino liver transplantation (LDDLT) using a familial amyloid polyneuropathy (FAP) liver in a coinfected recipient with HCV-related liver cirrhosis.

Case presentation

The recipient was a 43-year-old male with a CD4 cell count of 52/μL and undetectable HIV-RNA at the time of LT. He received a domino liver graft from a 41-year-old female with FAP. No acute cellular rejection or infection occurred after LT. HCV recurrence was confirmed histologically on the posttransplant day 34. Peginterferon/ribavirin therapy resulted in non-response; however, the patient achieved a sustained viral response with sofosbuvir (SOF)/ledipasvir (LDV). Currently, HCV and HIV testing are negative, and symptomatic de novo amyloidosis has not occurred.

Conclusions

LDDLT allows successful LT in HCV/HIV-coinfected patients; posttransplant HCV recurrence can be successfully treated with anti-viral therapy.

Second Case of Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation in a Patient Co-infected with HIV and HCV in Japan: Special Reference to the Management of Complicated Coagulopathy Due to a Diverse Spectrum of Preformed Anti-HLA Antibodies

We report the second case of deceased donor liver transplantation in a patient co-infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) in Japan. A 48-year-old patient with hemophilia A was infected with HIV and HCV through contaminated factor VIII concentrate in his childhood and developed cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. The patient was on the transplant list for a deceased donor liver. The patient had broad spectrum anti-HLA class I and II antibodies, which may be attributed to repeated whole blood transfusions in the past. Catastrophic coagulopathy during the surgery was predicted because of the underlying hemophilic status and severe thrombocytopenia requiring HLA-matched platelet products, which are difficult to obtain quickly. To maintain adequate platelet counts (> 5 × 10⁴/µL) while awaiting liver transplantation, a thrombopoietin receptor agonist and rituximab were administered. During surgery, factor VIII concentrate was administered according to a previously planned protocol. Adequate hemostasis was obtained, and the operation was completed without uncontrollable coagulopathy. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 41. Detailed planning is required for surgical patients with hemophilia and HIV/HCV cirrhosis, especially for those with a diverse spectrum of anti-HLA antibodies.

The Liver That Cured Christmas: Case Report of Orthotopic Liver Transplant in a Patient with Hemophilia B

Herein, we discuss a case of a 39-year-old male with hemophilia B, who developed end-stage liver disease secondary to nonalcoholic steatohepatitis, that underwent orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) as a curative means for his liver disease and coagulation disorder. Existing case reports have demonstrated favorable outcomes in patients outside of the United States who received continuous infusions of recombinant factor IX replacement in the perioperative setting after liver transplant. Given limitations in the stability of the recombinant factor IX products in the United States, a dosing strategy was comprised of once daily bolus dosing to achieve satisfactory factor IX levels. Within 48 hours of initial surgery, the patient had sustained factor IX levels above 70% of normal and the patient required no further dosing of factor IX products to date. This strategy helped facilitate less frequent dosing as well as achieved targeted factor levels while synthetic function of the transplanted liver recovered.

Anesthesia management of arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis for a hemophilia patient after living-donor liver transplantation

Hemophilia is an X-linked recessive inherited coagulation disorder. We report the anesthesia management of a hemophilia patient who underwent arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis after living-donor liver transplantation due to cirrhosis. The 35-year-old male patient with hemophilia B was diagnosed with cirrhosis due to hepatitis C virus at the age of 23 years and underwent biologically-related partial liver transplantation at the age of 29 years. As a result, the activity of factor IX activity became normal and blood product treatment became unnecessary, but the patient required long-term immunosuppression. Perioperative coagulation factor activity monitoring was performed and an immunosuppressive drug that had been preoperatively administered were continued. General anesthesia was administered by inhalation. There was no significant fluctuation in perioperative factor IX activity. This case illustrates that even in patients with hemophilia B after living-donor liver transplantation undergoing an orthopedic surgical procedure, anesthesia management can safely be performed without perioperative coagulation factor replacement.

Orthotropic live transplantation for cirrhosis from hepatitis C virus leads to correction of factor IX deficiency allowing for ankle arthroplasty without factor replacement in a patient with moderate haemophilia B

: Liver transplantation is one of the treatments for haemophilic patients having severe liver cirrhosis who are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Patients with haemophilia can develop arthroplasty requiring surgical intervention, and the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing such procedures after liver transplant has not been reported. Treatment for arthropathy is important for improving the quality of life for patients who survive after liver transplantation. We report the first case of ankle arthroscopic arthrodesis in a patient with haemophilia B after undergoing living donor liver transplantation. We carefully monitored the patient's factor IX (FIX) plasma levels during his perioperative period, and we successfully performed his arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis without administration of any additional FIX concentrates. Our case has demonstrated the feasibility of joint surgery after liver transplantation without administration of additional clotting factors while monitoring FIX activity.