Cardiovascular risk factors among adult patients with haemophilia

Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Patients with Congenital Hemophilia: A Focus on Hypertension

Aging hemophiliacs face cardiovascular disease. Lots of evidence has been gathered that hemophiliacs have a more unfavorable cardiovascular profile than the general population does, especially due to the increased prevalence of hypertension (HTN). Among the existing scattered evidence, our study provides the most comprehensive and systematized analysis of the determinants of HTN in hemophiliacs. We discussed the contribution to the HTN substrate of hemophilia-specific factors, such as type, severity and the presence of inhibitors. The complex mechanism of kidney dysfunction in relation to hematuria and viral infections was meticulously addressed. Furthermore, we highlighted the new pathogenic concepts of endothelial dysfunction and the association between HTN and hemophilic arthropathy. The clustering of cardiovascular risk factors is common in hemophiliacs, and it enhances the negative vascular effect of HTN and aggravates HTN. It usually leads to an increased risk for coronary and cerebrovascular events. Our work provides reliable evidence to guide and improve the management of HTN in hemophiliacs.

Current Therapeutic Approach to Atrial Fibrillation in Patients with Congenital Hemophilia

Cardiovascular disease in hemophiliacs has an increasing prevalence due to the aging of this population. Hemophiliacs are perceived as having a high bleeding risk due to the coagulation factor VIII/IX deficiency, but it is currently acknowledged that they also have an important ischemic risk. The treatment of atrial fibrillation (AF) is particularly challenging since it usually requires anticoagulant treatment. The CHA2DS2-VASc score is used to estimate the risk of stroke and peripheral embolism, and along with the severity of hemophilia, guide the therapeutic strategy. Our work provides the most complete, structured, and updated analysis of the current therapeutic approach of AF in hemophiliacs, emphasizing that there is a growing interest in therapeutic strategies that allow for short-term anticoagulant therapy. Catheter ablation and left atrial appendage occlusion have proven to be efficient and safe procedures in hemophiliacs, if appropriate replacement therapy can be provided.

Clinical burden of hemophilia in older adults: Beyond bleeding risk

The prospect of hemophilia patients has dramatically improved in the last few decades with the introduction of various interventions that can effectively treat or prevent their bleeding risk. The life expectancy of patients can now reach that of the healthy population, but this has paved the way for several previously unrecognized morbidities to manifest in older adults with hemophilia. Such clinical complications are attributed to suboptimal management or poor access to effective therapy during childhood as well as chronicity and prolonged exposure to the underlying pathophysiology of the disease and its treatment. Complications common in the aging population are also becoming increasingly relevant in this vulnerable patient subgroup. In this review, we highlight peculiarities of such morbidities including chronic viral infections and liver disease, debilitating joint impairment and bone disease, cardiovascular and chronic kidney disease, and cancers. We also reflect on topics of special interest in adulthood such as sexuality.

Promoting Sports Practice in Persons with Hemophilia: A Survey of Clinicians' Perspective

Historically, people with hemophilia have been warned to avoid physical activities as a possible cause of bleeding; however, currently, sport is considered necessary, especially in the developmental age, for providing a good quality of life. A survey was proposed to a group of hematologists and sports physicians working in Puglia, Italy, to explore their approach to physical activities for their patients with hemophilia and to obtain suggestions about possible interventions to promote the access of patients to sports. The survey was answered by 6 hematologists and 15 sports physicians. In total, 71% (about six patients/year/physician) of patients with hemophilia seen by sports physicians asked for counseling about sports, and 67% (about five patients/year/physician) actually practiced sports. On the other hand, only 31% (about 16 patients/year/hematologist) of patients asked hematologists questions on sports, and only 16% (about seven patients/year/hematologist) of patients with hemophilia and that were followed-up by hematologists practiced sports. The sports most often recommended to patients with hemophilia by physicians included swimming, athletics, tennis, running and gymnastics. According to hematologists, physical activity was very efficient in improving the quality of life of patients; stability of joints; their psychological, social and musculoskeletal wellbeing; and in reducing the risk of bleedings. On the other hand, physical activity was considered less important in all these areas by sport physicians. In conclusion, answers to this survey suggested that sports could be promoted among hemophilic patients by increasing the sports physicians' knowledge about hemophilia and their special role in this area. In addition, interviewed clinicians were of the opinion that increased awareness of specific guidelines and clinical practice protocols among both hematologists and sports physicians could be beneficial. Finally, answers suggested that access to fitness certification should be facilitated.

Current Therapeutic Approach to Acute Myocardial Infarction in Patients with Congenital Hemophilia

Advances in the treatment of hemophilia have made the life expectancy of hemophiliacs similar to that of the general population. Physicians have begun to face age-related diseases not previously encountered in individuals with hemophilia. Treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is particularly challenging because the therapeutic strategies influence both the patient's thrombotic and hemorrhagic risk. As progress has been made in the treatment of AMI over the last decade, we performed an in-depth analysis of the available literature, highlighting the latest advances in the therapy of AMI in hemophiliacs. It is generally accepted that after the optimal substitution therapy has been provided, patients with hemophilia should be treated in the same way as those in the general population. New-generation stents that allow short dual antiplatelet therapy and potent P2Y12 receptor inhibitors have begun to be successfully used. At a time when specific recommendations and relevant data are scarce, our study provides up-to-date information to physicians involved in the treatment of AMI in hemophiliacs.