A pharmacokinetic model for factor VIII dosing during active haemorrhage in patients with haemophilia A

Perioperative continuous infusions of factor VIII versus factor IX for patients with hemophilia A or B undergoing major surgery

Continuous factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX (FIX) infusions are commonly used for patients with hemophilia A (HA) or B (HB) undergoing surgery to secure perioperative hemostasis. To describe differences between the initial recovery and subsequent FIX and FVIII levels, and describe clinical outcomes among HB and HA patients receiving perioperative continuous infusion (CI) of recombinant FVIII and FIX concentrates. Retrospective chart review was conducted on 8 consecutive patients with HB and 7 consecutive patients with HA who underwent major surgery between 2014 and 2018 and received continuous infusions of standard half-life factor concentrate. Median initial bolus dose per kilogram was higher for HB compared to HA patients [90.8 (IQR 78.0-98.7) vs. 52.1 (IQR 48.6-55.6) IU/kg], while initial CI dose-rates were similar [4.3 (IQR 3.8-4.6) vs. 4.2 (IQR 3.8-4.4) IU/kg/h]. Median post-bolus recovery was higher for FVIII compared to FIX [1.70 (IQR 1.23-1.75) vs. 0.88 (IQR 0.75-1.00) IU/mL]. Median factor levels also were higher for FVIII on post-operative days 1 to 3. HB patients had greater mean intraoperative estimated blood loss [285.7 (range 0-1000) vs. 142.8 (range 0-400) mL] and longer median length of hospital stay [9 (IQR 8-12) vs. 5 (IQR 4-6.5) days]. Our initial evidence suggests greater in vivo yield of rFVIII compared to rFIX in the perioperative setting. We identified poorer clinical outcomes in this small cohort of perioperative HB patients indicating that they may benefit from a higher CI rate for adequate surgical hemostatic coverage.

Pharmacokinetics of coagulation factors: clinical relevance for patients with haemophilia

Haemophilia is a recessively inherited coagulation disorder, in which an X-chromosome mutation causes a deficiency of either coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) in haemophilia A, or factor IX (FIX) in haemophilia B. Intravenous administration of FVIII or FIX can be used to control a bleeding episode, to provide haemostasis during surgery or for long term prophylaxis of bleeding. In special cases, activated factor VII (FVIIa) may be used instead of FVIII or FIX. The aim of this work is to review the pharmacokinetics of FVIII, FIX and FVIIa and to give an outline of the use of pharmacokinetics to optimise the treatment of patients with haemophilia. The pharmacokinetics of FVIII are well characterised. The systemic clearance (CL) of FVIII is largely determined by the plasma level of von Willebrand factor (vWF), which protects FVIII from degradation. Typical average CL in patients with normal vWF levels is 3 ml/h/kg, with an apparent volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) that slightly exceeds the plasma volume of the patient, and the average elimination half-life (t1/2) is around 14 hours. There are still some discrepancies in the literature on the pharmacokinetics of FIX. The average CL of plasma-derived FIX seems to be 4 ml/h/kg, the Vss is 3 to 4 times the plasma volume and the elimination t1/2 often exceeds 30 hours. FVIIa has a much higher CL (average of 33 ml/h/kg), and a short terminal t1/2 (at 2 to 3 hours). The Vss is 2 to 3 times the plasma volume. Since the therapeutic levels of coagulation factors are well defined in most clinical situations, applied pharmacokinetics is an excellent tool to optimise therapy. Individual tailoring of administration in prophylaxis has been shown to considerably increase the cost effectiveness of the treatment. Dosage regimens for the treatment of bleeding episodes or for haemostasis during surgery are also designed using pharmacokinetic data, and the advantages of using a constant infusion instead of repeated bolus doses have been explored. The influence of antibodies (inhibitors) on the pharmacokinetics of FVIII and FIX is in part understood, and the doses of coagulation factor needed to treat a patient can tentatively be calculated from the antibody titre. In conclusion, therapeutic monitoring of coagulation factor levels and the use of clinical pharmacokinetics to aid therapy are well established in the treatment of patients with haemophilia.