Postpartum acquired haemophilia: clinical recognition and management

Acquired Haemophilia A: A Review of What We Know

Autoantibodies against plasma coagulation factors could be developed by some individuals inducing severe and sometimes fatal bleedings. This clinical entity is called acquired haemophilia. It should be suspected in subjects with acute abnormal bleedings, without personal or familiar history of congenital bleeding disorders with an unexplained prolonged aPTT. It is rare disease, although its incidence may be underestimated due to the low knowledge about it by many specialists, the frequent use of anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapies in the affected population that can mask the diagnosis and, sometimes, a so withering effect that avoid its confirmation. Mortality ranges between 9% and 33% depending on the series in the first 2 months after diagnosis. This mortality is attributed in up to 40% of the cases to infections in the context of immunosuppressive treatments used to eliminate the inhibitor. Factor VIII levels below 1% and high inhibitor titers are conditions of worse response rates. Advanced age, patient's ECOG, and underlying conditions are key prognostic factors for response to treatment and patient survival. To reduce morbidity and mortality in these patients, it is important to have clinical knowledge and access to guidelines to achieve an early diagnosis and to optimize the haemostatic and immunosuppressive treatment. This review aims to contribute to the dissemination of basic concepts on the epidemiology etiopathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment and management of these patients, as well as risk factors to get remission and the longest overall survival to allow individualized care. Especial awareness will be proposed in patients with some underlying conditions like cancer, autoimmune diseases, children, pregnancy or drugs.

Acquired haemophilia A in the postpartum and risk of relapse in subsequent pregnancies: A systematic literature review

BACKGROUND

About 1%-5% of acquired haemophilia A cases affect mothers in the postpartum setting.

AIMS

This study delineates the characteristics of this disease, specific to the postpartum setting, notably relapse in subsequent pregnancies.

METHODS

Report of two cases and literature study (1946-2019), yielding 73 articles describing 174 cases (total 176 cases).

RESULTS

Patients were aged 29.9 years (17-41) and 69% primigravidae. Diagnosis was made at a median of 60 days after delivery (range 0-308). Bleeding types were obstetrical (43.4%), cutaneous (41.3%), and muscular (36.7%). In >90% of the cases, FVIII at diagnosis was <1% (range 0%-8%). FVIII inhibitor was documented in 75.4% cases (median titre of 20 BU/ml, range 1-621). Haemostatic treatment was necessary in 57.1% using fresh frozen plasma (16%), factor concentrate (27.6%) and/or bypassing agents (37.4%). Immunosuppressive treatment was administered in 90.8%, mostly steroids (85.3%), alone or combined with immunosuppressants (27%). Rituximab was used mostly as a second line treatment. Only 24 patients (13.6%) had documented subsequent pregnancies and 6 (22.2%) suffered haemophilia recurrence during pregnancy.

CONCLUSION

This study allows better definition of: (1) clinical and laboratory characteristics of postpartum acquired haemophilia, (2) response to therapy, and (3) the risk of relapse for subsequent pregnancies.

Acquired Hemophilia A: Experience of a Tertiary Care Institute from North India

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is an uncommon bleeding disorder infrequently reported among Indians. The present retrospective data comprises eight cases of AHA over a period of 15 years. The mean age of patients was 59.7 years. The activated partial thromboplastin time was prolonged in all cases and the inhibitor screen showed the presence of inhibitors. Factor VIII: C assay was performed in 7 cases and all cases demonstrated low levels. Lupus anticoagulant was negative. Six patients were managed with steroids and symptomatic supportive care. These patients were followed up for a mean period of 3.5 years (range 1-5 years). Of these, there was one fatality prior to initiation of therapy and one patient continues to have inhibitors.

Immune Tolerance Therapy in Patients with Acquired Hemophilia

Acquired hemophilia is a rare disorder with an estimated annual incidence of 0.2-1 cases per million individuals. The etiology of the disorder remains obscure, although approximately half of all cases are associated with other underlying conditions. In acquired hemophilia, the severe hemorrhagic diathesis is caused by the development of autoantibodies directed against a clotting factor, most commonly factor VIII. These autoantibodies inhibit normal coagulation and lead to bleeding complications, which can be life-threatening in a high percentage of cases. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management of the disorder enable effective control; the short- and long-term aims of therapy are to terminate the acute bleed and eliminate or reduce the inhibitor, respectively. Immune tolerance therapy has been shown to successfully eradicate or suppress inhibitors in patients with congenital hemophilia A and may be applicable to patients with acquired hemophilia. Here we present preliminary data on the use of immune tolerance therapy in patients with acquired hemophilia and discuss possible treatment strategies.

The IgG autoimmune response in postpartum acquired hemophilia A targets mainly the A1a1 domain of FVIII

BACKGROUND

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a severe life-threatening autoimmune disease due to the development of autoantibodies that neutralize the procoagulant activity of factor VIII (FVIII). In rare cases, AHA occurs in the postpartum period as a serious complication of an otherwise normal pregnancy and delivery. Due to its rarity, little is known about the features of the antibody response to FVIII in AHA.

OBJECTIVES

Our study wanted to (i) determine the epitope specificity and the immunoglobulin (Ig) subclasses of anti-FVIII autoantibodies in plasma samples from a large cohort of AHA patients, and (ii) compare the epitope specificity of anti-FVIII autoantibodies in plasma samples from postpartum AHA and other AHA patients.

PATIENTS/METHODS

Seventy-three plasma samples from patients with postpartum AHA (n = 10) or associated with malignancies (n = 16) or autoimmune diseases (n = 11) or without underlying disease (n = 36) were analyzed with three multiplexed assays.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Our results showed a stronger response against the A1a1-A2a2-B fragments of FVIII and more specifically against the A1a1 domain in patients with postpartum AHA than in the other AHA groups (P < 0.01). Moreover, although IgG4 was the predominant IgG subclass in all groups, anti-A1a1-A2a2-B and anti-A1a1 domain autoantibodies of the IgG(1) and IgG3 subclasses were more frequently detected in postpartum AHA than in the other AHA groups. These findings support the involvement of the Th1-driven response in the generation of autoantibodies in women with postpartum AHA compared with the other groups of AHA patients in whom production of Th2-driven IgG4 was predominant.

Successful Long Term Eradication of Factor VIII Inhibitor in Patients with Acquired Haemophilia A in Saudi Arabia

Acquired haemophilia A is a serious and potentially fatal bleeding disorder. Diagnosis is difficult and maybe delayed due to its rarity. The high mortality rate and the complex nature of treatment necessitate patient management at a haemophilia centre, where the required expertise and resources are available. Prompt diagnosis is crucial and early initiation of therapy could be life saving. Management includes initial control of bleeding followed by an approach to eradicate the coagulation factor inhibitor. In this paper we describe our local experience with acquired haemophilia A, which resulted in the successful control of major bleeding at presentation and eradication of inhibitors.

Potential Role of Thrombelastography in the Monitoring of Acquired Factor VIII Inhibitor Hemophilia A: Report on a 78-year-old Woman With Life-threatening Bleedings

A 78-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of syncope associated with hematomas in both legs. Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) with a low antifactor VIII antibodies activity was diagnosed. Whole blood (WB) thrombelastographic profile depicted a hypocoagulable state. During hospitalization, the patient experienced life-threatening bleedings in the neck and in the right thigh. FVIII concentrates and rFVIIa was safe and effective in controlling acute hemorrhagic symptoms. Immunosuppressive therapy was used successfully to eradicate the inhibitor. At discharge, FVIII inhibitor was absent and thrombelastogram showed a normal profile. Our report confirms that AHA is a heterogeneous condition in terms of risk of bleeding. Even though the criteria for the diagnosis of AHA is quite well defined, a laboratory test useful to predict the bleeding risk and monitor the response to treatment is lacking. ROTEM profile appears to be correlated with the response to treatment and with the eradication of the inhibitor.

Acquired haemophilia A as a blood transfusion emergency

INTRODUCTION

Acquired haemophilia is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by autoantibodies directed in the majority of the cases against clotting factor VIII. This disorder is characterised by the sudden onset of bleeding that not rarely may be life-threatening and need transfusion support. Most reports on this condition describe the need for blood transfusions during the acute, haemorrhagic phase, but the number of transfused red cell units is often unknown.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

In the last 5 years, 14 patients with acquired haemophilia A were identified in the transfusion and haemophilia centres of Verona and Castelfranco Veneto. The transfusion support for these 14 patients was analyzed in this retrospective survey.

RESULTS

The 14 patients required a total of 183 red cell units. The average transfusion requirement was 13 red cells units/patient, with a range from 0 to 38 units.

CONCLUSIONS

Eleven of the 14 patients studied needed strong transfusion support to enable any further management of the haemorrhages, as well as for eradication treatment of the autoantibodies to factor VIII. A relevant part of the management of haemorrhagic symptoms as well as the first choice for any further treatment (bleeding or the cure of the underlying disease) is transfusion of red blood cells.

Acquired factor VIII inhibitors

Acquired hemophilia A is a rare bleeding diathesis caused by autoantibodies directed against clotting factor VIII and associated with an increased morbidity and mortality. This autoimmune disorder most commonly occurs in the elderly. Although it may be associated with several underlying pathologies, up to 50% of reported cases remain idiopathic. In contrast with congenital hemophilia, which is commonly characterized by hemarthroses, hemorrhages in patients with acquired hemophilia involve most frequently soft tissues. The 2 treatment priorities are to arrest the acute bleeding and to eradicate the factor VIII autoantibody. Acute bleeding episodes in patients with low-titer inhibitors can be treated using human factor VIII concentrates, whereas factor VIII bypassing agents, such as activated prothrombin complex concentrates or recombinant activated factor VII, are effective for the treatment of those with high-titer inhibitors. An analysis of the literature shows that the most effective first-line treatment for the eradication of factor VIII autoantibodies is the combination of steroids and cyclophosphamide. However, there is increasing evidence on the effectiveness of other treatment approaches, such as immune tolerance regimens and rituximab. If confirmed by large controlled studies, these innovative therapies might become a valid option for long-term eradication of factor VIII inhibitors.

Rituximab in the treatment of adult acquired hemophilia A: A systematic review

Rituximab is a monoclonal chimeric antibody to the CD20 antigen, which has proven to be effective in the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphomas. Recently, rituximab has also been employed in many non-malignant autoimmune disorders (i.e., idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, connective tissue disorders and autoimmune hemolytic anemia) in which it has been used with the aim of interfering with the production of pathologic antibodies. Moreover, this agent has also shown to be effective in the treatment of acquired antibodies against factor VIII. Through a careful literature search, the current knowledge on rituximab therapy in adult acquired hemophilia A is presented in this review. Although mostly based on uncontrolled studies, the literature data suggest that this drug can be useful in the treatment of disorders of acquired inhibitors to factor VIII. However, large, prospective, randomized trials are needed to confirm these positive preliminary results.

Postpartum acquired factor VIII inhibitors

The development of factor VIII autoantibodies is a rare but severe complication of pregnancy. Although the natural history of postpartum acquired hemophilia A is usually benign, with a high percentage of spontaneous remissions and a low mortality, its quick recognition is important to control bleeding episodes. Based on an analysis of the literature, this review presents the current knowledge on the pathogenesis, diagnosis, epidemiology, natural history, clinical manifestations, and therapeutic management of postpartum acquired hemophilia A.

Acquired hemophilia A

Acquired hemophilia A is a rare but severe autoimmune bleeding disorder, resulting from the presence of autoantibodies directed against clotting factor VIII. The etiology of the disorder remains obscure, although approximately half of all cases are associated with other underlying conditions. A prompt diagnosis and appropriate management enable effective control of this acquired hemorrhagic disorder: the aims of therapy are to terminate the acute bleeding episode and eliminate or reduce the inhibitor. The recent availability of bypassing agents, first activated prothrombin complex concentrates and then recombinant activated factor VII, has significantly reduced mortality during the acute phase of the disease in patients with high titer inhibitors. On another front, immunosuppressive therapy (corticosteroids and cytotoxic agents, alone or in various combinations) has resulted in long-term inhibitor suppression in up to 70% of the cases. Moreover, new therapeutic strategies (anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody and immune tolerance protocols) are very promising and may further improve the prognosis of acquired hemophilia A.

Acquired coagulation inhibitor-associated bleeding disorders: an update

Acquired blood coagulation inhibitors are circulating immunoglobulins that neutralize the activity of a specific coagulation protein or accelerate its clearance from the plasma, thus causing a bleeding tendency. In this review, we focus on the nonhemophilic inhibitors of coagulation, i.e. the autoantibodies occurring in individuals without a pre-existent coagulation defect, reporting the most recent advances in the pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment of these rare acquired bleeding disorders.

Acquired hemophilia A: a concise review

Acquired hemophilia A is a rare but severe autoimmune bleeding disorder. It is more frequent in the elderly and results from the presence of autoantibodies directed against clotting factor VIII. In this review, we briefly report on the present state of knowledge regarding acquired hemophilia A, analyzing its epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnostic, and clinical features. We also describe the main characteristics of this disorder according to its association with different conditions and the most important advances in the treatment of bleeding episodes and the eradication of the autoantibody.

Successful treatment of acquired factor VIII deficiency in a child using activated factor VII concentrates: case report and review of the literature

Acquired factor VIII deficiency is a rare life-threatening disorder that should be suspected in individuals without a prior bleeding history who present with mucous membrane, muscle, and/or urinary tract bleeding. The authors describe a 5-year-old girl with epistaxis, intramuscular bleeding, and forearm compartment syndrome requiring emergent fasciotomy. Coagulation studies showed a factor VIII level of less than 1%. The prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time corrected immediately when mixed with normal plasma at a 1:1 ratio but became prolonged again following incubation at 37 degrees C. She was treated successfully with serial administrations of activated factor VII concentrates and immunosuppression with corticosteroids. Activated factor VII concentrates should be considered as an option for patients of all ages with acquired factor VIII deficiency.