Compartment syndrome of the forearm with life-threatening bleeding after fasciotomy as the presenting sign of postpartum acquired hemophilia A: a case report

Fasciotomy on a female patient with acquired factor VIII: A case report and literature review of management

Key Clinical Message

Acquired factor VIII inhibitors can be a rare cause of extensive intramuscular bleeding requiring fasciotomy. The subsequent postoperative period requires close monitoring due to high risk of fatal blood loss.

Abstract

Acquired factor VIII inhibitors are a rare cause of often extensive bleeding and subsequently large hematomas. This disorder's overall mortality can reach 38%, largely due to immunosuppression and subsequent infections or an underlying cause such as malignancy. The patient in this case study presented with a hematoma and extensive ecchymosis of the hand and forearm, which continued to progress, precipitating compartment syndrome of the hand and forearm and ultimately requiring fasciotomy. The combination of factors led to significant blood loss in the postoperative period requiring major fluid resuscitation and intensive care unit (ICU) level care. Due to this disorder's rarity and overall mortality, we present this case report with a literature review for management of acquired hemophilia in the setting of urgent fasciotomy.

Acute forearm compartment syndrome in the setting of acquired hemophilia A

Patients with acquired or congenital hemophilia are at risk for Acute Compartment Syndrome (ACS) and pose a diagnostic challenge and a treatment risk with post-fasciotomy hemostasis of critical importance. We present the case of a woman with ACS of the forearm in the setting of newly diagnosed acquired hemophilia A.

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.