Case studies: orthopaedic surgery in adult patients with haemophilia A with inhibitors

Over two decades of orthopaedic surgery in patients with inhibitors-Quantifying the complication of bleeding

Patients with haemophilia who have developed inhibitors against factor VIII (FVIII) or factor IX present a significant concern to those surgeons who operate on them. The evidence base for bypassing agents such as recombinant factor VIIa and activated prothrombin complex concentrate has amassed over several decades. The literature is open to positive interpretation on the successful use of these agents in the treatment of inhibitor-positive patients. However, there are equally persistent concerns amongst surgeons, in particular orthopaedic surgeons, regarding the high complication rate of bleeding. To explore and quantify this concern, we present a literature review spanning two decades of publications on haemophilia patients with inhibitors undergoing orthopaedic surgery. Irrespective of the progress made with haemostatic protocols, trepidation on embarking on surgery is valid. The high risk of bleeding is a function of the inherent complexity of the disease and rightfully translates into difficulties in its management. Combined with the prospect of orthopaedic surgery, those involved in the care of such patients are justified in their continued anxiety and diligence when considering the benefits in quality of life against the prevalent complications.

Achievements, challenges and unmet needs for haemophilia patients with inhibitors: Report from a symposium in Paris, France on 20 November 2014

Over the past 20 years, there have been many advances in haemophilia treatment that have allowed patients to take greater control of their disease. However, the development of factor VIII (FVIII) inhibitors is the greatest complication of the disease and a challenge in the treatment of haemophilia making management of bleeding episodes difficult and surgical procedures very challenging. A meeting to discuss the unmet needs of haemophilia patients with inhibitors was held in Paris on 20 November 2014. Topics discussed were genetic and non-genetic risk factors for the development of inhibitors, immunological aspects of inhibitor development, FVIII products and inhibitor development, generation and functional properties of engineered antigen-specific T regulatory cells, suppression of immune responses to FVIII, prophylaxis in haemophilia patients with inhibitors, epitope mapping of FVIII inhibitors, current controversies in immune tolerance induction therapy, surgery in haemophilia patients with inhibitors and future perspectives for the treatment of haemophilia patients with inhibitors. A summary of the key points discussed is presented in this paper.

Elective orthopaedic surgery for haemophilia patients with inhibitors: single centre experience of 40 procedures and review of the literature

With the introduction of safe and effective factor VIII/IX-bypassing agents--recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) and plasma-derived activated prothrombin complex concentrates (pd-APCC)--elective orthopaedic surgery (EOS) is a viable option for haemophilia patients with inhibitors. We report a series of patients with haemophilia and inhibitors undergoing EOS between 1997 and 2008 using bypassing agents to provide haemostatic cover. All inhibitor patients undergoing EOS and receiving rFVIIa, plasma-derived prothrombin complex concentrates (pd-PCC) or pd-APCC as haemostatic cover were included. Patients were operated on by the same surgeon and were managed by the same haemophilia treatment centre. Forty procedures (25 minor and 15 major) were conducted in 18 patients. Twenty-one minor cases were covered using rFVIIa, three with pd-PCC, and one with pd-APCC; all major cases were covered using rFVIIa. Bleeding was no greater than expected compared with a non-haemophilic population in all 25 minor procedures. In the major procedure group, there was no excessive bleeding in 40% of cases (6/15) and bleeding completely stopped in response to rFVIIa. For the remaining nine cases, bleeding response to rFVIIa was described as 'markedly decreased' or 'decreased' in 4/15 cases and 'unchanged' in 5/15 cases. Overall, efficacy of rFVIIa, based on final patient outcome, was 85%. One death occurred as a result of sepsis secondary to necrotizing fasciitis. Good control of haemostasis can be achieved with bypassing agents in haemophilia patients with inhibitors undergoing minor EOS; rFVIIa was used as an effective bypassing agent, enabling EOS in patients undergoing minor and major procedures.

New house or new limbs?!

We describe a rare case of end-stage haemophiliac joint disease with inhibitors to factor VIII. Using recombinant factor VIIa treatment, the patient was able to undergo major orthopaedic procedures not previously possible. Although the estimated cost of putting this patient through surgery, prosthetic fitting and rehabilitation is close to pound 500,000, we hope his overall care requirements will be reduced following the successful surgery and that he will require considerably less in the way of analgesics with an improved independent quality of life for many years.

Controversies and challenges in elective orthopedic surgery in patients with hemophilia and inhibitors

Until recently, orthopedic surgery was strongly contraindicated in patients with hemophilia and inhibitors. However, recent advances in our knowledge of bypassing agents (particularly recombinant activated factor VII [rFVIIa]) that provide effective surgical hemostasis have allowed us to successfully perform major orthopedic procedures in these patients. Adequate hemostasis during surgery and postoperative rehabilitation is crucial, as development of a wound hematoma may jeopardize long-term outcomes. It also should be noted that success depends not only on appropriate drug therapy but also on preoperative preparations and adequate perioperative surveillance. Preoperative assessment of vascular status is very important, and strong motivation--on the part of the patient, the surgeon, and the hematologist--is needed to ensure a satisfactory result. Although inhibitor patients undergoing surgery face a higher risk of bleeding and other complications than their non-inhibitor counterparts, outcomes are generally good if a multidisciplinary team approach is applied.

Economic evaluation of major knee surgery with recombinant activated factor VII in hemophilia patients with high titer inhibitors and advanced knee arthropathy: exploratory results via literature-based modeling

OBJECTIVES

People with severe hemophilia suffer from frequent intra-articular hemorrhages, leading to pain, swelling, reduced flexion, and arthropathy. Elective orthopedic surgery using factor VIII (FVIII) replacement to prevent uncontrolled bleeding has been endorsed as an effective treatment option for patients with severe or advanced hemophilic arthropathy. These surgeries reduce pain, restore mobility and function, and reduce the frequency of recurrent joint bleeds. Unfortunately, some patients with hemophilia develop inhibitors to FVIII, which neutralize FVIII activity and render the use of even massive amounts of FVIII replacement ineffective and surgery very risky. For this reason, elective surgical procedures in high-titer inhibitor patients had largely been abandoned until the introduction of new agents, such as recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa, NovoSeven, Novo Nordisk A/S, Denmark). rFVIIa has been shown effective for prophylaxis during elective surgery and has therefore improved the feasibility of orthopedic surgery in hemophilia patients with high-titer inhibitors. The present research explored, from a modified US payer perspective, the direct economic and quality of life benefits of four different elective knee surgeries (total knee replacement [TKR], knee arthrodesis [KA], proximal tibial osteotomy, and distal femoral osteotomy) with rFVIIa coverage in hemophilia patients with high-titer inhibitors.

METHODS

An exploratory literature-based life-table model was developed to compare the direct medical costs and quality of life of two hypothetical cohorts of high-titer inhibitor patients with frequent bleeding episodes: one undergoing and the other not undergoing elective knee surgery. Knee surgery costs included perioperative rFVIIa costs, inpatient and rehabilitation care, and repeat procedures due to surgery failure, prosthesis loosening or deep infection. Based on efficacy studies, knee surgery was assumed to reduce mean annual bleeding episodes at the affected joint from 9.13 to 1.64. The cost of managing each bleeding episode was estimated at $15 298. Thus, by reducing bleeding episodes, surgery was expected to result in related cost offsets. All costs were expressed in 2006 US dollars. Surgery was also assumed to result in gains in quality of life by reducing pain and reducing bleeding episodes. The impact of pain reduction on quality of life and utility was estimated by simulating EQ-5D scores for a typical patient with and without knee surgery.

RESULTS

Based on the model, average knee surgery costs are predicted to range from a low of $694 000 (for KA) to a high of $855 000 (for TKR). However, knee surgery is also expected to reduce the subsequent number of bleeding episodes and resultant costs, leading to long-term costs savings. Due to improvement in pain levels, surgical patients are expected to experience improvements in quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs). Thus, surgery appears to be the preferred strategy (i.e., saves costs and increases QALYs). Based on the assumptions used in the model, the initial cost of knee surgery was offset during the 8th and 10th years for KA and TKR, respectively, with intermediate break-even time for the other surgeries. As expected, cost savings and gains in QALYs increased over time, as well as the cost effective ness of knee surgery. Specifically, the cost per QALY with KA and TKR fell under $50 000/QALY during the 6th and 8th years, respectively, with intermediate time for the other surgeries.

CONCLUSIONS

The present exploratory analysis is based on the long-term extrapolation of data from a small number of patients without inhibitors and short-term studies. It suggests that major knee surgery utilizing rFVIIa in hemophilia patients with inhibitors may be cost-effective on average, with expected cost savings apparent within a decade of knee surgery. The present exploratory results should be validated with real-world, longitudinal patient data.

Surgical interventions in a cohort of patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors: an experiential retrospective chart review

Strategies for the management of perioperative bleeding in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors have evolved rapidly as a result of the development of the bypassing agents Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Activity, Anti-inhibitor Coagulant Complex (FEIBA) and activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa). However, there are currently no established guidelines for perioperative use of bypassing agents, and few controlled clinical studies have been carried out. Thus, case reports, such as those presented here, provide useful anecdotal evidence to guide the treatment of inhibitor patients. The purpose of this report was to describe experiences in the use of bypassing agents in a small cohort of patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors undergoing surgical procedures. Cases from five treatment centres were reviewed. Twenty-two procedures using FEIBA, rFVIIa or a combination of both agents were compiled from seven inhibitor patients (six with an alloantibody inhibitor and one with an acquired autoantibody inhibitor). Eleven procedures used FEIBA monotherapy, two employed rFVIIa monotherapy and nine were performed using combination therapy. Supplemental therapies were required to manage bleeding in some cases. Haemostatic control was achieved in all cases, and treatment regimens were generally well tolerated. One thrombotic adverse event was reported: evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) was found after rFVIIa use in one case, although the direct cause of DIC was unknown. The experiences in this case review demonstrate that both major and minor surgical procedures can be safely performed in patients with haemophilia and high-titre inhibitors under the cover of bypassing agents, with a high expectation of success.

Use of FEIBA for invasive or surgical procedures in patients with severe hemophilia A or B with inhibitors

Achieving hemostasis in patients with hemophilia A or B is complicated by the presence of inhibitors and is made even more difficult when these individuals require surgery. Over a 4-year period, 6 patients with inhibitors to factor VIII and 1 patient with inhibitors to factor IX underwent surgery or invasive procedures at our institution. A total of 26 procedures were performed, primarily using the bypassing agent FEIBA for bleeding control. Excellent hemostasis was obtained in all cases, adding to accumulating data indicating that FEIBA is safe and effective in hemophilia patients with inhibitors who require surgery.

Total joint replacement in patients with inhibitors

Today, total joint replacement is the treatment of choice for chronic haemophilic arthropathy of the knee and hip in developed and developing countries. After the last World Haemophilia Congress and Musculoskeletal Congress, we cannot say the same for haemophilic patients with inhibitors because elective surgery today is still limited to few centres and extremely few patients. This is because until the first half of the 1990s, performing surgery in haemophilic patients with inhibitors was associated with a high risk of bleeding. With the availability of activated recombinant factor VII, the first surgical procedures were performed, but they still remain limited because of the elevated costs of replacement therapy. Our goal for the future must be to ensure the same possibility of surgical intervention in haemophilic patients both with and without inhibitors. This will be possible, thanks to the experience of some centres with an increased number of patients, where today this kind of surgery is routinely performed.