The use of FEIBA for surgery in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors

Prospective assessment of thrombin generation test for dose monitoring of bypassing therapy in hemophilia patients with inhibitors undergoing elective surgery

Clinical response to bypassing agents (BPAs) may vary between patients. Surgery is a particular situation, requiring effective hemostasis during the procedure and for several days postoperatively to obtain satisfactory wound healing. However, the optimal dose of BPA in different surgical situations has not been clearly established. We report here a prospective assessment of thrombin generation test (TGT) in monitoring the effectiveness of BPA during 10 elective invasive procedures performed in 6 patients with severe hemophilia and high-titer inhibitors. A standardized 3-step protocol was used in all cases to individually tailor BPA. Thrombin-generating capacity of patients increased after in vitro and ex vivo addition of BPA in a dose-dependent manner. Our results also showed a correlation between in vivo clinical response to BPA and thrombin-generating capacity. These data suggest that TGT may represent a surrogate marker for monitoring bypassing therapies in surgical situations.

Successful major and minor surgery using factor VIII inhibitor bypassing activity in patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors

Surgeries are being increasingly performed in patients with haemophilia A and high-titre inhibitors. Optimal bypassing agent regimens need further delineation. Data pertaining to surgeries from 1989 to 2004 at a single centre were retrospectively analysed. Patients received a standardized factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) dose for both major and minor elective or emergency surgeries. The standard FEIBA dose was 70 U kg(-1) per infusion. FEIBA was infused at 9 and 1 h before and 8 h after operation. Infusions were routinely repeated every 8 h afterward. Haemostatic efficacy was assessed on the basis of blood loss, occurrence of haematoma and transfusion requirements. Seven adult patients underwent a total of 12 operations: 10 major and two minor. Ten procedures were elective. The median cumulative numbers of infusions and days of therapy were 46 and 17, respectively. Cumulative total FEIBA consumption was a median of 3185 U kg(-1). Observed blood losses, haematoma incidence and transfusion requirements were comparable to those expected for noncoagulopathic patients undergoing similar procedures. The only large haematoma occurred after a hip prosthesis operation and resolved under continuing FEIBA treatment. There were no cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation or other thromboembolic complications. FEIBA provides an effective and safe first-line peri- and postoperative haemostatic therapy for patients with haemophilia A and inhibitors, allowing both major and minor operations to be successfully performed.