Peri- and Postpartum Management of Patients With Factor XI Deficiency

Factor XI deficiency: phenotypic age-related considerations and clinical approach towards bleeding risk assessment

ABSTRACT

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder that presents complex challenges in patient assessment and bleeding risk management. Despite generally causing mild to moderate bleeding symptoms, clinical manifestations can vary, and bleeding tendency does not always correlate with FXI plasma levels or genotype. Our manuscript delves into the age-related nuances of FXI deficiency across an individual's lifespan. We emphasize issues faced by specific groups, including neonates and females of reproductive age experiencing abnormal uterine bleeding and postpartum hemorrhage. Older patients present unique challenges and concerns related to the management of bleeding as well as thrombotic complications. The current assortment of diagnostic laboratory assays shows limited success in predicting bleeding risk in the perisurgical setting of patients with FXI deficiency. This review explores the intricate interplay between individual bleeding profiles, surgical sites, and FXI activity levels. We also evaluate the accuracy of existing laboratory assays in predicting bleeding and discuss the potential role of investigational global assays in perioperative assessment. Furthermore, we outline our suggested diagnostic approach to refine treatment strategies and decision making. Available treatment options are presented, including antifibrinolytics, replacement products, and recombinant activated FVII. Finally, we discuss promising nonreplacement therapies for the treatment of rare bleeding disorders that can potentially address the challenges faced when managing FXI deficiency-related bleeding complications.

Management of severe factor XI deficiency in pregnancy: A case report

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is one of the rarest coagulation disorders with a frequency of 1:1,000,000. A 30-year-old woman, diagnosed with FXI deficiency at the age of 4, was admitted to our maternity service at 25 weeks of gestation. The patient had no history of hemorrhage or abnormal bleeding, and the clinical examination was unremarkable. Antenatal care was also normal. The parturient was admitted in early labor at 38 weeks of gestation. Despite the absence of clinical hemorrhagic syndrome, a transfusion of fresh frozen plasma combined with tranexamic acid was initiated once the active stage of labor was started. Management of FXI deficiency in pregnant women is a challenge due to its unpredictable bleeding tendency, and careful planning and knowledge of appropriate hemostatic management is pivotal for their care.

Management of rare inherited bleeding disorders: Proposals of the French Reference Centre on Haemophilia and Rare Coagulation Disorders

INTRODUCTION

The rare coagulation disorders may present significant difficulties in diagnosis and management. In addition, considerable inter-individual variation in bleeding phenotype is observed amongst affected individuals, making the bleeding risk difficult to assess in affected individuals. The last international recommendations on rare inherited bleeding disorders (RIBDs) were published by the United Kingdom Haemophilia Centre Doctors' Organisation in 2014. Since then, new drugs have been marketed, news studies on surgery management in patients with RIBD have been published, and new orphan diseases have been described.

AIM

Therefore, the two main objectives of this review, based on the recent recommendations published by the French Reference Centre on Haemophilia and Rare Bleeding Disorders, are: (i) to briefly describe RIBD (clinical presentation and diagnostic work-up) to help physicians in patient screening for the early detection of such disorders; and (ii) to focus on the current management of acute haemorrhages and long term prophylaxis, surgical interventions, and pregnancy/delivery in patients with RIBD.

Phenotype and genotype analysis of patients with severe factor XI deficiency in Shaanxi Province, China

Congenital coagulation factor XI (FXI) deficiency is a rare bleeding disorder with a heterogeneous haemorrhagic phenotype and various hotspot gene mutations associated with race and geography. Studies on FXI deficiency in Shaanxi Province, China, are scarce. In this study, seven patients with severe FXI deficiency and several family members were analysed. The International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis-Bleeding Assessment Tool (ISTH-BAT) was applied to assess bleeding symptoms. FXI activity was determined using a one-stage method, and the FXI antigen was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Targeted capture next-generation sequencing and Sanger sequencing were applied to detect FXI gene mutations. The bleeding phenotype varied, although none of the participants had a history of spontaneous bleeding. One maternal received replacement therapy during the perinatal period, one female patient presented with menorrhagia, one male patient experienced severe postoperative bleeding and others were asymptomatic. Family members with heterozygous mutations were all asymptomatic. The FXI activity of all the patients ranged from less than 1 to 3.1 IU/dl, and a synchronous decrease in the FXI antigen was observed. Two missense mutations (p. Gly350Glu and p. Cys482Trp), one nonsense mutation (p. Gln384∗) and one novel frameshift mutation (p. Ser225Phefs∗16) were detected. The bleeding manifestations and severity of severe FXI deficiency varied and were not related to its activity. Three reported mutations and one novel frameshift mutation were identified, thus extending the mutation spectrum of FXI deficiency.

Factor XI Deficiency

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency (hemophilia C or Rosenthal disease) was first described in the 1950s in a multigenerational family experiencing bleeding related to surgery and dental procedures. Managing patients with FXI deficiency presents several challenges, including a lack of correlation of bleeding symptoms with FXI activity levels, the large volume of fresh frozen plasma required to achieve hemostatic FXI levels, lack of availability of FXI concentrate in certain regions of the world, and the inherent thrombotic risk associated with replacement therapy. This article summarizes presentation, diagnosis, and management of patients with FXI deficiency in a variety of clinical settings.

Postpartum haemorrhage in women with mild factor XI deficiency

INTRODUCTION

With the advent of direct-to-consumer genetic testing, mild factor XI deficiency is increasingly recognized. There are limited data regarding the risk of postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) among women with mild FXI deficiency following obstetrical delivery.

AIM

To assess the risk of PPH among women with mild FXI deficiency undergoing vaginal or caesarean delivery.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective, case-control study, in women with FXI levels between 20% and 70% of normal. For a control population, delivery outcomes were analysed in 200 women (between 2016 and 2018) without known bleeding disorders.

RESULTS

There was no PPH among 45 vaginal deliveries in women with mild FXI deficiency compared with one PPH among 125 vaginal deliveries in the control cohort. The rate of PPH was significantly higher among the 26 caesarean deliveries in women with mild FXI deficiency relative to 75 control caesarean deliveries (odds ratio 2.73, 95% CI 1.02-7.26, P = .04). Prior history of haemorrhage was a strong predictor of PPH following caesarean delivery. All women who developed PPH following caesarean delivery had either a history of haemorrhage or independent risk factor for PPH.

CONCLUSION

Due to the low rates of postpartum haemorrhage following vaginal delivery, routine prophylaxis to prevent postpartum haemorrhage in the setting of mild FXI deficiency does not appear warranted, especially in the absence of a bleeding history. Mild FXI deficiency is associated with an increased risk of PPH following caesarean delivery.

The clinical management of factor XI deficiency in pregnant women

INTRODUCTION

Factor XI (FXI) deficiency is associated with highly variable bleeding, including excessive gynecologic and obstetrical bleeding. Since approximately 20% of FXI-deficient women will experience pregnancy-related bleeding, careful planning and knowledge of appropriate hemostatic management is pivotal for their care.

AREAS COVERED

In this manuscript, authors present our current understanding of the role of FXI in hemostasis, the nature of the bleeding phenotype caused by its deficiency, and the impact of deficiency on obstetrical care. The authors searched PubMed with the terms, 'factor XI', 'factor XI deficiency', 'women', 'pregnancy', and 'obstetrics' to identify literature on these topics. Expectations of pregnancy-related complications in women with FXI deficiency, including antepartum, abortion-related, and postpartum bleeding, as well as bleeding associated with regional anesthesia are discussed. Recommendations for the care of these women are considered, including guidance for management of prophylactic care and acute bleeding.

EXPERT COMMENTARY

FXI deficiency results in a bleeding diathesis in some, but not all, patients, making treatment decisions and clinical management challenging. Currently available laboratory assays are not particularly useful for distinguishing patients with FXI deficiency who are prone to bleeding from those who are not. There is a need for alternative testing strategies to address this limitation.