Congenital Factor X-Riyadh (Stuart-Prower) Deficiency With Isolated Prothrombin Time Prolongation: A Case Report

Factor X (FX) deficiency is an extremely rare autosomal recessive inherited coagulation defect. We report a case of congenital Factor X-Riyadh deficiency discovered during a routine workup before a dental procedure. During routine work-up for dental surgery, prothrombin time (PT) and the international normalized ratio (INR) were prolonged. The prothrombin time (PT) was found to be 78.4 (normal 11-14 seconds) with an international normalized ratio (INR) of 7.83; the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) was 30.7 (normal 25-42 seconds). Specific coagulation factor assays confirmed an FX deficiency (<10 % of normal activity) and a mild factor VII deficiency 37% (normal 48%-124%). Molecular genetic analysis of the whole exome sequence (WES) confirmed the diagnosis of FX deficiency (homozygous pathogenic variant c. 271G>A p {Glu91Lys} chr13:113793685). The patient is currently on regular follow-up and is advised to take oral antifibrinolytic medications for any superficial or mucosal bleeding.

Prothrombin complex concentrate in cardiac surgery for the treatment of coagulopathic bleeding

BACKGROUND

Coagulopathy following cardiac surgery is associated with considerable blood product transfusion and high morbidity and mortality. The treatment of coagulopathy following cardiac surgery is challenging, with the replacement of clotting factors being based on transfusion of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCCs) is an alternative method to replace clotting factors and warrants evaluation. PCCs are also an alternative method to treat refractory ongoing bleeding post-cardiac surgery compared to recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and also warrants evaluation.   OBJECTIVES: Assess the benefits and harms of PCCs in people undergoing cardiac surgery who have coagulopathic non-surgical bleeding.

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) in the Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, Embase and Conference Proceedings Citation Index-Science (CPCI-S) on the Web of Science on 20 April 2021. We searched Clinicaltrials.gov (www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov), and the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP; apps.who.int/trialsearch/), for ongoing or unpublished trials. We checked the reference lists for additional references. We did not limit the searches by language or publication status.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomised trials (NRSs).  DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We used standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane.   MAIN RESULTS: Eighteen studies were included  (4993 participants). Two were RCTs (151 participants) and 16 were NRSs. Both RCTs had low risk of bias (RoB) in almost all domains. Of the 16 NRSs, 14 were retrospective cohort analyses with one prospective study and one case report. The nine studies used in quantitative analysis were judged to have critical RoB, three serious and three moderate.   1. PCC versus standard treatment Evidence from RCTs showed PCCs are likely to reduce the number of units transfused compared to standard care (MD -0.89, 95% CI -1.78 to 0.00; participants = 151; studies = 2; moderate-quality evidence). Evidence from NRSs agreed with this, showing that PCCs may reduce the mean number of units transfused compared to standard care but the evidence is uncertain (MD -1.87 units, 95% CI -2.53 to -1.20; participants = 551; studies = 2; very low-quality evidence). There was no evidence from RCTs showing a difference in the incidence of red blood cell (RBC) transfusion compared to standard care (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.20 to 1.40; participants = 101; studies = 1; low-quality evidence). Evidence from NRSs disagreed with this, showing that PCCs may reduce the mean number of units transfused compared to standard care but the evidence is uncertain (OR 0.54, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.98; participants = 1046; studies = 4; low-quality evidence). There was no evidence from RCTs showing a difference in the number of thrombotic events with PCC compared to standard care (OR 0.68 95% CI 0.20 to 2.31; participants = 152; studies = 2; moderate-quality evidence). This is supported by NRSs, showing that PCCs may have no effect on the number of thrombotic events compared to standard care but the evidence is very uncertain (OR 1.32, 95% CI 0.87 to 1.99; participants = 1359; studies = 7; very low-quality evidence). There was no evidence from RCTs showing a difference in mortality with PCC compared to standard care  (OR 0.53, 95% CI 0.12 to 2.35; participants = 149; studies = 2; moderate-quality evidence). This is supported by evidence from NRSs, showing that PCCs may have little to no effect on mortality compared to standard care but the evidence is very uncertain (OR 1.02, 95% CI 0.69 to 1.51; participants = 1334; studies = 6; very low-quality evidence). Evidence from RCTs indicated that there was little to no difference in postoperative bleeding (MD -107.05 mLs, 95% CI -278.92 to 64.83; participants = 151, studies = 2; low-quality evidence).  PCCs may have little to no effect on intensive care length of stay (RCT evidence: MD -0.35 hours, 95% CI -19.26 to 18.57; participants = 151; studies = 2; moderate-quality evidence) (NRS evidence: MD -18.00, 95% CI -43.14 to 7.14; participants = 225; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence) or incidence of renal replacement therapy (RCT evidence: OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.14 to 3.59; participants = 50; studies = 1; low-quality evidence) (NRS evidence: OR 1.46, 95% CI 0.71 to 2.98; participants = 684; studies = 2; very low-quality evidence). No studies reported on additional adverse outcomes.   2. PCC versus rFVIIa For this comparison, all evidence was provided from NRSs.  PCC likely results in a large reduction of RBCs transfused intra-operatively in comparison to rFVIIa (MD-4.98 units, 95% CI -6.37 to -3.59; participants = 256; studies = 2; moderate-quality evidence).  PCC may have little to no effect on the incidence of RBC units transfused comparative to rFVIIa; evidence is very uncertain (OR 0.16, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.56; participants = 150; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence). PCC may have little to no effect on the number of thrombotic events comparative to rFVIIa; evidence is very uncertain (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.23 to 1.16; participants = 407; studies = 4; very low-quality evidence). PCC may have little to no effect on the incidence of mortality (OR 1.07, 95% CI 0.38 to 3.03; participants = 278; studies = 3; very low-quality evidence) or intensive care length of stay comparative to rFVIIa (MD -40 hours, 95% CI -110.41 to 30.41; participants = 106; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence); evidence is very uncertain . PCC may reduce bleeding (MD -674.34 mLs, 95% CI -906.04 to -442.64; participants = 150; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence) and incidence of renal replacement therapy (OR 0.29, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.71; participants = 106; studies = 1; very low-quality evidence) comparative to rFVIIa; evidence is very uncertain. No studies reported on other adverse events.  AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: PCCs could potentially be used as an alternative to standard therapy for coagulopathic bleeding post-cardiac surgery compared to FFP as shown by moderate-quality evidence and it may be an alternative to rFVIIa in refractory non-surgical bleeding but this is based on moderate to very low quality of evidence.

The Use of Prothrombin Complex Concentrates: Results of a Nationwide Survey of Critical Care Pharmacists

BACKGROUND

Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) are frequently used.

OBJECTIVE

To elucidate practices and perceptions of proprietary and nonproprietary PCCs use.

METHODS

An electronic pretested cross-sectional survey e-mailed thrice to 1 critical care pharmacist at 1170 US institutions. Questions addressed hospital and pharmacy characteristics, use of PCCs, and perceptions of effectiveness and safety.

RESULTS

429 (39.5%) of 1086 eligible institutions completed the questionnaire. PCCs were used several times per month to several times per week (62.6%). An order set was routinely or always used to direct PCCs usage at 66.4% of institutions. Four-factor PCCs were preferred by 93% of institutions. The most common perceived indications for 4-factor PCCs were hemorrhage related to warfarin (92.1%) or oral Xa inhibitors (81.8%), intracranial hemorrhage (78.4%), trauma hemorrhage (66.2%), surgical hemorrhage (61.1%), and refractory hemorrhage (57.3%). The most common perceived contraindications were heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (42%), disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (39.2%), and active thromboembolism (38.9%). Most institutions considered patient weight (78.8%), indication (77.6%), and International Normalized Ratio (76.9%) when dosing PCCs. Only 43.8% of institutions used fixed dose, only 19.6% compounded PCCs at the bedside, and only 11.9% administered PCCs by rapid infusion. Compared to standard blood products, respondents believed PCCs acted more rapidly, were less likely to cause volume issues, and were more expensive. Respondents were neutral about PCCs acting longer, being more effective at preventing or treating hemorrhage, or causing thromboembolism.

CONCLUSIONS

Off-label use of PCCs is common. Differing perceptions surrounding indications, contraindications, and comparisons to blood products/procoagulants likely contribute to variable practices.

Optimal Dosage and Administration Practices for Vitamin K Antagonist Reversal With 4-Factor Prothrombin Complex Concentrate

Expert consensus and international guidelines recommend urgent co-administration of vitamin K and 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrates (4F-PCCs) to rapidly reverse VKA-related bleeding. This narrative review examined real-world evidence and strategies to optimize international normalized ratio (INR) reversal, hemostasis, and outcomes in patients receiving 4F-PCC in this setting. Key determinants for success include the appropriate use of alternative dosing and administration strategies, such as fixed dosing and increased infusion speed, adherence to institutional guidelines, and removing significant institutional barriers to reduce time to treatment. In the opinion of authors, minimizing the time to treatment with 4F-PCCs is of paramount importance when treating patients with VKA-related bleeding. Practices that safely and feasibly shorten the time to administration should be included in guidelines for institutions responsible for anticoagulant care, and adhered to in centers that perform invasive procedures on patients receiving VKA therapy. Further studies are required to optimize use of 4F-PCC, particularly in relation to the ideal dosing strategy and the role of INR.

Accidental Rivaroxaban Intoxication in a Boy: Some Lessons in Managing New Oral Anticoagulants in Children

Novel oral anticoagulants offer equivalent or improved therapeutic profiles compared with warfarin, with less risk of bleeding, no interactions with food, and no need for routine laboratory monitoring. Caution must be exercised in using these drugs in certain patient populations, for example, renal insufficiency, those receiving additional antithrombotic therapy, those with questionable compliance, children, and those with a high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding. One of the novel oral anticoagulants, rivaroxaban, is a direct Factor Xa inhibitor, used to reduce risk of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism. We report a child who presented abnormal coagulation tests after unintended ingestion of 4 tablets of rivaroxaban. The patient was treated with fresh frozen plasma as well as admitted to intensive care and improved several hours later. We discuss his presentation and review of the literature on this topic.

Successful Use of Four Factor-Prothrombin Complex Concentrate for Congenital Factor X Deficiency in the Setting of Neurosurgery

Congenital factor X deficiency is an extremely rare coagulation disorder that can place patients at risk for spontaneous hemorrhage or excessive bleeding in the setting of trauma or invasive procedures. Given the rarity of this disorder, there is little published guidance on how best to prevent or treat bleeding. Herein, we report a case of a 56-year-old white man with congenital factor X deficiency who was scheduled for major neurosurgery and who was treated perioperatively with 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrate (4F-PCC). Doses of 4F-PCC at 15 U per kg, administered immediately preoperatively and once at 24 hours postoperatively, allowed for successful completion of an anterior cervical discectomy and fusion without excessive bleeding. Moreover, no thromboembolic complications were observed. As such, given the wide availability of 4F-PCC, it may be considered as a first-line therapy and an alternative to fresh frozen plasma for factor X deficiencies, particularly in high-risk operative cases.