Cardiovascular Risk Scores among Asymptomatic Adults with Haemophilia

BACKGROUND

The mortality rate of Brazilian people with haemophilia (PwH) is decreasing, but the relative incidence of deaths associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) is increasing.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to describe the CVD risk score of PwH according to Pooled Cohort Equations Risk (PCER) Calculator tool and its treatment recommendations. We also compared the PCER estimates with the respective Framingham Risk Score (FRS).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included male PwH ≥ 40 years treated at the Comprehensive Haemophilia Treatment Centre of Pernambuco (Recife/Brazil). PwH with a previous CVD event or a low-density lipid cholesterol ≥ 5.0 mmol/L were excluded. Interviews, medical file reviews, and blood tests were performed. The PCER tool was used to estimate the CVD risk and compare it with the respective FRS. A p-value < 0.05 was accepted as statistically significant.

RESULTS

Thirty PwH were included. Median age was 51.5 [interquartile range-IQR; 46.0-59.5] years. The prevalence of obesity, systemic arterial hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia, and hypoHDLaemia were 20%, 67%, 24%, 14%, 47%, and 23%, respectively. The median PCER score was 6.9% [IQR; 3.1-13.2], with 50% having a high risk (PCER ≥ 7.5%). Statin use was suggested for 54% of PwH. Blood pressure was poorly controlled in 47% of PwH. The agreement between PCER and FRS was 80% (κ = 0.60; p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Half of the male people with haemophilia aged 40 years or older had a 10-year high risk of developing CVD with strong recommendations to improve control of dyslipidaemia and blood pressure.

Third-degree atrioventricular block and pacemaker implantation in a man with severe hemophilia A: A case report

Hemophilia A (HA) is a rare bleeding disorder characterized by reduced factor VIII (FVIII) activity and consequently spontaneous bleeding. Since the introduction of prophylaxis with safer FVIII concentrates, people with HA are ageing. Interestingly, they are developing cardiovascular diseases as their non-hemophilia counterparts. We describe a 48-year-old patient with severe HA who presented a third-degree atrioventricular block. A DDDR pacemaker was implanted under supervision of the Hematology Clinics. There were no adverse events during the procedure. The procedure was safe, and it should be performed under the supervision of a hemophilia expert.

Cardiovascular risk factors among adult patients with haemophilia

Since the introduction of episodic and prophylactic treatments with safer factor concentrates, the life expectancy of people with haemophilia (PwH) has improved considerably. Ageing-related diseases such as cardiovascular disease (CVD) have also become more prevalent in PwH. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate CVD risk factors and estimate 10-year risk for CVD events among PwH. Male patients ≥ 30 years were interviewed and examined. Blood tests were performed at the local laboratory. Eighty-two patients were included, of whom 83% had haemophilia A and half had severe disease. Median age at study entry was 43.0 years (interquartile range [IQR], 36.0-51.3). Prevalence of obesity, systemic arterial hypertension (SAH) and diabetes mellitus were 16%, 60% and 16%, respectively. Hypertriglyceridaemia, hypercholesterolaemia and low HDL blood levels were present in 18%, 41% and 30% of patients, respectively. Metabolic syndrome was found in 37%. The Framingham Risk Score showed that 39% of PwH had a high risk of developing cardiovascular events in the following 10 years. We conclude that, in this cohort, PwH have a higher prevalence of SAH when compared with Brazilian men without haemophilia and about two-fifths have a high risk of developing a CVD event in the following 10 years.

Inherited thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura mimicking immune thrombocytopenic purpura during pregnancy: a case report

Background

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura is a very rare hereditary blood deficiency disorder of ADAMTS13 (von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease) and a life-threatening thrombotic microangiopathy characterized by thrombocytopenia and microangiopathic hemolytic anemia. The deficiency in ADAMTS13 metalloprotease, which cleaves the von Willebrand factor, may be congenital or acquired. The congenital form is caused by inherited mutations in the ADAMTS13 gene. The diagnosis is challenging due to the nonspecific signs and symptoms, as well as the rarity of the disease.

Case presentation

We present an unusual case of a 20-year-old feoderm woman from northeast region of Brazil who manifested thrombocytopenia during her pregnancy which was believed to be immune thrombocytopenic purpura.

Conclusions

Considering the importance of a differential diagnosis of thrombotic microangiopathic disorders, congenital thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura may mimic the signs and symptoms of pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, hemolysis with elevated liver enzymes and low platelet count syndrome, and atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome. It should be considered in suspect cases in patients with an ADAMTS13 activity at 5% without ADAMTS13 antibodies.