Maternal and neonatal bleeding complications in relation to peripartum management in hemophilia carriers: A systematic review.

Currently, there is no consensus on the optimal management to prevent postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) in hemophilia carriers. We aimed to evaluate peripartum management strategies in relation to maternal and neonatal bleeding outcomes by performing an extensive database search up to August 2020. Seventeen case-reports/series and 11 cohort studies were identified of overall 'poor' quality describing 502 deliveries. The PPH incidence in the individual patient data was 63%; 44% for those women receiving prophylaxis to correct coagulation and 77% for those without (OR 0.23, CI 0.09-0.58) and in cohort data 20.3% (26.8% (11/41) vs. 19.4% (55/284) (OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 0.72-3.24), respectively. Peripartum management strategies mostly consisted of clotting factor concentrates, rarely of desmopressin or plasma. Tranexamic acid appears promising in preventing secondary PPH, but was not used consistently. Neonatal bleeding was described in 6 affected male neonates, mostly after instrumental delivery or emergency CS, but insufficient information was provided to reliably investigate neonatal outcome in relation to management. The high PPH risk seems apparent, at most mildly attenuated by prophylactic treatment. Prospective cohort studies are needed to determine the optimal perinatal management in hemophilia.

Major differences in clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of men and women with autosomal inherited bleeding disorders.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, more awareness is raised about sex-specific dilemmas in inherited bleeding disorders. However, no large studies have been performed to assess differences in diagnosis, bleeding phenotype and management of men and women with bleeding disorders. Therefore, we investigated sex differences in a large cohort of well-defined patients with autosomal inherited bleeding disorders (von Willebrand disease (VWD), rare bleeding disorders (RBDs) and congenital platelet defects (CPDs)). METHODS: We included patients from three nationwide cross-sectional studies on VWD, RBDs and CPDs in the Netherlands, respectively the WiN, RBiN and TiN study. In all studies a bleeding score (BS) was obtained, and patients filled in an extensive questionnaire on the management and burden of their disorder. FINDINGS: We included 1092 patients (834 VWD; 196 RBD; 62 CPD), of whom 665 (60.9%) were women. Women were more often referred because of a bleeding diathesis than men (47.9% vs 36.6%, p = 0.002). Age of first bleeding was similar between men and women, respectively 8.9 ± 13.6 (mean ±sd) years and 10.6 ± 11.3 years (p = 0.075). However, the diagnostic delay, which was defined as time from first bleeding to diagnosis, was longer in women (11.6 ± 16.4 years) than men (7.7 ± 16.6 years, p = 0.002). Similar results were found when patients referred for bleeding were analyzed separately. Of women aging 12 years or older, 469 (77.1%) had received treatment because of sex-specific bleeding. INTERPRETATION: Women with autosomal inherited bleeding disorders are more often referred for bleeding, have a longer diagnostic delay, and often require treatment because of sex-specific bleeding. FUNDING: The WiN study was supported (in part) by research funding from the Dutch Hemophilia Foundation (Stichting Haemophilia), Shire (Takeda), and CSL Behring (unrestricted grant).

Maternal and neonatal bleeding complications in relation to peripartum management in women with Von Willebrand disease: A systematic review.

Women with Von Willebrand disease (VWD) have an increased risk of developing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH). Our aim is to evaluate peripartum management strategies in relation to maternal and neonatal bleeding complications in VWD. Electronic databases were searched up to January 2019. Seventy-one case-reports and -series and 16 cohort studies were selected, including 811 deliveries. Cohort studies reported primary PPH in 32% and secondary PPH in 13% of the women. The overall primary PPH incidence in the individual patient data was 34%, similar between women who received prophylactic treatment to prevent PPH and those who didn't. Neonatal bleeding events were reported in 4.6% of deliveries. Overall, the available evidence on peripartum management in women with VWD was of low quality. The ongoing high risk for PPH is evident, despite prophylactic treatment, as well as the need for higher quality evidence from larger prospective cohort studies to improve management strategies.

The association of haemophilic arthropathy with Health-Related Quality of Life: a post hoc analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of replacement therapy in haemophilia is to improve Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) by preventing bleeding and arthropathy. However, the association of arthropathy with HRQoL is unknown. AIM: To explore the association of haemophilic arthropathy with HRQoL. METHODS: A post hoc analysis on patients with severe/moderate haemophilia with SF36 questionnaire (SF36) and X-rays of ankles, knees and elbows made within 2.5-years. The SF36 scores of 'physical functioning' (SF36-PF, range 0-100, optimum 100) and Utility (SF6D-Utility, range 0-1, optimum 1) and radiological Pettersson scores (PS, range 0-78, optimum 0) were calculated. The association of PS with reduced SF6D-Utility and SF36-PF ( 21 points, the risk of reduced SF6D-Utility was stable (OR 4.16; 95% CI: 2.03-8.51) but SF36-PF continued to decrease: compared to lowest PS, OR for reduced SF36-PF was 5.69 (95% CI: 1.62-20.06) for PS 22-39 and 25.15 (95% CI: 6.53-96.81) for PS 40-78. CONCLUSION: Health-Related Quality of Life only showed a significant deterioration in patients with a Pettersson score of >21 points. This suggests that HRQoL is relatively insensitive to early joint changes.

Joint surgery in von Willebrand disease: a multicentre cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Joint bleeds are reported by 23% of von Willebrand disease (VWD) patients and associated with orthopaedic surgery. Limited data are available on joint surgery in VWD. AIM: To assess the prevalence, indications, management and complications of joint surgery in VWD patients. METHODS: 804 VWD patients with historically lowest von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity ≤30 U dL-1 completed a questionnaire on joint bleeds, joint damage and orthopaedic surgery. We retrieved additional medical file data of patients who underwent surgery on large joints (shoulder, elbow, hip, knee or ankle). RESULTS: 116 out of 804 patients (14%) reported large joint surgery. Compared to VWD patients without previous orthopaedic surgery, these 116 patients reported more frequently a history of joint bleeds and joint damage (41% vs. 20%, P < 0.001 and 61% vs. 20%, P < 0.001). Medical file data on 126 large joint surgeries in 79 VWD patients revealed that this surgery was associated with joint damage due to prior joint bleeds in 24% of the procedures. Preoperative clotting factor correction (CFC) to prevent bleeding was administered in most cases (81%). Documentation on postoperative bleeding was found in 23 surgeries (18%). CONCLUSIONS: Large joint surgery is reported by 14% of VWD patients, related to joint bleeds in 24% and seems associated with bleeding complications frequently despite perioperative CFC.

Thalidomide for treatment of gastrointestinal bleedings due to angiodysplasia: a case report in acquired von Willebrand syndrome and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired von Willebrand syndrome is a rare bleeding disorder and treatment of the associated gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding due to angiodysplasia is challenging. AIM: The aim of this study was to present a new case on the successful use of thalidomide in a patient with acquired von Willebrand syndrome and recurrent angiodysplasia-related GI bleedings, and to conduct a literature review on the use of thalidomide in patients with GI angiodysplasia. METHODS: A literature review was conducted, searching the electronic databases PubMed, Embase and Cochrane. RESULTS: We present a 75-year-old woman with IgG MGUS-associated acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS) who suffered from recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) bleedings and epistaxis. Treatment with immunoglobulins, desmopressin, Haemate-P and blood transfusions failed to achieve long-term haemostasis. Eventually, after these bleedings relapsed for almost a decade at 1- to 3-month intervals, thalidomide was prescribed. Since then, only one single nose bleed and one single melaena episode had occurred. She currently remains in remission of GI bleeds after 3 years and 3 months follow-up. The literature review revealed a beneficial effect of thalidomide in reducing GI bleeding due to angiodysplasia, including four case reports on inherited von Willebrand disease. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, thalidomide can be a reasonable option for the treatment of recurrent GI bleeding due to angiodysplasia in AVWS and we report for the first time that refractory or relapsing GI bleeding in patients with AVWS can successfully be controlled with thalidomide.

Joint bleeds in von Willebrand disease patients have significant impact on quality of life and joint integrity: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Joint bleeds (JB) are reported in a minority of patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD) but may lead to structural joint damage. Prevalence, severity and impact of JB in VWD are largely unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess JB prevalence, onset, treatment and impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) and joint integrity in moderate and severe VWD. METHODS: In the Willebrand in the Netherlands study 804 moderate and severe VWD patients [von Willebrand factor (VWF) activity ≤30U dL(-1)] completed a questionnaire on occurrence, sites and consequences of JB. To analyse JB number, onset, treatment and impact on joint integrity we additionally performed a patient-control study on medical file data comparing patients with JB to age, gender, factor VIII (FVIII)- and VWF activity matched VWD patients without JB. RESULTS: Of all VWD patients 23% (184/804) self-reported JB. These 184 patients reported joint damage more often (54% vs. 18%, P < 0.001) and had lower HR-QoL (SF36, P < 0.05) compared to VWD patients not reporting JB. Of 55 patients with available JB data, 65% had the first JB before age 16. These 55 patients used more clotting factor concentrate (CFC; median dose 43 vs. 0 IE FVIII kg(-1) year(-1) , P < 0.001), more often had X-ray joint damage (44% vs. 11%, P = 0.001] and chronic joint pain (44% vs. 18%, P = 0.008) compared to 55 control VWD patients without JB. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, joint bleeds are reported by 23% of moderate and severe VWD patients, mostly start in childhood, are associated with more CFC use, joint pain, lower HR-QoL and significantly more radiological and self-reported joint damage.

Hemophilic arthropathy in patients with von Willebrand disease.

von Willebrand disease (VWD) affects approximately 1% of the population. Joint bleeds are not a predominant symptom of VWD, however they do occur. Especially in patients with severe VWD, joint bleeds have been described in up to 45% of the patients. Recurrent hemarthroses can lead to joint destruction which is the main cause of morbidity, as is observed in hemophilia patients. In VWD however, the occurrence, severity, onset, treatment and impact of arthropathy have not been well described. This literature review summarizes all publications on arthropathy in patients with hereditary VWD, published until 1-5-2012. Joint bleeds in VWD are associated with low FVIII levels and seem to occur at young age. Depending on the severity of VWD, arthropathy occurs in 2-30% of the patients. Radiological joint damage can be seen but has not systematically been studied. Arthropathy can affect daily functioning and interfere with the quality of life. For acute management of joint bleeds FVIII/VWF concentrates can be used in VWD patients unresponsive to desmopressin or desmopressin in responsive VWD patients. When severe joint bleeds have caused synovitis and arthropathy, chemical or radioactive synovectomy and surgical joint procedures seem feasible to prevent further joint damage. Additional research is needed to learn more about the severity, onset and impact of arthropathy in VWD. Ongoing studies will hopefully answer the question whether prophylactic treatment with coagulation factor concentrates should be considered standard of care in severe VWD to prevent arthropathy.

Von Willebrand factor deficiency and atherosclerosis.

Von Willebrand factor (VWF) is a large multimeric glycoprotein that plays a major role in haemostasis, illustrated by the bleeding tendency in von Willebrand disease (VWD), the most common hereditary bleeding disorder caused by VWF deficiency or dysfunction. Elevated VWF levels are strongly associated with an increased risk of ischemic cardiovascular events. Whether this relation is causal, or whether increased VWF levels reflect disturbances of endothelial function remains to be elucidated. One possibility is that VWF participates in the process of atherogenesis. The aim of the current review is to determine whether VWF deficiency provides protection against the development of atherosclerosis in humans and animals. Results from animal studies suggest that, at arterial branch point predilection sites, VWF deficiency or blockage has a protective effect against atherosclerosis. Based on the available evidence, this potential protective effect of VWF deficiency can most likely be tracked to the VWF-platelet interaction. Sites involved in this interaction could prove attractive targets in future treatment and prevention of cardiovascular disease, an option that is already being explored in humans. An unequivocal protective effect of VWD on atherosclerosis has not been demonstrated in humans. However the interpretation of these results is hampered by several methodological weaknesses. In conclusion, VWF is probably a significant player in the multifaceted interaction between the haemostatic system and the atherosclerotic process which deserves further study.