Cerebral revascularization surgery reduces cerebrovascular events in children with sickle cell disease and moyamoya syndrome: Results of the stroke in sickle cell revascularization surgery retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Recent studies suggest that cerebral revascularization surgery may be a safe and effective therapy to reduce stroke risk in patients with sickle cell disease and moyamoya syndrome (SCD-MMS). METHODS: We performed a multicenter, retrospective study of children with SCD-MMS treated with conservative management alone (conservative group)-chronic blood transfusion and/or hydroxyurea-versus conservative management plus surgical revascularization (surgery group). We monitored cerebrovascular event (CVE) rates-a composite of strokes and transient ischemic attacks. Multivariable logistic regression was used to compare CVE occurrence and multivariable Poisson regression was used to compare incidence rates between groups. Covariates in multivariable models included age at treatment start, age at moyamoya diagnosis, antiplatelet use, CVE history, and the risk period length. RESULTS: We identified 141 patients with SCD-MMS, 78 (55.3%) in the surgery group and 63 (44.7%) in the conservative group. Compared with the conservative group, preoperatively the surgery group had a younger age at moyamoya diagnosis, worse baseline modified Rankin scale scores, and increased prevalence of CVEs. Despite more severe pretreatment disease, the surgery group had reduced odds of new CVEs after surgery (odds ratio = 0.27, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.08-0.94, p = .040). Furthermore, comparing surgery group patients during presurgical versus postsurgical periods, CVEs odds were significantly reduced after surgery (odds ratio = 0.22, 95% CI = 0.08-0.58, p = .002). CONCLUSIONS: When added to conservative management, cerebral revascularization surgery appears to reduce the risk of CVEs in patients with SCD-MMS. A prospective study will be needed to validate these findings.

Hydroxycarbamide versus chronic transfusion for maintenance of transcranial doppler flow velocities in children with sickle cell anaemia-TCD With Transfusions Changing to Hydroxyurea (TWiTCH): a multicentre, open-label, phase 3, non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: For children with sickle cell anaemia and high transcranial doppler (TCD) flow velocities, regular blood transfusions can effectively prevent primary stroke, but must be continued indefinitely. The efficacy of hydroxycarbamide (hydroxyurea) in this setting is unknown; we performed the TWiTCH trial to compare hydroxyurea with standard transfusions. METHODS: TWiTCH was a multicentre, phase 3, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial done at 26 paediatric hospitals and health centres in the USA and Canada. We enrolled children with sickle cell anaemia who were aged 4-16 years and had abnormal TCD flow velocities (≥ 200 cm/s) but no severe vasculopathy. After screening, eligible participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to continue standard transfusions (standard group) or hydroxycarbamide (alternative group). Randomisation was done at a central site, stratified by site with a block size of four, and an adaptive randomisation scheme was used to balance the covariates of baseline age and TCD velocity. The study was open-label, but TCD examinations were read centrally by observers masked to treatment assignment and previous TCD results. Participants assigned to standard treatment continued to receive monthly transfusions to maintain 30% sickle haemoglobin or lower, while those assigned to the alternative treatment started oral hydroxycarbamide at 20 mg/kg per day, which was escalated to each participant's maximum tolerated dose. The treatment period lasted 24 months from randomisation. The primary study endpoint was the 24 month TCD velocity calculated from a general linear mixed model, with the non-inferiority margin set at 15 cm/s. The primary analysis was done in the intention-to-treat population and safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose of assigned treatment. This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01425307. FINDINGS: Between Sept 20, 2011, and April 17, 2013, 159 patients consented and enrolled in TWiTCH. 121 participants passed screening and were then randomly assigned to treatment (61 to transfusions and 60 to hydroxycarbamide). At the first scheduled interim analysis, non-inferiority was shown and the sponsor terminated the study. Final model-based TCD velocities were 143 cm/s (95% CI 140-146) in children who received standard transfusions and 138 cm/s (135-142) in those who received hydroxycarbamide, with a difference of 4·54 (0·10-8·98). Non-inferiority (p=8·82 × 10(-16)) and post-hoc superiority (p=0·023) were met. Of 29 new neurological events adjudicated centrally by masked reviewers, no strokes were identified, but three transient ischaemic attacks occurred in each group. Magnetic resonance brain imaging and angiography (MRI and MRA) at exit showed no new cerebral infarcts in either treatment group, but worsened vasculopathy in one participant who received standard transfusions. 23 severe adverse events in nine (15%) patients were reported for hydroxycarbamide and ten serious adverse events in six (10%) patients were reported for standard transfusions. The most common serious adverse event in both groups was vaso-occlusive pain (11 events in five [8%] patients with hydroxycarbamide and three events in one [2%] patient for transfusions). INTERPRETATION: For high-risk children with sickle cell anaemia and abnormal TCD velocities who have received at least 1 year of transfusions, and have no MRA-defined severe vasculopathy, hydroxycarbamide treatment can substitute for chronic transfusions to maintain TCD velocities and help to prevent primary stroke. FUNDING: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health.

Effects of hydroxyurea treatment for patients with hemoglobin SC disease.

Although hemoglobin SC (HbSC) disease is usually considered less severe than sickle cell anemia (SCA), which includes HbSS and HbS/ß(0) -thalassemia genotypes, many patients with HbSC experience severe disease complications, including vaso-occlusive pain, acute chest syndrome, avascular necrosis, retinopathy, and poor quality of life. Fully 20 years after the clinical and laboratory efficacy of hydroxyurea was proven in adult SCA patients, the safety and utility of hydroxyurea treatment for HbSC patients remain unclear. Recent NHLBI evidence-based guidelines highlight this as a critical knowledge gap, noting HbSC accounts for ∼30% of sickle cell patients within the United States. To date, only 5 publications have reported short-term, incomplete, or conflicting laboratory and clinical outcomes of hydroxyurea treatment in a total of 71 adults and children with HbSC. We now report on a cohort of 133 adult and pediatric HbSC patients who received hydroxyurea, typically for recurrent vaso-occlusive pain. Hydroxyurea treatment was associated with a stable hemoglobin concentration; increased fetal hemoglobin (HbF) and mean corpuscular volume (MCV); and reduced white blood cell count (WBC), absolute neutrophil count (ANC), and absolute reticulocyte count (ARC). Reversible cytopenias occurred in 22% of patients, primarily neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. Painful events were reduced with hydroxyurea, more in patients >15 years old. These multicenter data support the safety and potentially salutary effects of hydroxyurea treatment for HbSC disease; however, a multicenter, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 clinical trial is needed to determine if hydroxyurea therapy has efficacy for patients with HbSC disease.

Effect of oral arginine supplementation on exhaled nitric oxide concentration in sickle cell anemia and acute chest syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Decreased exhaled nitric oxide levels (FE(NO)) have been described in patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) and a history of acute chest syndrome (ACS) when compared with non-ACS controls. Oral arginine supplementation has been shown to increase FE(NO) in healthy participants, but its effect in SCD patients is not known. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of oral arginine intake on FENO in sickle cell patients with and without history of ACS, and in healthy controls. HYPOTHESIS: No differences in the FE(NO) increase were seen in SCD patients with a history of ACS (ACS+) compared with healthy controls (HC) and SCD patients without history of ACS (ACS-). MATERIALS AND METHODS: ACS+ (n=6), ACS- (n=9), and HC (n=7) patients were studied. At baseline, and after the administration of escalating doses of oral L-arginine (0.1, 0.2, and 0.4 g/kg), serial measurements were made of the following: FE(NO), plasma concentrations of arginine, ornithine, citrulline, aspartate, glutamate, arginine/ornithine ratio, nitrite, nitrate, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR), blood pressure (BP), oxygen saturation (SpO2), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC). MAIN RESULTS: At baseline, FE(NO) did not differ among the groups. ACS- and ACS+ groups were deficient in arginine, and had decreased FEV1, FVC, and SaO2 when compared with HC patients. After arginine supplementation, FE(NO), arginine, ornithine, citrulline, nitrite, and the arginine/ornithine ratio increased similarly in all groups. Changes from baseline for HR, BP, SpO2, RR, FEV1, and FVC were minimal and similar in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to our earlier study, ACS+ patients had similar FE(NO) values when compared with ACS- and HC patients. All SCD patients were arginine deficient at baseline and showed impairment in respiratory physiology when compared with HC patients. After arginine supplementation, FE(NO) concentration increased in all groups to a similar degree, and lung function and physiologic parameters were minimally affected. The physiologic significance of alterations in FE(NO) in SCD patients and its relationship to ACS predilection requires further delineation.

Safety and efficacy of anticoagulant therapy in pediatric catheter-related venous thrombosis (EINSTEIN-Jr CVC-VTE).

Anticoagulant treatment of pediatric central venous catheter-related venous thromboembolism (CVC-VTE) has not been specifically evaluated. In EINSTEIN-Jr, 500 children with any VTE received rivaroxaban or standard anticoagulants. A predefined analysis of the CVC-VTE cohort was performed. Children with CVC-VTE (age, birth to 17 years) were administered rivaroxaban or standard anticoagulants during the 1-month (children <2 years) or 3-month (all other children) study period. Predefined outcomes were recurrent VTE, change in thrombotic burden on repeat imaging, and bleeding. Predictors for continuation of anticoagulant therapy beyond the study period were evaluated. One hundred twenty-six children with symptomatic (n = 76, 60%) or asymptomatic (n = 50, 40%) CVC-VTE received either rivaroxaban (n = 90) or standard anticoagulants (n = 36). There was no recurrent VTE (0%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.0%-2.8%). Three children had the principal safety outcome: none had major bleeding and 3 children had clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (2.4%; 95% CI, 0.7%-6.5%), all in the rivaroxaban arm. Complete or partial vein recanalization occurred in 57 (55%) and 38 (37%) of 103 evaluable children, respectively. Results were similar for symptomatic and asymptomatic CVC-VTE. Continuation of anticoagulant therapy beyond the study period occurred in 61 (48%) of children and was associated with residual VTE but only in children <2 years (odds ratio [OR], 20.9; P = .003) and continued CVC use (OR, 6.7; P = .002). Anticoagulant therapy appeared safe and efficacious and was associated with reduced clot burden in most children with symptomatic or asymptomatic CVC-VTE. Residual VTE and continued CVC use were associated with extended anticoagulation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02234843.

Rivaroxaban compared with standard anticoagulants for the treatment of acute venous thromboembolism in children: a randomised, controlled, phase 3 trial.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of venous thromboembolism in children is based on data obtained in adults with little direct documentation of its efficacy and safety in children. The aim of our study was to compare the efficacy and safety of rivaroxaban versus standard anticoagulants in children with venous thromboembolism. METHODS: In a multicentre, parallel-group, open-label, randomised study, children (aged 0-17 years) attending 107 paediatric hospitals in 28 countries with documented acute venous thromboembolism who had started heparinisation were assigned (2:1) to bodyweight-adjusted rivaroxaban (tablets or suspension) in a 20-mg equivalent dose or standard anticoagulants (heparin or switched to vitamin K antagonist). Randomisation was stratified by age and venous thromboembolism site. The main treatment period was 3 months (1 month in children <2 years of age with catheter-related venous thromboembolism). The primary efficacy outcome, symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism (assessed by intention-to-treat), and the principal safety outcome, major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding (assessed in participants who received ≥1 dose), were centrally assessed by investigators who were unaware of treatment assignment. Repeat imaging was obtained at the end of the main treatment period and compared with baseline imaging tests. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02234843 and has been completed. FINDINGS: From Nov 14, 2014, to Sept 28, 2018, 500 (96%) of the 520 children screened for eligibility were enrolled. After a median follow-up of 91 days (IQR 87-95) in children who had a study treatment period of 3 months (n=463) and 31 days (IQR 29-35) in children who had a study treatment period of 1 month (n=37), symptomatic recurrent venous thromboembolism occurred in four (1%) of 335 children receiving rivaroxaban and five (3%) of 165 receiving standard anticoagulants (hazard ratio [HR] 0·40, 95% CI 0·11-1·41). Repeat imaging showed an improved effect of rivaroxaban on thrombotic burden as compared with standard anticoagulants (p=0·012). Major or clinically relevant non-major bleeding in participants who received ≥1 dose occurred in ten (3%) of 329 children (all non-major) receiving rivaroxaban and in three (2%) of 162 children (two major and one non-major) receiving standard anticoagulants (HR 1·58, 95% CI 0·51-6·27). Absolute and relative efficacy and safety estimates of rivaroxaban versus standard anticoagulation estimates were similar to those in rivaroxaban studies in adults. There were no treatment-related deaths. INTERPRETATION: In children with acute venous thromboembolism, treatment with rivaroxaban resulted in a similarly low recurrence risk and reduced thrombotic burden without increased bleeding, as compared with standard anticoagulants. FUNDING: Bayer AG and Janssen Research & Development.

Nitric oxide metabolism and the acute chest syndrome of sickle cell anemia.

OBJECTIVE: To review the role of endothelial dysfunction and nitric oxide metabolism in the pathogenesis of the acute chest syndrome. DATA SOURCE: A thorough literature search of PubMed for publications relevant to acute chest syndrome and nitric oxide metabolism in sickle cell disease was performed using search terms that included acute chest syndrome, sickle cell disease, nitric oxide metabolism, arginine, nitrite, nitrate, exhaled nitric oxide, nitric oxide synthase, and oxidant injury. We identified randomized controlled trials, case reports, editorials, and review articles from English-language and non-English-language studies of adult, pediatric, animal, and human subjects that describe the pathophysiology of acute chest syndrome, the biology of nitric oxide relevant to the pathophysiology of sickle cell disease, and the evidence for the role of endothelial dysfunction and abnormal nitric oxide metabolism in acute chest syndrome. We identified and reviewed 350 publications by the initial search and subsequent bibliography review. The articles most pertinent to the topic of this article were selected to support the discussion. RESULTS: Acute chest syndrome is the leading cause of acute respiratory system dysfunction and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with sickle cell disease. Evidence is available to support decreased nitric oxide production, increased nitric oxide consumption, and abnormal metabolism of nitric oxide in patients with acute chest syndrome. Moreover, substrate availability is disturbed, and alternate pathways for substrate and nitric oxide metabolism exist. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormalities of nitric oxide metabolism are prevalent during acute illness and baseline health in patients with sickle cell disease. Further investigation is needed to understand the clinical significance of aberrant nitric oxide metabolism as well as the potential for therapeutic manipulation of the arginine-nitric oxide pathway in patients with sickle cell disease.