Direct Oral Anticoagulants vs Low-Molecular-Weight Heparin and Recurrent VTE in Patients With Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In patients with cancer who have venous thromboembolism (VTE) events, long-term anticoagulation with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) is recommended to prevent recurrent VTE. The effectiveness of a direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) compared with LMWH for preventing recurrent VTE in patients with cancer is uncertain. Objective: To evaluate DOACs, compared with LMWH, for preventing recurrent VTE and for rates of bleeding in patients with cancer following an initial VTE event. Design, Setting, and Participants: Unblinded, comparative effectiveness, noninferiority randomized clinical trial conducted at 67 oncology practices in the US that enrolled 671 patients with cancer (any invasive solid tumor, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, or chronic lymphocytic leukemia) who had a new clinical or radiological diagnosis of VTE. Enrollment occurred from December 2016 to April 2020. Final follow-up was in November 2020. Intervention: Participants were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to either a DOAC (n = 335) or LMWH (n = 336) and were followed up for 6 months or until death. Physicians and patients selected any DOAC or any LMWH (or fondaparinux) and physicians selected drug doses. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the recurrent VTE rate at 6 months. Noninferiority of anticoagulation with a DOAC vs LMWH was defined by the upper limit of the 1-sided 95% CI for the difference of a DOAC relative to LMWH of less than 3% in the randomized cohort that received at least 1 dose of assigned treatment. The 6 prespecified secondary outcomes included major bleeding, which was assessed using a 2.5% noninferiority margin. Results: Between December 2016 and April 2020, 671 participants were randomized and 638 (95%) completed the trial (median age, 64 years; 353 women [55%]). Among those randomized to a DOAC, 330 received at least 1 dose. Among those randomized to LMWH, 308 received at least 1 dose. Rates of recurrent VTE were 6.1% in the DOAC group and 8.8% in the LMWH group (difference, -2.7%; 1-sided 95% CI, -100% to 0.7%) consistent with the prespecified noninferiority criterion. Of 6 prespecified secondary outcomes, none were statistically significant. Major bleeding occurred in 5.2% of participants in the DOAC group and 5.6% in the LMWH group (difference, -0.4%; 1-sided 95% CI, -100% to 2.5%) and did not meet the noninferiority criterion. Severe adverse events occurred in 33.8% of participants in the DOAC group and 35.1% in the LMWH group. The most common serious adverse events were anemia and death. Conclusions and Relevance: Among adults with cancer and VTE, DOACs were noninferior to LMWH for preventing recurrent VTE over 6-month follow-up. These findings support use of a DOAC to prevent recurrent VTE in patients with cancer. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02744092.

Bortezomib for chronic relapsing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by a severe deficiency of ADAMTS13 activity. Although therapeutic plasma exchange (PLEX) is the standard of care, 30% to 50% patients develop exacerbation or relapse, requiring immunomodulatory agents. Of these agents, glucocorticoids, rituximab, and cyclosporine A are the most frequently used. CASE REPORT: We report a case of chronic relapsing TTP in a patient who had eight relapses over a 14-year period. After her seventh relapse, the patient demonstrated only partial response to glucocorticoids, two courses of rituximab, and cyclophosphamide. The eighth relapse occurred 58 days after her last PLEX and subsequent to this she received a course of bortezomib (Velcade, Millennium Pharmaceuticals, Inc.). After treatment with bortezomib the patient demonstrated a complete response with a progressive increase in ADAMTS13 activity from less than 5% to 22% accompanied by undetectable inhibitor, and she has remained PLEX free for more than 169 days. CONCLUSION: Bortezomib may serve as an adjunct treatment in patients with acquired TTP who exhibit an incomplete response or are refractory to conventional management.

Role of ADAMTS13 in the management of thrombotic microangiopathies including thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

The clinical presentation of thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura (TTP) and other thrombotic microangiopathies (TMAs) can often be similar. The role of a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with a thrombospondin type 1 motif, member 13 (ADAMTS13) in diagnosing TTP is accepted by most researchers but continues to be debated in a few studies. We report the experience of our single-centre academic institution, where ADAMTS13 is used to diagnose TTP and guide plasma exchange (PLEX). Patients presenting to our institution with thrombotic microangiopathy (60 patients) between January 2006 and December 2012 were divided into two groups based on ADAMTS13 activity and clinical history. Patients with ADAMTS13 activity <10% were included in the TTP (n = 30) cohort while patients with activity >11% were classified as 'other microangiopathies' (TMA, n = 30). PLEX was only initiated in patients with a high likelihood of TTP and discontinued when the baseline ADAMTS13 activity was >11%. Patients with severe ADAMTS13 deficiency (TTP group) showed significant presenting differences: lower platelet counts, less renal dysfunction, higher presence of neurological abnormalities, and greater haemolysis markers as compared to non-deficient patients (TMA group). Most importantly, patients without severe ADAMTS13 deficiency were safely managed without increased mortality despite receiving no PLEX or discontinuing PLEX after a short course (upon availability of ADAMTS13 results). In conclusion, ADAMTS13 can be used to diagnose TTP and guide appropriate PLEX therapy.

Advantages of isovolemic hemodilution-red cell exchange therapy to prevent recurrent stroke in sickle cell anemia patients.

Chronic simple hypertransfusion (every 3 to 4 weeks) effectively prevents secondary stroke in children with sickle cell anemia but leads to iron overload despite chelation therapy. Conventional red blood cell exchange (C-RBCx) has advantages over simple transfusion: no net iron gain and less frequent hospital visits. However, C-RBCx requires more red blood cell units, an apheresis instrument and skilled personnel; it is also more expensive. We developed a modified procedure where isovolemic hemodilution precedes RBCx (IHD-RBCx) to decrease RBC units required and to increase the interval between procedures. Twenty patients underwent IHD-RBCx over a period of 7 years. IHD-RBCx required 11% fewer RBC units and increased inter-procedure interval from 37 to 53 days compared to C-RBCx. The median number of annual procedures decreased from 9.8 to 7.0 per patient, resulting in estimated savings of more than $4.5 million over 10 years for 20 patients while providing improved care. Five patients have discontinued chelation therapy; three while on C-RBCx and two while on IHD-RBCx. No adverse events occurred related to the isovolemic hemodilution phase and no patients had recurrent stroke. IHD-RBCx is a safe, efficient, and cost effective therapy for secondary prevention of stroke in patients with sickle cell anemia.

Prospective monitoring of plasma and platelet transfusions in a large teaching hospital results in significant cost reduction.

BACKGROUND: Plasma and platelets (PLTs) are often transfused to correct mild to moderately abnormal laboratory values. Our objective was to reduce unnecessary plasma and PLT transfusions to nonbleeding patients by prospective triage and education of end users in evidence-based hemostasis and transfusion medicine practices. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Using the Parkland Memorial Hospital's transfusion service and admission database as the data source, this study comprises the comparison of transfusion data on plasma and PLT use between pre- (2000-2002) and posttriage (2003-2006) periods. Yearly transfusion and wastage data on red blood cells (RBCs), plasma, and PLTs and yearly hospital admissions, trauma visits, and surgical procedures were extracted retrospectively for the study. RESULTS: The study revealed that implementation of triage resulted in a significant reduction of plasma (60%) and PLT (25%) transfusions, saving more than $3,000,000 over 4 years. CONCLUSIONS: Prospective triage and evidence-based transfusion practice education reduced unnecessary plasma and PLT transfusions and health care costs.

Neuropsychological dysfunction and neuroimaging abnormalities in neurologically intact adults with sickle cell anemia.

CONTEXT: Sickle cell anemia (SCA) is a chronic illness causing progressive deterioration in quality of life. Brain dysfunction may be the most important and least studied problem affecting individuals with this disease. OBJECTIVE: To measure neurocognitive dysfunction in neurologically asymptomatic adults with SCA vs healthy control individuals. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional study comparing neuropsychological function and neuroimaging findings in neurologically asymptomatic adults with SCA and controls from 12 SCA centers, conducted between December 2004 and May 2008. Participants were patients with SCA (hemoglobin [Hb] SS and hemoglobin level < or = 10 mg/dL) aged 19 to 55 years and of African descent (n = 149) or community controls (Hb AA and normal hemoglobin level) (n = 47). Participants were stratified on age, sex, and education. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome measure was nonverbal function assessed by the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, third edition (WAIS-III) Performance IQ Index. Secondary exploratory outcomes included performance on neurocognitive tests of executive function, memory, attention, and language and magnetic resonance imaging measurement of total intracranial and hippocampal volume, cortical gray and white matter, and lacunae. RESULTS: The mean WAIS-III Performance IQ score of patients with SCA was significantly lower than that of controls (adjusted mean, 86.69 for patients with SCA vs 95.19 for controls [mean difference, -5.50; 95% confidence interval {CI}, -9.55 to -1.44]; P = .008), with 33% performing more than 1 SD (<85) below the population mean. Among secondary measures, differences were observed in adjusted mean values for global cognitive function (full-scale IQ) (90.47 for patients with SCA vs 95.66 for controls [mean difference, -5.19; 95% CI, -9.24 to -1.13]; P = .01), working memory (90.75 vs 95.25 [mean difference, -4.50; 95% CI, -8.55 to -0.45]; P = .03), processing speed (86.50 vs 97.95 [mean difference, -11.46; 95% CI, -15.51 to -7.40]; P < .001), and measures of executive function. Anemia was associated with poorer neurocognitive function in older patients. No differences in total gray matter or hippocampal volume were observed. Lacunae were more frequent in patients with SCA but not independently related to neurocognitive function. CONCLUSION: Compared with healthy controls, adults with SCA had poorer cognitive performance, which was associated with anemia and age.

Impact of an emergency department pain management protocol on the pattern of visits by patients with sickle cell disease.

This study explores how implementation of pain management guidelines in concert with clinic case management affected emergency department (ED) utilization, clinic visits, and hospital admissions for patients with sickle cell disease. A pain management guideline that eliminated meperidine and encouraged timely use of morphine or hydromorphone for pain control in sickle cell crisis was introduced as a quality improvement project. This study is a retrospective review of ED visits, clinic visits, and admissions from 1 year before and 3 years after the guideline implementation. Working with the ED, the Hematology Clinic began to proactively seek the return of their patients for clinic follow-up. A formal case management program for sickle cell patients was initiated in June 2003. A total of 1584 visits by 223 patients were collected, 1097 to the ED and 487 to the Hematology Clinic. Total hospital visits did not change significantly in any of the 4 years, p > 0.10 for each comparison. Total ED visits decreased significantly over the 4-year study period (p < 0.001), whereas clinic visits steadily increased (p < 0.001). Return visits to the ED within 30 days also declined significantly, p < 0.001. Both the absolute number of admissions per year and the total admissions per hospital visit per year declined significantly over the study period, p = 0.001. Although total admissions per hospital visit did not change, the proportion of ED visits that resulted in admission in year 1 (29%) was significantly lower than the proportion admitted in year 2 (43%), p = 0.04. A pain protocol using morphine or hydromorphone coupled with increased access to outpatient clinics decreased ED visits, hospitalizations, and increased utilization of a more stable primary care clinic setting by patients with sickle cell disease.

Rapid warfarin reversal: a 3-factor prothrombin complex concentrate and recombinant factor VIIa cocktail for intracerebral hemorrhage.

OBJECT: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the most serious bleeding complication of vitamin K antagonist (VKA) therapy, carrying a high mortality. Rapid reversal of VKA in ICH is critical. Plasma therapy, the standard of care in the US, is not optimal. The ideal prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) containing all vitamin K-dependent factors (VKDFs) is not available in the US. Therefore, the authors developed a Trauma Coumadin Protocol (TCP) consisting of a 3-factor PCC available in the US (which contains insufficient factor VII [FVII]) with a low-dose recombinant FVIIa to rapidly reverse VKA. METHODS: Forty-six patients treated with the TCP were retrospectively analyzed. Fourteen patients had pre- and post-TCP plasma samples collected to assess their VKDF increment. Eleven patients had measurable intraparenchymal hematomas, which were evaluated for expansion. RESULTS: The mean pre- and post-TCP international normalized ratios (INRs) were 3.4 (median 2.9) and 1.0 (median 0.9), respectively. Once corrected, INR was maintained at < 1.3 during a patient's hospital stay. The pre-TCP median values of FII, FVII, FIX, and FX were 28%, 21%, 45%, and 20%, respectively; post-TCP median values increased to 144%, 417%, 102%, and 143%, respectively. Four of the 11 patients with measurable intraparenchymal hemorrhage had expansion at 24 hours after TCP. One patient probably (8 hours post-TCP) and 1 patient possibly (3 days post-TCP) had thrombotic complications. CONCLUSIONS: The TCP was very effective in rapidly reversing VKA-associated coagulopathy; however, this protocol should be used cautiously in patients at high risk for thrombosis.

Coagulation factor levels in neurosurgical patients with mild prolongation of prothrombin time: effect on plasma transfusion therapy.

OBJECT: Neurosurgical patients often have mildly prolonged prothrombin time (PT) or international normalized ratio (INR). In the absence of liver disease this mild prolongation appears to be due to the use of very sensitive PT reagents. Therefore, the authors performed relevant coagulation factor assays to assess coagulopathy in such patients. They also compared plasma transfusion practices in their hospital before and after the study. METHODS: The authors tested 30 plasma specimens from 25 patients with an INR of 1.3-1.7 for coagulation factors II, VII, and VIII. They also evaluated plasma orders during the 5-month study period and compared them with similar poststudy periods following changes in plasma transfusion guidelines based on the study results. RESULTS: At the time of plasma orders the median INR was 1.35 (range 1.3-1.7, normal reference range 0.9-1.2) with a corresponding median PT of 13.6 seconds (range 12.8-17.6 seconds). All partial thromboplastin times were normal (median 29.0 seconds, range 19.3-33.7 seconds). The median factor VII level was 57% (range 25%-124%), whereas the hemostatic levels recommended for major surgery are 15%-25%. Factors II and VIII levels were also within the hemostatic range (median 72% and 118%, respectively). Based on these scientific data, plasma transfusion guidelines were modified and resulted in a 75%-85% reduction in plasma orders for mildly prolonged INR over the next 2 years. CONCLUSIONS: Neurosurgical patients with a mild prolongation of INR (up to 1.7) have hemostatically normal levels of important coagulation factors, and the authors recommend that plasma not be transfused to simply correct this abnormal laboratory value.

Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin as a biomarker of nephritis in childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus.

OBJECTIVE: Renal involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is associated with poor prognosis. Currently available renal biomarkers are relatively insensitive and nonspecific for diagnosing SLE nephritis. Previous research suggests that neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) is a high-quality renal biomarker of acute kidney injury, while its usefulness in SLE is unclear. We undertook this study to determine the relationship between urinary NGAL excretion and SLE disease activity or damage, with a focus on nephritis. METHODS: A cohort of 35 patients diagnosed as having SLE prior to age 16 years (childhood-onset SLE) was assessed for disease activity (using the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index 2000 update) and damage (using the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology SLE Damage Index) in a double-blind, cross-sectional study. Information on current markers of renal function and disease was obtained and compared with NGAL levels (ng/mg of urinary creatinine) measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Eight children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) served as controls. RESULTS: NGAL levels did not differ with the age, weight, height, sex, or race of the patients. Patients with childhood-onset SLE had significantly higher NGAL levels than did those with JIA (P < 0.0001). NGAL levels were strongly to moderately correlated with renal disease activity and renal damage (Spearman's r >/= 0.47, P < 0.0001 for both comparisons), but not with extrarenal disease activity or extrarenal damage. NGAL levels of >0.6 ng/mg urinary creatinine were 90% sensitive and 100% specific for identifying childhood-onset SLE patients with biopsy-proven nephritis. CONCLUSION: Urinary NGAL is a promising potential biomarker of childhood-onset SLE nephritis. The results of the current study require validation in a larger cohort to more accurately delineate urinary NGAL excretion in relation to the diverse SLE phenotypes.

Cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis in a patient of Asian descent living in the United States.

Cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis is a rare disorder characterized by widely disseminated macular skin eruptions composed of polyclonal lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates associated with variable extracutaneous involvement. Previous reports have been largely restricted to the Japanese literature. We present the first documented case of cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis in a patient residing in the United States. This 49-year-old man, who had immigrated from Korea 19 years earlier, developed innumerable persistent pink-to-brown macular lesions over his trunk and face. Initial and repeat skin biopsy specimens revealed dense perivascular and periadnexal infiltrates of mature plasma cells, and polyclonal plasmacytosis noted on two different biopsy specimens of mildly enlarged lymph nodes. Multiple tiny pulmonary nodules were found to be of the same histologic appearance. No evidence of clonal immunoglobulin gene rearrangements or human herpesvirus type 8 infection was noted in these biopsy specimens. Treatment with antibiotics, systemic chemotherapy, and anti-CD20 antibody therapy failed to eradicate these lesions, which have persisted for 6 years. This case demonstrates that cutaneous and systemic plasmacytosis can arise in a patient of Asian ancestry, even many years after emigration to the United States.

Relapsed thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura presenting as an acute cerebrovascular accident.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) is an uncommon but severe disorder that classically presents with microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA), thrombocytopenia, and fluctuating neurological changes. Previously, it was impossible to make a diagnosis of TTP in the absence of thrombocytopenia or microangiopathic hemolysis (MAHA). We describe two cases of relapsing TTP that presented with acute cerebrovascular accident (CVA) without concurrent thrombocytopenia or MAHA after initial classical presentation of TTP. In both cases, the diagnosis of TTP as the cause of the CVA was attributed to severe deficiency of the von Willebrand factor cleaving protease, ADAMTS13 in plasma (11 and 12%, normal 79-127%). Each patient had a dramatic clinical improvement in response to therapeutic plasma exchange. The experience in these two cases suggests that TTP should be considered as a potential cause among patients presenting with a CVA, particularly if the patients have a history of TTP.