Immune thrombocytopenia and pregnancy: an exposed/nonexposed cohort study.

The risk of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) worsening during pregnancy and neonatal ITP (NITP) have never been prospectively studied. We included 180 pregnant and 168 nonpregnant women with ITP in a prospective, multicenter, observational cohort study. A total of 131 pregnant women with ITP were matched to 131 nonpregnant women with ITP by history of splenectomy, ITP status (no response, response, complete response), and duration. Groups were followed for 15 months. The primary outcome was the first occurrence of ITP worsening defined by a composite end point including bleeding events and/or severe thrombocytopenia (<30 × 109/L) and/or ITP treatment modification. We also studied the recurrence of ITP worsening and the incidence of NITP and risk factors. The first occurrence of ITP worsening did not differ between pregnant and nonpregnant women with ITP (53.4 per 100 person-years [95% confidence interval {CI}, 40.8-69.9] vs 37.1 [95% CI, 27.5-50.0]; hazard ratio {HR}, 1.35 [95% CI, 0.89-2.03], P = .16). Pregnant women with ITP were more likely to have recurrence of severe thrombocytopenia and treatment modification (HR, 2.71 [95% CI, 1.41-5.23], P = .003; HR, 2.01 [95% CI, 1.14-3.57], P = .017, respectively). However, recurrence of severe bleeding events was not different between groups (P = .4). Nineteen (14%) neonates showed NITP <50 × 109/L. By multivariable analysis, NITP was associated with a previous offspring with NITP and maternal platelet count <50 × 109/L within 3 months before delivery (adjusted odds ratio, 5.55 [95% CI, 1.72-17.89], P = .004 and 4.07 [95% CI, 1.41-11.73], P = .009). To conclude, women with ITP do not increase their risk of severe bleeding during pregnancy. NITP is associated with NITP history and the severity of maternal ITP during pregnancy. These results will be useful for counseling women with ITP.

Differences between aquagenic and non-aquagenic pruritus in myeloproliferative neoplasms: An observational study of 500 patients.

BACKGROUND: Pruritus is a frequent symptom experienced by patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). Aquagenic pruritus (AP) is the most common type. The Myeloproliferative Neoplasm-Symptom Assessment Form Total Symptom Score (MPN-SAF TSS) self-report questionnaires were distributed to MPN patients before consultations. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess clinical incidence (phenotypical evolution and response to treatment) of pruritus, especially AP, in MPN patients during their follow-ups. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We collected 1444 questionnaires from 504 patients [54.4% essential thrombocythaemia (ET) patients, 37.7% polycythaemia vera (PV) patients, and 7.9% primary myelofibrosis (PMF) patients]. RESULTS: Pruritus was reported by 49.8% of the patients, including 44.6% of AP patients, regardless of type of MPN or driver mutations. Patients suffering from pruritus were more symptomatic and had a higher rate of evolution into myelofibrosis/acute myeloid leukaemia (19.5% vs. 9.1%, OR = 2.42 [1.39; 4.32], p = 0.0009) than MPN patients without pruritus. Patients with AP had the highest pruritus intensity values (p = 0.008) and a higher rate of evolution (25.9% vs. 14.4%, p = 0.025, OR = 2.07) than patients with non-AP. Disappearance of pruritus was observed in only 16.7% of AP cases, compared to 31.7% of cases with other types of pruritus (p < 0.0001). Ruxolitinib and hydroxyurea were the most effective drugs to reduce AP intensity. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we demonstrate the global incidence of pruritus across all MPN. Pruritus, especially AP, which is a major constitutional symptom observed in MPN, should be assessed in all MPN patients due to higher symptom burden and higher risk of evolution.

rFVIII-Fc in severe haemophilia A: The incentive switch in case of high risk of joint bleedings.

BACKGROUND: Efmoroctocog alfa, the first recombinant factor VIII fusion protein with extended half-life (rFVIII-Fc), has been hypothesized to lower FVIII consumption in patients with severe Haemophilia A (pwSHA), without reducing clinical efficacy. What about real life? METHOD: MOTHIF-II was a noninterventional, multicentre, before/after study, via the collection of retrospective data from July 2015 to June 2016 (called T1), and from July 2017 to June 2018 (called T2), in 7 French haemophilia treatment centres. We examined the prescriptions and dispensations of factor VIII and the Annual Bleeding Rate (ABR), in pwSHA without current inhibitors on prophylaxis, before and after the introduction of rFVIII-Fc. The data gathered from the BERHLINGO research database and from the French Healthcare claims database with a determinist pairing process based on the national unique identification number. RESULTS: A total of 156 pwSHA were included in the prescription cohort and 83 in the ABR cohort. For switched patients, the mean amounts of prescribed FVIII were significantly higher during T1 compared to T2 (4333 (2052) vs. 3921 (2029) IU/kg/year/patient, p: 0.028); a significant decrease in their ABR was also observed between T1 and T2 (6.3 (6.0) vs. 4.4 (5.4), p: 0.047). These patients had a more severe bleeding profile centred on haemarthrosis. CONCLUSION: The results are related to those of the pivotal clinical trials for the reduction in FVIII consumption following the switch to rFVIII-Fc, with a significant improvement in the haemorrhagic phenotype for pwSHA.

Acquired von Willebrand syndrome and lymphoid neoplasms: A review of malignancy management, and propositions of practical recommendations.

INTRODUCTION: Acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AWS) is a rare and potentially life-threatening bleeding disorder. AWS is primarily associated with lymphocyte-related disorders (AWS-LRD), such as lymphoma and IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), and plasmocyte-related disorders (AWS-PRD), such as non-IgM MGUS and myeloma. Symptomatic treatments are important to control and prevent bleeding, but AWS-LRD and AWS-PRD can only be cured by targeting the responsible clonal cell. No reviews exist on this specific subgroup of AWS. AIM: We performed a literature review to help manage these rare cases. METHOD: Thirty-two AWS-PRD and 43 AWS-LRD cases with data on malignancy treatment were reported in 56 articles from the Medline database. RESULTS: LRDs were exclusively indolent and primarily associated with IgM monoclonal compounds. LRDs and PRDs may be treated because of severe bleeding symptoms, but severe VWF deficiency did not necessarily correlate with severe bleeding. Immunosuppressive drugs in AWS-PRD, including rituximab, provided an overall response rate of AWS (AWS-ORR) of 30% (3/10), including short responses. Anti-myeloma drugs provided an AWS-ORR of 71.4% (20/28), with long-lasting remissions. Bortezomib was the most commonly used drug and provided an AWS-ORR of 66.7% (6/9), including therapeutic associations with other anti-myeloma drugs. Autologous and allogeneic stem cell transplantation was performed in eight and two patients, respectively, and some details on the management of AWS during these procedures were provided. Rituximab in AWS-LRD provided an AWS-ORR of 60% (3/5), and a chemotherapy + rituximab regimen increased the AWS-ORR to above 50%. Bleeding syndrome in AWS-PRD and AWS-LRD generally improved prior to AWS biological improvement. CONCLUSION: Long term remission of AWS due to lymphoid neoplasms is attainable by treating the underlying clonal cell. Some data and recommendations are provided to help answer difficult questions, including treatment timing, choice of drug, and the timing of evaluations and treatment changes.

Efficacy and safety of a recombinant Von Willebrand Factor treatment in patients with inherited Von Willebrand Disease requiring surgical procedures.

INTRODUCTION: Von Willebrand Disease is a common inherited haemorrhagic disorder due to a deficiency of Von Willebrand Factor (VWF). In case of surgical procedures in patients who are not responsive or have contraindications to desmopressin, replacement therapy with VWF concentrates is indicated. Until recently, only plasma-derived VWF concentrates were available. A new recombinant VWF (rVWF) concentrate that contains no Factor VIII (FVIII) but a high amount of high molecular weight VWF multimers has been available in France since 2018. AIM: Describe real-world experience of using rVWF in surgical procedures. METHODS: Sixty-three surgeries for 55 patients were retrospectively analysed in 7 French haemostasis centres. RESULTS: During minor surgeries, the median (range) number of infusions was 1 (1-8) with a preoperative loading dose of 35 (19-56) rVWF IU/kg and a total median dose of 37.5 IU (12-288). During major surgeries, the median (range) number of infusions was only 3 (1-14) with a median preoperative loading dose of 36 IU (12-51) rVWF IU/kg, and a total median dose of 108 IU (22-340) rVWF IU/kg. The overall clinical efficacy was qualified as excellent/good in 61 of the procedures (97%), moderate in 1 (1.5%) and poor in 1 (1.5%). There was no accumulation of VWF or FVIII during postoperative monitoring. No thromboembolic events, anti-VWF antibodies or adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: This French 'real-world' experience shows that a few infusions and low doses of rVWF provided effective prevention of bleeding in major and minor surgeries in inherited VWD, with no clinically significant safety concerns.

Bleeding complications during pregnancy and delivery in haemophilia carriers and their neonates in Western France: An observational study.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy, delivery and the postpartum period expose haemophilia carriers, as well as their potentially affected neonates to a high risk of haemorrhagic complications. OBJECTIVES: To describe bleeding complications in haemophilia carriers and their newborns throughout pregnancy and postpartum and to identify potential factors increasing the risk of bleeding in this population. PATIENTS/METHODS: The ECHANGE multicentre observational cohort study was conducted between January 2014 and February 2019 using the BERHLINGO database comprised of patients from seven French haemophilia centres. RESULTS: During the 5 years study period, a total of 104 haemophilia carriers and 119 neonates were included, representing 124 pregnancies and 117 deliveries. Thirty-five (30%) bleeding events were observed, most of them (83%) occurred during the postpartum period, and 37% were reported during the secondary postpartum. Neuraxial anaesthesia was not complicated by spinal haematoma. Three (2.5%) neonates experienced cerebral bleeding. Caesarean section was associated with an increased risk of maternal bleeding in primary and secondary postpartum periods. Basal factor level <0.4 IU/mL was also found to be associated with an increased risk of bleeding during secondary postpartum. CONCLUSION: In our cohort, bleeding events occurred in more than a third of haemophilia carriers mainly in the postpartum period, and a significant portion of this bleeding occurred during the secondary postpartum. Haemophilia carriers warrant specific attention during primary and secondary postpartum, in particular in case of caesarean section and low basal factor level. The ECHANGE study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT03360149.

Six months versus two years of oral anticoagulation after a first episode of unprovoked deep-vein thrombosis. The PADIS-DVT randomized clinical trial.

The optimal duration of anticoagulation after a first episode of unprovoked deep-vein thrombosis is uncertain. We aimed to assess the benefits and risks of an additional 18 months of treatment with warfarin versus placebo, after an initial 6 months of anticoagulation for a first unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis. We conducted a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial comparing an additional 18 months of warfarin with placebo in patients with a unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis initially treated for 6 months (treatment period: 18 months; follow up after treatment period: 24 months). The primary outcome was the composite of recurrent venous thromboembolism or major bleeding at 18 months. Secondary outcomes were the composite at 42 months, as well as each component of the composite, and death unrelated to pulmonary embolism or major bleeding, at 18 and 42 months. All outcomes were centrally adjudicated. A total of 104 patients, enrolled between July 2007 and October 2013 were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis; no patient was lost to follow-up. During the 18-month treatment period, the primary outcome occurred in none of the 50 patients in the warfarin group and in 16 out of 54 patients (cumulative risk, 29.6%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.03; 95% confidence interval: 0.01 to 0.09; P<0.001). During the entire 42-month study period, the composite outcome occurred in 14 patients (cumulative risk, 36.8%) in the warfarin group and 17 patients (cumulative risk, 31.5%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.72; 95% confidence interval: 0.35-1.46). In conclusion, after a first unprovoked proximal deep-vein thrombosis initially treated for 6 months, an additional 18 months of warfarin therapy reduced the composite of recurrent venous thrombosis and major bleeding compared to placebo. However, this benefit was not maintained after stopping anticoagulation. Clinical registration: this trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00740493.

A very potent factor V inhibitor interferes with the levels of all coagulation factors and causes a fatal hemorrhagic syndrome.

We report a very high factor V inhibitor affecting the measurement of all coagulation factors besides fibrinogen, all these factors being dramatically decreased. This inhibitor could be linked to antibiotic use. The patient died of massive hemorrhage before a plasma exchange could be initiated.

Risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism after unprovoked pulmonary embolism: the PADIS-PE randomised trial.

We aimed to identify risk factors for recurrent venous thromboembolism (VTE) after unprovoked pulmonary embolism.Analyses were based on the double-blind randomised PADIS-PE trial, which included 371 patients with a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism initially treated during 6 months who were randomised to receive an additional 18 months of warfarin or placebo and followed up for 2 years after study treatment discontinuation. All patients had ventilation/perfusion lung scan at inclusion (i.e. at 6 months of anticoagulation).During a median follow-up of 41 months, recurrent VTE occurred in 67 out of 371 patients (6.8 events per 100 person-years). In main multivariate analysis, the hazard ratio for recurrence was 3.65 (95% CI 1.33-9.99) for age 50-65 years, 4.70 (95% CI 1.78-12.40) for age >65 years, 2.06 (95% CI 1.14-3.72) for patients with pulmonary vascular obstruction index (PVOI) ≥5% at 6 months and 2.38 (95% CI 1.15-4.89) for patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. When considering that PVOI at 6 months would not be available in practice, PVOI ≥40% at pulmonary embolism diagnosis (present in 40% of patients) was also associated with a 2-fold increased risk of recurrence.After a first unprovoked pulmonary embolism, age, PVOI at pulmonary embolism diagnosis or after 6 months of anticoagulation and antiphospholipid antibodies were found to be independent predictors for recurrence.

Long-acting recombinant coagulation factor IX albumin fusion protein (rIX-FP) in hemophilia B: results of a phase 3 trial.

A global phase 3 study evaluated the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety of recombinant fusion protein linking coagulation factor IX with albumin (rIX-FP) in 63 previously treated male patients (12-61 years) with severe hemophilia B (factor IX [FIX] activity ≤2%). The study included 2 groups: group 1 patients received routine prophylaxis once every 7 days for 26 weeks, followed by either 7-, 10-, or 14-day prophylaxis regimen for a mean of 50, 38, or 51 weeks, respectively; group 2 patients received on-demand treatment of bleeding episodes for 26 weeks and then switched to a 7-day prophylaxis regimen for a mean of 45 weeks. The mean terminal half-life of rIX-FP was 102 hours, 4.3-fold longer than previous FIX treatment. Patients maintained a mean trough of 20 and 12 IU/dL FIX activity on prophylaxis with rIX-FP 40 IU/kg weekly and 75 IU/kg every 2 weeks, respectively. There was 100% reduction in median annualized spontaneous bleeding rate (AsBR) and 100% resolution of target joints when subjects switched from on-demand to prophylaxis treatment with rIX-FP (P< .0001). The median AsBR was 0.00 for all prophylaxis regimens. Overall, 98.6% of bleeding episodes were treated successfully, including 93.6% that were treated with a single injection. No patient developed an inhibitor, and no safety concerns were identified. These results indicate rIX-FP is safe and effective for preventing and treating bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia B at dosing regimens of 40 IU/kg weekly and 75 IU/kg every 2 weeks. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT0101496274.

Immune thrombocytopenia in adults: a prospective cohort study of clinical features and predictors of outcome.

This prospective observational cohort study aimed to explore the clinical features of incident immune thrombocytopenia in adults and predictors of outcome, while determining if a family history of autoimmune disorder is a risk factor for immune thrombocytopenia. All adults, 18 years of age or older, recently diagnosed with immune thrombocytopenia were consecutively recruited across 21 hospital centers in France. Data were collected at diagnosis and after 12 months. Predictors of chronicity at 12 months were explored using logistic regression models. The association between family history of autoimmune disorder and the risk of developing immune thrombocytopenia was explored using a conditional logistic regression model after matching each case to 10 controls. One hundred and forty-three patients were included: 63% female, mean age 48 years old (Standard Deviation=19), and 84% presented with bleeding symptoms. Median platelet count was 10×10(9)/L. Initial treatment was required in 82% of patients. After 12 months, only 37% of patients not subject to disease-modifying interventions achieved cure. The sole possible predictor of chronicity at 12 months was a higher platelet count at baseline [Odds Ratio 1.03; 95%CI: 1.00, 1.06]. No association was found between outcome and any of the following features: age, sex, presence of either bleeding symptoms or antinuclear antibodies at diagnosis. Likewise, family history of autoimmune disorder was not associated with incident immune thrombocytopenia. Immune thrombocytopenia in adults has been shown to progress to a chronic form in the majority of patients. A lower platelet count could be indicative of a more favorable outcome.

A case-control study to assess the risk of immune thrombocytopenia associated with vaccines.

The cause of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) remains unknown. Studies have suggested immunizations as possible triggering factors of ITP through molecular mimicry. This case-control study explored potential associations between adult ITP and various routinely administered vaccines. A network of internal medicine and hematology centers across France recruited 198 incident (ie, newly diagnosed) cases of ITP between April 2008 and June 2011. These cases were compared with 878 age- and sex-matched controls without ITP recruited in general practice. Information on vaccination was obtained from patients' standardized telephone interviews. Sixty-six of 198 cases (33.3%) and 303 of 878 controls (34.5%) received at least 1 vaccine within the 12 months before the index date. We found no evidence of an increase in ITP after vaccination in the previous 6 or 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [OR] for the previous 12 months = 1.0; 95% confidence interval, 0.7-1.4). When the 2-month time window was used, higher ORs were observed for all vaccines (OR = 1.3). This increase was mainly attributable to the vaccination against diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis-poliomyelitis (OR = 1.5) and was not statistically significant. The results of the present study show that in an adult population, the exposure to common vaccines is on average not associated with an observable risk of developing ITP.

Key Drivers of Coagulation Factor Use in Von Willebrand Disease During Hospitalization: An Overview of the French BERHLINGO Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is the most common inherited bleeding disorder. However, studies of hospitalisation patterns with replacement treatment are scarce. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the current therapeutic management of VWD and determine the key drivers of coagulation factor uses in patients during hospitalisation. METHODS: Hopscotch-WILL was a multi-centric retrospective study conducted over a 48-month period in any patients with VWD. The data were collected from the BERHLINGO Research Database and the French Hospital database. RESULTS: A total of 988 patients were included; 153 patients (15%) were hospitalised during 293 stays requiring treatment with von Willebrand factor (VWF) concentrates-pure or in association with Factor VIII (FVIII). Their median basal concentrations of VWF and FVIII were significantly lower than in untreated patients: VWF antigen < 30 IU/dL, VWF activity < 20 IU/dL and FVIII:C < 40 IU/dL. The median (interquartile range) concentrate consumption was similar between highly purified VWF or VWF combined with FVIII (72 [110] vs 57 [89] IU/kg/stay, p = 0.154). The use of VWF was highly heterogeneous by VWD type; type 3 had a particularly high impact on VWF consumption in non-surgical situations. The main admissions were for ear/nose/throat, hepato-gastroenterology, and trauma/orthopaedic conditions, besides gynaecological-obstetric causes in women. CONCLUSIONS: The use of VWF concentrates is mostly influenced by low basal levels of VWF and FVIII, but also by VWD type or the cause for hospitalisation. These results could inform future studies of newly released recombinant VWF.

Predelivery Haemostatic Biomarkers in Women with Non-Severe Postpartum Haemorrhage.

Background: Postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) is a frequent complication of childbirth that is difficult to predict. Predelivery coagulation biomarkers may help to guide preventive strategies. Our objective was to evaluate the association of predelivery haemostatic biomarkers with non-severe PPH. Methods: A nested case-control study was conducted within the « Study of Biological Determinants of Bleeding Postpartum ¼ in order to compare different haemostatic biomarkers in plasma from pregnant women with non-severe PPH (cases) and controls without PPH matched for age, body mass index, term, and mode of delivery. Blood was collected at entry in the delivery room. Global haemostatic assays (thrombin generation assay (TGA) and plasmin generation assay (PGA)) were then performed on freshly thawed aliquots of platelet-poor plasma. Results: A total of 370 pregnant women (185 cases and 185 controls) were included. Median [interquartile range] predelivery platelet count was lower in PPH cases than in controls (217 [181-259] versus 242 [196-280] G/L). TGA and PGA parameters were similar between cases and controls. In a subset analysis of vaginal deliveries (n = 144), median predelivery TGA thrombin peak was lower, and median predelivery PGA lag phase was longer in cases compared to controls. In multivariable analysis, only predelivery platelet count was independently associated with non-severe PPH. Conclusions: Predelivery platelet count is associated with non-severe PPH. Differences in other haemostatic parameters are tenuous, questioning their usefulness in predicting non-severe PPH.

Type 2N von Willebrand disease: Genotype drives different bleeding phenotypes and treatment needs.

BACKGROUND: Von Willebrand disease type 2N (VWD2N) is usually perceived as a mild bleeding disorder that can be treated by desmopressin (DDAVP). However, VWD2N-patients can be compound heterozygous or homozygous for different variants, p.Arg854Gln (R854Q) being the most frequent causative one. There is limited data about the impact of 2N-variants on VWD2N phenotype and DDAVP-response. OBJECTIVES: To describe the phenotype of VWD2N, including DDAVP-response, according to genotype. PATIENTS/METHODS: VWD2N-patients with a complete genotype/phenotype characterization by the French reference center for VWD, including MCMDM-1VWD bleeding score (BS) were eligible to the study. Results of DDAVP-trial were also collected. RESULTS: A total of 123 VWD2N-patients from the French registry were included in this study. Results were stratified according to the presence (R854QPos, n=114) or absence (R854QNeg, n=9) of at least one R854Q-allele. Three R854QPos-subgroups were further individualized: patients homozygous (R854QHmz, n=55), compound heterozygous for R854Q and a null allele (R854Q/3, n=48) or compound heterozygous for R854Q and another 2N variant (R854Q/2N, n=11). FVIII: C levels were significantly lower in R854QNeg- and R854Q/3-patients compared to R854QHmz-ones (p<0.001 and p<0.0001 respectively). R854QNeg-patients were diagnosed earlier due to bleeding symptoms and had a higher BS than R854QPos-patients (p<0.001). In DDAVP-trial, FVIII:C survival was lower in VWD type 2N than in type 1. R854QPos-patients had a heterogeneous DDAVP-response, which was best predicted by baseline FVIII:C level. CONCLUSION: The heterogeneous genetic background of VWD2N drives different bleeding phenotypes and response patterns to DDAVP, underlining the clinical relevance of DDAVP-trial to identify patients potentially eligible to alternative therapeutic options.

Atrial fibrillation and peripheral arterial disease define MPN patients with very high risk of thrombosis.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) are associated with a high risk of thrombotic and hemorrhagic complications, especially in elderly patients. Atrial fibrillation (AF) and peripheral arterial disease (PAD), also frequently discovered in aging patients, are associated with similar complications. We analysed the incidence and complication rates of AF and PAD in a large cohort of MPN patients. In total, 289/1113 patients (26 %) suffered at least one of these diseases as follows: 179 (16.1 %) with AF alone, 81 with PAD alone (7.3 %) and 29 (2.6 %) with both conditions. Postdiagnosis thrombotic events were observed in 31.3 % of AF patients (p = 0.002, OR = 1.80 [1.23;2.61]), 35.8 % of PAD patients (p = 0.002, OR = 2.21[1.31;3.67]) and 62.1 % of AF/PAD patients (p < 0.0001, OR = 6.47 [2.83;15.46]) compared to 20.1 % of no-AF/no-PAD patients. Postdiagnosis hemorrhagic events were also identified in 17.9 %, 16 %, 24.1 % and 10.1 % of AF, PAD, AF/PAD, and no-AF/no-PAD patients, respectively (p = 0.003). This significantly higher risk of thrombosis/bleeding was also observed in patients <60 years old. AF and PAD were significant risk factors for both thrombotic and hemorrhagic risks in multivariate analysis. We identified AF and PAD as criteria for high risk of thrombosis, hemorrhage, and death, emphasizing the interest in early detection and efficient treatment of these conditions.

A French Real-World Evidence Study Evaluating the Efficacy, Safety, and Pharmacokinetic Parameters of rVIII-SingleChain in Patients with Hemophilia A Receiving Prophylaxis.

BACKGROUND: rVIII-SingleChain is a recombinant factor VIII (FVIII) with increased binding affinity to von Willebrand factor compared with other FVIII products. rVIII-SingleChain is indicated for the treatment and prevention of bleeding episodes in patients with hemophilia A. OBJECTIVES: To collect real-world evidence data from patients treated with rVIII-SingleChain to confirm the efficacy and safety established in the clinical trial program and carry out a population pharmacokinetic (PK) analysis. METHODS: This interim analysis includes data, collected between January 2018 - September 2021, from patients treated with rVIII-SingleChain prophylaxis at French Hemophilia Treatment centers. Data on annualized bleeding rates, dosing frequency, and consumption before and after switching to rVIII-SingleChain were recorded. A population PK analysis was also conducted to estimate PK parameters. RESULTS: Overall, 43 patients switched to prophylaxis with rVIII-SingleChain either from a previous prophylaxis regimen or from on-demand treatment. Following the switch to rVIII-SingleChain, patients maintained excellent bleed control. After switching to rVIII-SingleChain, most patients maintained or reduced their regimen. Interestingly, a majority of patients treated >2 ×/weekly with a standard half-life FVIII reduced both injection frequency and FVIII consumption with rVIII-SingleChain. A PK analysis revealed a lower clearance of rVIII-SingleChain (1.9 vs. 2.1 dL/h) and a longer half-life both in adolescents/adults (n = 28) and pediatric (n = 6) patients (15.5 and 11.9 hours, respectively vs. 14.5 and 10.3 hours) than previously reported. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who switched to rVIII-SingleChain prophylaxis demonstrated excellent bleed control and a reduction in infusion frequency. A population PK analysis revealed improved PK parameters compared with those reported in the clinical trial.

Women with severe postpartum hemorrhage have a decreased endogenous thrombin potential before delivery.

BACKGROUND: Severe postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), defined as a blood loss ≥1000 mL, is associated with maternal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVES: We aimed at characterizing coagulation properties of predelivery plasmas from pregnant women with thrombin generation assay and hemostatic biomarkers (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tissue factor [TF], and thrombomodulin). METHODS: A nested case-control study was conducted within the "Study of Biological Determinants of Bleeding Postpartum," a French prospective cohort study, in order to compare women with severe PPH (cases) and controls matched for age, body mass index, term, and mode of delivery. Plasma was collected at entry in the delivery room, and blood loss was measured objectively. The predelivery endogenous thrombin generation potential (ETP) was measured in plasma using calibrated automated thrombinography and low TF concentration. Hemostatic biomarkers were measured using ELISA kits. RESULTS: A total of 142 women (71 cases and 71 controls) were investigated. There was no difference in the median lag phase, thrombin peak, and time to peak between cases and controls. However, median predelivery ETP was lower in cases than in controls (2170 vs 2408 nM.min, P < .0001), independently of mode of delivery and PPH etiology. Median plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and TF levels were higher in cases compared with controls (107.4 vs 68.1 ng/mL, P = .0003; 34.4 vs 27.4 pg/mL, P = .007), whereas thrombomodulin levels did not differ between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Among thrombin generation assay parameters, predelivery ETP levels may have a predictive value for severe PPH.

Clinical risk factors for vasculo-placental disorders: results from a prospective case-control study nested in HEMOTHEPP French cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: Determine clinical risk factors for vasculo-placental disorders in singleton pregnancies. DESIGN: Prospective case-control study nested in HEMOTHEPP French cohort. SETTING: Women delivered between June, 2015 and January, 2019 in any maternity ward of Finistère. POPULATION: Cases were women with vasculo-placental disorders (pre-eclampsia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), placental abruption or stillbirth). Controls were women matched for age at delivery and parity. METHODS: Clinical data were collected by obstetricians or midwives during antenatal care visits and delivery, and recorded by trained research assistants. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Occurrence of a vasculo-placental disorder. RESULTS: 505 women with vasculo-placental disorder (299 pre-eclampsia, 253 IUGR, 44 placental abruptions, 11 stillbirths) and 1515 matched controls were selected out of 20,075 participants. In multivariable analysis, four clinical parameters were associated with pre-eclampsia: obesity (Odd ratio (OR) = 3.11, 95%CI 2.11-4.58), French overseas origin (OR = 4.41, 95%CI 1.87-10.42), previous vasculo-placental disorder (OR = 5.14, 95%CI 2.72-9.70), aspirin during pregnancy (OR = 10.10, 95%CI 1.99-51.08). Three clinical parameters were associated with IUGR: auto-immune/inflammatory disorder (OR = 3.75, 95%CI 1.83-7.68), previous vasculo-placental disorder (OR = 3.63, 95%CI 2.06-6.41), smoking during pregnancy (OR = 2.66, 95%CI 1.91- 3.71). A previous venous thromboembolism (VTE) was associated with IUGR in univariable but not in multivariable analysis (OR = 3.72, 95%CI 0.82-17.00, p = 0.09). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical risk factors differ between IUGR and pre-eclampsia, the later, but not the former, being associated with cardiovascular risk factors.