Comparative incidence of thrombosis in reported cases of deficiencies of factors of the contact phase of blood coagulation.

Thrombotic manifestations occurring in patients with coagulation defects have drawn considerable attention during the last decade. It concerned mainly patients with hemophilia, vW disease or FVII deficiency. Occasional reports involved also the deficiencies of the contact phase of blood coagulation, mainly FXII deficiency. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the comparative incidence of thrombosis in all reported patients with FXII, Prekallikrein and Kininogens deficiencies. Out of the reported 341 cases with these conditions that could be tracked there were 43 cases with thrombosis. More specifically, there were 32 patients with FXII deficiency who also had a thrombotic event (16 arterial and 16 venous). As far as Prekallikrein deficiency is concerned, there were nine cases with thrombosis (five arterial and four venous). Finally, two patients with Total or High molecular weight Kininogen deficiencies had also a thrombotic manifestation (one arterial and one venous). The thrombotic manifestations were M.I. 11 cases; ischemic stroke 9 cases; peripheral arteries 3 cases; deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism 17 cases; thrombosis in other veins 3 cases. Congenital or acquired associated prothrombotic risk factors were present in 33 out of 36 cases. In three cases the existence of associated risk factors was excluded whereas in the remaining seven patients no mention is made in this regard. This study clearly indicates that the severe in vitro coagulation defect seen in these conditions does not protect from thrombosis.

Thrombotic events in patients with congenital prekallikrein deficiency: a critical evaluation of all reported cases.

The occurrence of thrombotic events in patients with congenital bleeding conditions has received considerable attention in recent years. The same is true for asymptomatic defects of factors of the contact phase of blood coagulation, mainly FXII. Anecdotal reports on thrombosis in patients with prekallikrein deficiency have occasionally been reported. These involved both arterial and venous thrombosis. The purpose of the present article is to analyze the stories and the clinical pictures of all 75 cases of prekallikrein deficiency published so far. Among these patients were 9 with thrombosis, 6 arterial (myocardial infarction and ischemic stroke) and 3 venous (deep vein thrombosis with or without pulmonary embolism). In 6 cases acquired thrombosis risk factors were present; in 2 cases no associated risk factors were present and in 1 case no information was supplied in this regard. One patient who presented both a stroke and a pulmonary embolism had a fatal outcome. The article clearly indicates that prekallikrein deficiency does not protect from thrombosis in spite of the severe in vitro coagulation defect.

Unexplained discrepancies in the activity--antigen ratio in congenital FX deficiencies with defects in the catalytic domain.

Studies on molecular biology have considerably enhanced our understanding of congenital coagulation disorders but have failed so far to supply tools for an adequate classification of defects. In fact, mutations in the same domain may give rise to different phenotypes. Conversely, mutations in different domains, controlled by different exons, may cause similar patterns. The 37 kindreds with congenital factor X (FX) deficiency, known to have a defect in the catalytic domain, have been evaluated in an attempt to investigate the genotype-phenotype relation. Discrepant results were obtained because about half kindreds showed a type I pattern, namely a concomitant decrease in FX activity and antigen. The other half showed a type II pattern, namely a decrease in FX activity with a normal or near normal FX antigen. In a few instances, the allocation of the kindred either to type I or to type II defect could not be reached, due to the lack of information about the antigen. The comparison of the kindreds in which the same mutation has been discovered by different investigations is not always possible also for lack of information. The study analyzes the need to have a multipronged approach to the study of congenital FX deficiency. The indication of a mutation in a given domain does not provide clear information about the phenotype.

Hemospermia in patients with congenital coagulation disorders: a study of three cases.

Hemospermia is usually a symptom of urological relevance, however it may have also a medical and hematological significance and has been reported in congenital or acquired bleeding disorders. Because of this symptom's negative psychological impact on the patient, it is likely that the condition is underplayed and therefore underdiagnosed. During the years 1967-2003 we had the opportunity to see 3 patients with hemospermia on a congenital bleeding disorder: a patient with hemophilia A, another with prothrombin deficiency and finally a patient with von Willebrand disease type I. All patients were heterosexual. In all instances the course was benign since it required administration of substitution therapy on only 2 occasions. Rest and abstinence from sexual activity appeared to be helpful. The first patient had other signs and symptoms compatible with the diagnosis of urethritis due to Escherichia coli and he underwent a course of antibiotic therapy. The other 2 cases appeared to be idiopathic since no associated condition was found. Urinary cytology, rectal examination, prostate sonography and prostate-specific antigen were normal in all cases. The rarity of hemospermia in congenital bleeding disorders remains unexplained, although the strong perineal and sphincter muscles may exercise a compressive hemostatic effect which could prevent or reduce bleeding.

Control of ovulation-induced hemoperitoneum by oral contraceptives in a patient with congenital hypoprothrombinemia and in another with congenital factor V deficiency.

Hemoperitoneum is a serious and often life-threatening bleeding manifestation. This is particularly true for women who carry congenital bleeding disorders. We describe here a hemoperitoneum occurring in 1 patient with congenital prothrombin deficiency and another with congenital factor V deficiency. Both patients have been followed by us for many years. The patient with prothrombin deficiency underwent laparoscopy but was treated consecutively with whole blood, plasma transfusions and 1,000 units of prothrombin complex concentrates. Response was good and she was then placed on oral contraceptives (OC) which prevented any recurrence. The patient with factor V deficiency presented several episodes of ovulation-related bleeding which required hospitalization and fresh frozen plasma transfusions. On the fifth occasion, the patient had to undergo surgery, and a left oophorectomy was carried out. After this last episode, she was also placed on OC which were very effective in preventing further recurrences. Both patients tolerated the medications very well which, in addition, were able to control menometrorrhagia with a consequent decrease over time in transfusional needs. OC are the treatment of choice in congenital bleeding disorders to control both the menorrhagia and, more importantly, ovulation-related hemoperitoneum.