Apparent Efficacy of Low-Dose Constant-Infusion Crotalidae Antivenom for Control of Defibrinogenation Recurrence Syndrome Following Envenomation by the Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus adamanteus)

Background: Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake bites produce coagulopathy in the bite victims. The syndrome is treated with antivenom called Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab. However following resolution of coagulopathy with the antidote, and sometimes days later, fibrinogen drops to very low levels. Rare bleeding may occur due to this recurrent defibrinogenation syndrome. No guidelines exist at this time of how these patients should be treated. However, many centers repeat the initial treatment protocol using another 6-18 vials of antidote acquiring significant treatment costs. Methods: We analyzed all cases treated at the University of Florida between 2013 and 2014 for the rattlesnake bites.  All cases were treated with Crotalidae Polyvalent Immune Fab as recommended per manufacturer recommendations upon initial presentation.  However, upon the recurrence of defibrinogenation, we administered the antivenom 1 vial diluted in 250 ml of normal saline and administered by continuous IV infusion over 2 to 12 hours tapered over 2 to 3 days. The patients and their coagulation labs were monitored at least daily during the recurrence of the defibrinogenation. Results: We identified 5 cases treated for Eastern Diamondback snake bites. All cases had recurrent defibrinogenation syndrome and treated as described above. All patients had normalization in their fibrinogen levels with the reinstitution of the antidote. Additionally, none of them had any further bleeding. No chills, fevers or cloudiness of solution reported during the continuous antidote administration

Identifying existing Choosing Wisely recommendations of high relevance and importance to hematology

Choosing Wisely (CW) is a medical stewardship initiative led by the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation in collaboration with professional medical societies in the United States. In an effort to learn from and leverage the work of others, the American Society of Hematology CW Task Force developed a method to identify and prioritize CW recommendations from other medical societies of high relevance and importance to patients with blood disorders and their physicians. All 380 CW recommendations were reviewed and assessed for relevance and importance. Relevance was assessed using the MORE TM relevance scale. Importance was assessed with regard to six guiding principles: harm avoidance, evidence, aggregate cost, relevance, frequency and impact. Harm avoidance was considered the most important principle. Ten highly relevant and important recommendations were identified from a variety of professional societies. Recommendations focused on decreasing unnecessary imaging, blood work, treatments and transfusions, as well as on increasing collaboration across disciplines and considering value when recommending treatments. Many CW recommendations have relevance beyond the society of origin. The methods developed by the ASH CW Task Force could be easily adapted by other Societies to identify additional CW recommendations of relevance and importance to their fields. Am. J. Hematol. 91:787–792, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

American Society of Hematology 2019 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism : prevention of venous thromboembolism in surgical hospitalized patients

Background: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a common source of perioperative morbidity and mortality. Objective: These evidence-based guidelines from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) intend to support decision making about preventing VTE in patients undergoing surgery. Methods: ASH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel balanced to minimize bias from conflicts of interest. The McMaster University GRADE Centre supported the guideline-development process, including performing systematic reviews. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess evidence and make recommendations, which were subject to public comment. Results: The panel agreed on 30 recommendations, including for major surgery in general (n = 8), orthopedic surgery (n = 7), major general surgery (n = 3), major neurosurgical procedures (n = 2), urological surgery (n = 4), cardiac surgery and major vascular surgery (n = 2), major trauma (n = 2), and major gynecological surgery (n = 2). Conclusions: For patients undergoing major surgery in general, the panel made conditional recommendations for mechanical prophylaxis over no prophylaxis, for pneumatic compression prophylaxis over graduated compression stockings, and against inferior vena cava filters. In patients undergoing total hip or total knee arthroplasty, conditional recommendations included using either aspirin or anticoagulants, as well as for a direct oral anticoagulant over low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). For major general surgery, the panel suggested pharmacological prophylaxis over no prophylaxis, using LMWH or unfractionated heparin. For major neurosurgery, transurethral resection of the prostate, or radical prostatectomy, the panel suggested against pharmacological prophylaxis. For major trauma surgery or major gynecological surgery, the panel suggested pharmacological prophylaxis over no prophylaxis.Peer reviewe

Antiinflammatory Therapy with Canakinumab for Atherosclerotic Disease

Background: Experimental and clinical data suggest that reducing inflammation without affecting lipid levels may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, the inflammatory hypothesis of atherothrombosis has remained unproved. Methods: We conducted a randomized, double-blind trial of canakinumab, a therapeutic monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-1β, involving 10,061 patients with previous myocardial infarction and a high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level of 2 mg or more per liter. The trial compared three doses of canakinumab (50 mg, 150 mg, and 300 mg, administered subcutaneously every 3 months) with placebo. The primary efficacy end point was nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke, or cardiovascular death. RESULTS: At 48 months, the median reduction from baseline in the high-sensitivity C-reactive protein level was 26 percentage points greater in the group that received the 50-mg dose of canakinumab, 37 percentage points greater in the 150-mg group, and 41 percentage points greater in the 300-mg group than in the placebo group. Canakinumab did not reduce lipid levels from baseline. At a median follow-up of 3.7 years, the incidence rate for the primary end point was 4.50 events per 100 person-years in the placebo group, 4.11 events per 100 person-years in the 50-mg group, 3.86 events per 100 person-years in the 150-mg group, and 3.90 events per 100 person-years in the 300-mg group. The hazard ratios as compared with placebo were as follows: in the 50-mg group, 0.93 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.30); in the 150-mg group, 0.85 (95% CI, 0.74 to 0.98; P = 0.021); and in the 300-mg group, 0.86 (95% CI, 0.75 to 0.99; P = 0.031). The 150-mg dose, but not the other doses, met the prespecified multiplicity-adjusted threshold for statistical significance for the primary end point and the secondary end point that additionally included hospitalization for unstable angina that led to urgent revascularization (hazard ratio vs. placebo, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.73 to 0.95; P = 0.005). Canakinumab was associated with a higher incidence of fatal infection than was placebo. There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality (hazard ratio for all canakinumab doses vs. placebo, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.83 to 1.06; P = 0.31). Conclusions: Antiinflammatory therapy targeting the interleukin-1β innate immunity pathway with canakinumab at a dose of 150 mg every 3 months led to a significantly lower rate of recurrent cardiovascular events than placebo, independent of lipid-level lowering. (Funded by Novartis; CANTOS ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01327846.

Congenital Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura - Safer Treatment with Plasma-Derived Viral-Attenuated Clotting Factor

Abstract Congenital Thrombotic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (cTTP) has been considered a very rare disorder. Several international registries have estimated 250 patients worldwide. While the total number of patients in the U.S. is unknown, an ongoing U.S. Registry has recorded only 89 patients. (Singleton et al NORD 2014) Therapy for this disease, for prophylaxis and treatment, has been replacement of the absent ADAMTS13 with fresh frozen plasma (FFP). The major complication has been allergic reactions including anaphylaxis making this treatment unviable for some patients. Virally- inactivated FFP is not readily available in the U.S. A recombinant ADAMTS13 is in initial PK studies. There have been anecdotal reports that a plasma-derived FVIII/vWF biologic (Koate-DVI), double virally inactivated, FVIII replacement product, has been successfully used prophylactically in cTTP patients in lieu of FFP therapy to prevent episodes of TTP (Naik et al J Pediatr Hematol Oncol 2013). No other therapeutic biologic has been able to provide this benefit. Pursuant to that observation, two independent laboratories in the U.S. and Italy conducted analyses of the content of ADAMTS13 in several FVIII concentrates. The ADAMTS13 content in reconstituted concentrate of Koate-DVI was up to 9.08 + 0.70 units/ml, and was substantially higher than other FVIII products and pooled plasma. Table 1 and Table 2 We report here a cohort of 10 cTTP patients currently being managed with Koate-DVI prophylaxis. The average age of the patients is 15 years (range 7-22 years). The patients are being treated with a dose range of 25 to 40 IU/kg, at an average of once per week. This dose of Koate-DVI (containing 100 IU FVIII/ml after reconstitution) will provide approximately 2 to 4 IU/kg of ADAMTS13. Patients have been treated for variable lengths of time ranging from less than a year to over 10 years. The patients have responded very well to the Koate-DVI treatment; no severe adverse events or allergic reactions have been reported. We are prospectively comparing the frequency of new TTP episodes in this cohort with the frequency observed prior to initiation of this therapy. We report a unique experience of 10 cTTP patients being successfully managed prophylactically at home with self-infusion of Koate-DVI (Factor VIII concentrate with a long history of viral safety in the treatment of hemophilia A). These patients are receiving a convenient virally-inactivated alternative to FFP without manifesting life-threatening allergic reactions that require immunosuppression and/or hospitalization. A prospective clinical study of the safety and efficacy of Koate-DVI is planned. Table 1. Concentrate ADAMTS13 activity U/mL ADAMTS13 antigen U/mL Koate-DVI (5 lots) 9.08 ± 0.70 8.42 ± 0.12 Product A 0.12 0.13 Product B 0.22 0.61 Product C 2.30 3.87 (Peyvandi et al Am J Hematol 2013) Table 2. Concentrate ADAMTS13 Units/ml Koate-DVI 5.77 Product A 0.18 Product B 0.23 Product C 1.40 (Konkle Personal Communication 2013) Disclosures Aledort: Kedrion BioPharma: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Baxter Healthcare: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Other: DSMB Participation. Off Label Use: Koate-DVI is indicated for the treatment of classical hemophilia (hemophilia A) in which there is a demonstrated deficiency of activity of the plasma clotting factor, factor VIII. This presentation discusses the use of factor VIII concentrate for ADAMTS13 deficiency.. Boggio:CSL Behring: Consultancy, Research Funding; Baxter: Consultancy, Research Funding; Selexys: Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Research Funding; OctaPharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; OPKO: Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Research Funding. Kobrinsky:Octapharma: Speakers Bureau; CSL Behring: Speakers Bureau; Sanofi: Speakers Bureau; Kedrion Biopharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Rajasekhar:American Society of Hematology: Research Funding; Octapharma: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Baxter Healthcare: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Alexion: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Bayer: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Shapiro:Baxalta: Research Funding; Shire: Speakers Bureau; BioCryst: Research Funding. Ulsh:Kedrion Biopharma: Employment

American Society of Hematology 2018 guidelines for management of venous thromboembolism: venous thromboembolism in the context of pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism (VTE) complicates ∼1.2 of every 1000 deliveries. Despite these low absolute risks, pregnancy-associated VTE is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: These evidence-based guidelines of the American Society of Hematology (ASH) are intended to support patients, clinicians and others in decisions about the prevention and management of pregnancy-associated VTE. METHODS: ASH formed a multidisciplinary guideline panel balanced to minimize potential bias from conflicts of interest. The McMaster University GRADE Centre supported the guideline development process, including updating or performing systematic evidence reviews. The panel prioritized clinical questions and outcomes according to their importance for clinicians and patients. The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach was used to assess evidence and make recommendations. RESULTS: The panel agreed on 31 recommendations related to the treatment of VTE and superficial vein thrombosis, diagnosis of VTE, and thrombosis prophylaxis. CONCLUSIONS: There was a strong recommendation for low-molecular-weight heparin (LWMH) over unfractionated heparin for acute VTE. Most recommendations were conditional, including those for either twice-per-day or once-per-day LMWH dosing for the treatment of acute VTE and initial outpatient therapy over hospital admission with low-risk acute VTE, as well as against routine anti-factor Xa (FXa) monitoring to guide dosing with LMWH for VTE treatment. There was a strong recommendation (low certainty in evidence) for antepartum anticoagulant prophylaxis with a history of unprovoked or hormonally associated VTE and a conditional recommendation against antepartum anticoagulant prophylaxis with prior VTE associated with a resolved nonhormonal provoking risk factor

Thromboembolic prevention and anticoagulant therapy during the COVID-19 pandemic: updated clinical guidance from the anticoagulation forum

Thromboembolism is a common and deadly consequence of COVID-19 infection for hospitalized patients. Based on clinical evidence pre-dating the COVID-19 pandemic and early observational reports, expert consensus and guidance documents have strongly encouraged the use of prophylactic anticoagulation for patients hospitalized for COVID-19 infection. More recently, multiple clinical trials and larger observational studies have provided evidence for tailoring the approach to thromboprophylaxis for patients with COVID-19. This document provides updated guidance for the use of anticoagulant therapies in patients with COVID-19 from the Anticoagulation Forum, the leading North American organization of anticoagulation providers. We discuss ambulatory, in-hospital, and post-hospital thromboprophylaxis strategies as well as provide guidance for patients with thrombotic conditions who are considering COVID-19 vaccination