Abstract: Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by neutralizing autoantibodies against coagulation factor VIII (FVIII:C). Immunosuppressive treatment may result in remission of disease over a period of days to months. Until remission, patients are at high risk of bleeding and complications from immunosuppression. Prognostic parameters to predict remission and the time needed to achieve remission could be helpful to guide treatment intensity, but have not been established so far. GTH-AH01/2010 was a prospective multicenter cohort study using a standardized immunosuppressive treatment protocol. The primary study endpoint was time to achieve partial remission (PR, defined as FVIII:C activity 〉 50 IU/dl after cessation of any hemotherapy for 〉 24h, and no active bleeding). Secondary endpoints were time to achieve complete remission (CR, defined as PR plus negative FVIII:C inhibitor, steroid tapered to 〈 15 mg/d prednisolone, and cessation of any other immunosuppressive treatment), and overall survival (OS). Enrolment was strictly prospective and only allowed within 7 days of starting immunosuppression. Outcome data were recorded in all patients enrolled. The treatment protocol consisted of prednisolone (100 mg/d from day 1 to the day of PR, then tapered down to 〈 15 mg/d over 5 weeks), oral cyclophosphamide (150 mg/d, from day 21-42, unless PR was achieved), and rituximab (375 mg/m2 weekly for 4 weeks starting on day 43, unless PR was achieved). If AHA was first diagnosed in patients previously on prednisolone 〉 15 mg/d, or equivalent, they received prednisolone (100 mg/d) and rituximab from day 1. If cyclophosphamide was contraindicated, patients received prednisolone (100 mg/d) and rituximab from day 21. One hundred twenty-four patients from 21 treatment centers in Germany and Austria were enrolled between April 2010 and April 2013 (36 months). The patients from two centers not compliant with the treatment protocol were excluded (N=18), as were patients in whom AHA was not confirmed (N=2) or follow-up was too short at the time of this analysis (N=7). The remaining 97 patients from 17 centers were followed for a median of 256 days (interquartile range [IQR] 84-561). Median age was 74 years (IQR 64-82). AHA was associated with other autoimmune disorders (19%), malignancy (12%), pregnancy or puerperium (5%), but was most often idiopathic (66%). The median FVIII:C activity at baseline was 1 IU/dl (IQR 〈 1-3), and the median inhibitor titer was 20 BU/ml (IQR 7.7-78). PR and CR were achieved after a median time of 35 and 102 days, respectively. Patients achieving PR prior to day 21 (N=22) compared with patients not achieving PR within 21 days (N=75) had a higher baseline FVIII:C activity (median 3 vs. 〈 1 IU/dl, p 〈 0.01) and a lower FVIII:C inhibitor (median 12 vs. 29 BU/ml, p 〈 0.05). Multivariate analysis with adjustment for age, sex, underlying disorder, and WHO performance status on admission demonstrated that baseline FVIII:C activity ( 〈 1 IU/dl vs. 〉 =1 IU/dl) had a strong impact on the time to achieve PR (HR 2.76 [95% confidence interval 1.73-4.42] , p 〈 0.001) and CR (HR 2.36 [1.34-4.14], p 〈 0.01). Baseline FVIII:C activity was also a predictor of PR and CR when other cutoffs were used (2 or 3 IU/dl instead of 1 IU/dl), or when it was analyzed as a continuous variable in Cox regression analysis. In contrast, FVIII:C inhibitor titer assessed by the local laboratory did not affect time to PR or CR significantly. OS after 300 days, estimated by the Kaplan Meier method, was 69%. Age, WHO performance status, and FVIII:C activity at baseline were independent predictors of OS. In summary, GTH-AH 01/2010 is the largest prospective study of patients with AHA treated according to a standardized protocol. The study demonstrated a robust effect of baseline FVIII:C activity on the time needed to achieve PR and CR. Baseline FVIII:C activity, together with age and performance status, also affected OS. Therefore, baseline FVIII:C activity may be considered to guide individually tailored immunosuppression in future studies. Disclosures: Tiede: Baxter: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biotest: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Biogen Idec: Consultancy; CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Off Label Use: Prednisolone, cyclophosphamid, and rituximab for immunosuppression in acquired hemophilia. Klamroth:Bayer: Honoraria, Research Funding; Baxter: Honoraria, Research Funding; CSL Behring: Honoraria, Research Funding; Novo Nordisk: Honoraria, Research Funding. Gottstein:Novo Nordisk: Honoraria; Baxter: Honoraria. Holstein:Baxter: Honoraria, Speakers Bureau. Scharf:CSL Behring: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Biotest: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Bayer: Consultancy, Honoraria; Baxter: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Huth-Kühne:SRH Kurpfalz Hospital and Hemophilia Center: Consultancy, Employment, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees. Greil:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Miesbach:Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding; Baxter: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding. Trappe:Roche: Consultancy, Honoraria, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau, Travel Other; AMGEN: Research Funding, Travel, Travel Other; CSL Behring: Honoraria, Research Funding, Speakers Bureau, Travel, Travel Other; Mundipharma: Research Funding, Travel, Travel Other; Takeda: Consultancy, Research Funding, Travel Other; Novartis: Consultancy, Research Funding, Travel, Travel Other; Novartis: Research Funding, Travel Other; Cellgen: Travel, Travel Other. Knoebl:Novo Nordisk: Consultancy, Honoraria; Baxter: Consultancy, Honoraria.

Abstract: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but dangerous complication of heparin prophylaxis or treatment. The present laboratory tests to measure heparin-associated antibodies are not specific. The diagnosis of HIT mainly depends on the decrease in platelet count and on clinical symptoms. To evaluate clinical outcome, bleeding complications and platelet counts were evaluated in 45 patients with HIT type II (HIT II) treated prophylactically (subcutaneous injections) or therapeutically (intravenous infusion) with danaparoid. Group I included 24 patients with HIT II without thromboembolic complications who received danaparoid twice daily subcutaneously (10 IU/kg) for a mean of 16 days. Group II included 21 patients with thromboembolic complications. They were treated with intravenous danaparoid (2.6 IU/kg/h ± 1.1) for a mean of 17 days. During subcutaneous prophylaxis, mean anti-Xa levels of 0.2 U/mL and during intravenous treatment, mean anti-Xa levels of 0.4 U/mL were reached. No deaths, amputations, or serious bleeding complications occurred, and no new thromboses were observed in both patient groups.Treatment with danaparoid led to a fast normalization of the platelet counts. This normalization occurred earlier and the concentration of platelets was higher in patients treated with intravenous doses. Danaparoid with subsequent vitamin K-antagonist treatment effectively prevents thromboembolic complications in patients with HIT.

Abstract: In a phase I clinical trial the effect of the highly sulfated polyanion "Aprosulate" was studied in healthy volun teers using different coagulation and platelet function param eters. Eighteen healthy volunteers aged 21 to 30 years received two single subcutaneous doses of aprosulate (0.5 mg/kg body weight; 1.0 mg/kg body weight), or unfractionated heparin (Calciparin® 7,500 IU). The washout period between the dif ferent drugs/doses was at least 7 days. Coagulation and platelet function parameters (activated partial thromboplastin time, Heptest, fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, ristocetin cofactor, platelet adhesion to siliconized glass, and platelet-induced thrombin generation time [a new method for measuring throm bin generation in platelet-rich plasma in the presence of plate lets]) were assessed during 24 hours after each injection. Aprosulate led to a significant and dose-dependent prolonga tion of activated partial thromboplastin time and Heptest. This effect lasted for 4 hours (activated partial thromboplastin time) to 8 hours (Heptest). Activated partial thromboplastin time was not prolonged after the injection of unfractionated heparin (7,500 IU). Fibrinogen, von Willebrand factor, and ristocetin cofactor remained unchanged with both drugs. Platelet induced thrombin generation time was slightly prolonged and platelet adhesion was slightly diminished up to 2 hours using 0.5 mg/kg aprosulate, and up to 4 hours using 1.0 mg/kg aprosulate while the platelet induced thrombin generation time system was not influenced by the subcutaneous injection (7,500 IU) of unfrac tionated heparin. Both drugs and doses were well tolerated. Plasma transaminase concentrations alanin aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase serum values were slightly in creased in some volunteers but returned to normal during or after the study ( 〈 4 weeks). Further clinical trials will have to establish whether aprosulate is an effective drug for the pro phylaxis of deep venous thrombosis.

Abstract: Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is often used for volume therapy. Since bleeding complications have been reported repeatedly, a strict dose limitation of a maximum of 1,500 ml 6% solution per day is recommended. However, many indications require higher dosages. Bleeding complications are known to be caused by an acquired von Willebrand syndrome. It has been shown that the accumulation of large molecules and their impairment in the coagulation system can be avoided by using HES preparations with a low in vivo molecular weight. However, the effects of a high-dose therapy have not been studied yet. We have investigated, how a 4-day high-dose therapy, using 3,000 ml 6% HES 70/0.5 on the 1st day and 1,500 ml on days 2-4, affects the coagulation system and hemorheological parameters of acute stroke patients. Thromboplastin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time showed no significant changes, except for a slight, clinically irrelevant change due to dilution. The subunits of von Willebrand factor VIII showed no significant change. Hematocrit decreased from 42.3 ± 4.6 to 37.4 ± 3.9% (p 〈 0.05) after day 1, reaching 35.3 ± 4.2% (p 〈 0.01) at the end of the therapy, demonstrating a substantial volume effect. Plasmaviscosity and erythrocyte aggregation decreased slightly, however not significantly. Our study shows that even a high-dose therapy with 6% HES 70/0.5 has no influence on the coagulation system.

Abstract: Patients in intensive care may be at high risk of in vivo platelet activation because comorbid conditions, such as infections, septicemia, shock, disseminated intravascular co agulation, and cancer represent procoagulant states. Hyperre activity of platelets with or without a decline of cell count may result in thromboembolic complications potentially associated with the phenomenon of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. We analyzed the data of 10 patients highly suspected of having heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during their intensive care treatment of 29 plus or minus 22 days. In seven patients, throm bocytopenia coincided with thromboembolic complications. Six patients had additionally undergone fibrinolytic therapy before starting activated partial thromboplastin time-adapted alternative anticoagulation with r-hirudin. In three patients, the platelet count decreased without a clinical manifestation. of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. R-Hirudin treatment moni tored by activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time (PT) was effective and safe. The target value for activated partial thromboplastin time was a twofold prolongation. In four of five patients with deep venous thrombosis, a partial recana lization of the lower extremity could be achieved. Three pa tients with pulmonary embolism associated with deep venous thrombosis in two cases and in one additional case with an acute myocardial infarction did clinically profit from fibrino lysis with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rtPA) and r-hirudin treatment. Two lethal events probably caused by the underlying multimorbidity could not be prevented. No recur rence of thrombosis occurred, and there were no severe bleed ing complications attributed to r-hirudin treatment. Platelet counts were significantly reduced on day 9.4 plus or minus 6.4 of heparin administration in all cases ( 〉 50% decrease related to the initial values) from 224,000 plus or minus 126,000/μL to 96,000 plus or minus 61,000/μL, and increased during r- hirudin treatment to mean values of 224,000 plus or minus 126,000/μL. The heparin-induced platelet activation assay (HIPAA) assay was positive in 8/10 cases, whereas the PF4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed a positive result in four of eight analyzed cases. In four cases, the assays were concordantly positive. The PF4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was not performed in two cases.