Hemorrhagic pericardial effusion as the debut of acquired hemophilia in a chronic lymphocytic leukemia patient: A case report, and a review of acquired hemophilia A-related hematological malignancies

Management of acquired hemophilia A: results from the Spanish registry

The Spanish Acquired Hemophilia A (AHA) Registry is intended to update the status of AHA in Spain. One hundred and fifty-four patients were included and retrospectively followed for a median of 12 months. Patients were predominantly male (56.3%), with median age at diagnosis of 74 years. AHA was more frequently idiopathic (44.1%) and autoimmune disorder-associated (31.7%). Thirty-four percent of patients were on antithrombotic therapy at diagnosis. Hemostatic treatment was used in 70% of patients. Recombinant activated factor VII was more frequently infused (60.3% vs 20.6% activated prothrombin complex concentrate). Only 1 patient did not achieve control of hemorrhage. Complete remission (CR) was achieved by 84.2% of cases after immunosuppressive therapy. Steroids alone were less efficient than the other strategies (68.2% vs 87.2%, P = .049), whereas no differences existed among these (steroids/cyclophosphamide, 88.5%, vs steroids/calcineurin inhibitors, 81.2%, vs rituximab-based regimens, 87.5%). Female sex and high inhibitor levels influenced CR negatively. Thirty-six deaths (23.8%) were reported. Main causes of death were infection (15 patients, 9.9%) and hemorrhage (5 patients, 3.3%). All hemorrhage-related and half the infection-related deaths occurred within 2 months of diagnosis. Prior antithrombotic therapy was inversely associated with survival, irrespective of age. Median age of nonsurvivors was significantly higher (79 vs 73 years in survivors). Patients dying of infection were older than the other nonsurvivors (85 vs 78 years). In summary, fatal infection in the first months is common in our series. Antithrombotic therapy is associated with mortality. Particular care should be taken to avoid misdiagnosis.

Coexistence of Acquired Hemophilia and Antiphospholipid Serology in Monoclonal Gammopathy Patient

Acquired hemophilia is a rare coagulopathy with hemorrhage into the skin, muscle, or soft tissues and mucous membranes and caused by inhibitor antibodies, mainly against FVIII. We report a case of acquired hemophilia presenting with diffuse cutaneous hemorrhage and hemothorax. The patient was found to have acquired an FVIII inhibitor and a high titer of anti β2 glycoprotein 1 IgG and IgM, and anticardiolipin IgM in the context of IgA kappa-type monoclonal gammopathy. He received 3 injections of recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) and blood transfusion. He was started on steroids and oral cyclophosphamide for 6 weeks. Thromboprophylaxis with aspirin at 100 mg/day was started 3 months after discharge. Antiphospholipid antibodies remained positive after 3 months as well as prolonged aPTT, factor VIII raised at 100%, and the inhibitor was not detected. The association between acquired hemophilia and antiphospholipid antibodies is rare and its distinction is mandatory because clinical presentation ranges from massive hemorrhage to thrombosis.

Acquired Haemophilia A in Association with Influenza A and Urinary Tract Infection

Acquired haemophilia A (AHA) is a rare autoimmune disorder caused by an autoantibody against any circulating coagulation factor, especially factor VIII (FVIII). The lack of awareness of this condition suggests that diagnosis is a challenge and usually delayed, which leads to suboptimal treatment. Consequently, early diagnosis is mandatory to prevent potentially life-threatening bleeding complications. We present the case of an 85-year-old woman admitted to hospital with symptoms of respiratory infection who 12 hours later developed haematuria which required transfusion. Laboratory assays showed an isolated prolonged aPTT, a moderately reduced FVIII and a high inhibitor titre. Influenza A and Escherichia coli were also identified. Antivirals, antibiotics, immunosuppressive drugs and haemostatic agents were started. Two weeks later, the inhibitor was not detected, and bleeding and symptoms of infection had resolved. Immunosuppressive drugs were stopped on day 45 and there has been no recurrence since then. To date, no FVIII inhibitors have been reported in concomitant infection with influenza A and urinary E. coli. The identification of conditions potentially associated with AHA is essential to achieve complete remission.

LEARNING POINTS

The lack of awareness of and experience with acquired haemophilia (AHA) suggests that diagnosis is frequently delayed, resulting in suboptimal treatment.AHA should be suspected in recent-onset abnormal bleeding in patients not receiving anticoagulant treatment, and in the presence of isolated prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT).Treatment is based on eradication of the inhibitor, control of the bleeding and identification of underlying conditions.

Acquired hemophilia A in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A case report

Acquired hemophilia A, due to spontaneous autoantibody against FVIII, is a rare hemorrhagic disorder with an incidence of about 1 per million population per year. If unrecognized and untreated, it is associated with a high morbidly and mortality rate of 8-12%. Autoantibody against coagulation factor VIII neutralizes procoagulant activity. We report herein is such a rare case of acquired hemophilia in a patient with CLL.