Abnormal hemostasis tests and bleeding in chronic liver disease: are they related? Yes

Greenlight laser (XPSTM) 180W prostatectomy for treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia in patients with uncorrectable bleeding tendency

Objectives

Safety of GreenLight™ laser prostatectomy (GL-LP) in patients with ongoing blood thinners has been proven. Yet, the possibility of drug manipulation makes it a less challenging situation compared to treating patients with uncorrectable bleeding tendency. Herein, we aim at evaluating the outcomes of XPS™-180 W GL-LP for treatment of BPH in patients who had uncorrectable bleeding tendency due to hepatic dysfunction.

Methods

A prospectively maintained database for all patients who underwent GL-LP for symptomatic BPH was reviewed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the degree of hepatic dysfunction using Fib-4 index: Group 1 (indexed patients; low-risk Fib-4) and Group 2 (non-indexed patients; intermediate-high-risk Fib-4) included those who had chronic liver disease associated with either thrombocytopenia and/or hypoprothrombinemia. Primary outcome was the difference in perioperative bleeding complications between the two groups. Other outcome measures included all perioperative findings and complications as well-functional outcome measures.

Results

The study included 140 patients (93 indexed patients and 47 non-indexed). There were no significant differences between both groups in operative time, laser time and energy, auxiliary procedures, catheter time, hospital stay, and hemoglobin deficit. The need for blood transfusion was significantly more in group 2 (two patients (4.3%) versus no patients in group 1, P = 0.045). Perioperative and late postoperative complications were comparable for both groups (P = 0.634 and 0.858, respectively). There were no significant differences in the postoperative uroflow, symptoms score, and PSA reduction between the two groups (P = 0.57, 0.87, and 0.05, respectively).

Conclusions

XPS™-180 W GL-LP is a safe and effective technique for treatment of BPH in patients with uncorrectable bleeding tendency due to hepatic dysfunction.

Risks and predicting factors of bleeding complications in hepatitis B virus-related acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND/AIMS

This study aimed to provide supporting evidence for prevention and prognostic evaluation of bleeding complications in the early stage by exploring the risk and predicting factors in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of 101 hospitalized patients with ACLF were retrospectively included from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2015. The patients were divided into bleeding (n=38) and nonbleeding groups (n=63). Demographic data and laboratory tests were recorded and compared between the two groups. The incidence, risk factors, and prognosis of bleeding complications among patients with ACLF were investigated.

RESULTS

A total of 38 cases (37.62%) had bleeding complications: 26 (25.74%) were spontaneous and 12 (11.88%) were postprocedural. Patients with bleeding complications had lower platelet (p=0.008), fibrinogen (p<0.001), factor V (p=0.001), and factor VII (p=0.026) levels; higher serum creatinine levels (p=0.004); and a higher proportion of cirrhosis (p=0.013). Logistic regression analysis showed that cirrhosis (odds ratio=3.251, p=0.046), fibrinogen level (odds ratio=0.352, p=0.007), and factor VII level (odds ratio=0.951, p=0.011) contributed to the development of bleeding complications. A subgroup analysis of invasive manipulation-induced bleeding complications showed lower levels of factors V (p=0.018) and VII (p=0.021) in the postprocedural bleeding group. Follow-up studies showed that the nonbleeding group had a higher survival rate than the bleeding group at day 90 (73.33% versus 51.85%, p=0.040).

CONCLUSION

Liver cirrhosis, lower levels of fibrinogen, and major coagulation factor activity in patients with ACLF were associated with an elevated risk of bleeding events during hospitalization, which further impaired the 90-day survival rate.

Association of coagulopathy with the risk of bleeding after invasive procedures in liver cirrhosis

BACKGROUND/AIM

Bleeding risk among patients with acute or chronic liver disease after invasive procedures is a common concern in clinical practice. This retrospective study aimed to explore whether the presence of coagulopathy increased the risk of major bleeding after invasive procedures in cirrhosis.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 874 cirrhotic patients underwent invasive procedures. Coagulopathy was defined as international normalized ratio (INR) ≥1.5 and/or platelets (PLTs) ≤50 × 10⁹/L. Severe thrombocytopenia was defined as PLTs ≤ 50 × 10⁹/L. Invasive procedures, major bleeding after invasive procedures, and in-hospital deaths were recorded.

RESULTS

In all, 296 patients (33.9%) had coagulopathy. Major bleeding after invasive procedures occurred in 21 patients (2.4%). Major bleeding after invasive procedures was more frequent in patients with coagulopathy than those without coagulopathy (4.1% vs 1.6%, P = 0.023). Major bleeding after invasive procedures was more frequent in patients with severe thrombocytopenia than those without severe thrombocytopenia (4.9% vs 1.6%, P = 0.008). Incidence of major bleeding after invasive procedures was not significantly different between patients with INR ≥ 1.5 and INR < 1.5 (4.5% vs 2.0%, P = 0.065). Patients with INR ≥1.5 had a significantly higher in-hospital mortality than those with INR < 1.5 (6.4% vs 1.3%, P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Severe thrombocytopenia significantly increased the risk of major bleeding after invasive procedures in cirrhosis. INR ≥ 1.5 significantly increased in-hospital mortality.

Hyperfibrinolysis and the risk of hemorrhage in stable cirrhotic patients

Background: Bleeding is an important complication of cirrhosis. Currently, there is no coagulation test that can reliably predict clinical hemorrhage. However, previous studies demonstrated significant correlations between hyperfibrinolysis and following bleeding in advanced cirrhotic patients. Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of hyperfibrinolysis in cirrhotic patients at stable conditions and to assess its role in predicting subsequent hemorrhage. Methods: The prospective cohort study included 58 consecutive cirrhotic patients at the Liver Clinic, Chulalongkorn Hospital. Assays for liver functions, PT, APTT, fibrinogen, fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and euglobulin lysis time (ELT) were performed at baseline. The subjects were followed-up for 10 months to observe clinical hemorrhage and survival. Results: The mean age was 56.4 years and 47% were male. The etiologies of liver diseases were virus (62.1%), alcohol (24.1%) or unknown (8.6%). Hyperfibrinolysis as reflected by ELT<120 minutes or FDPs>10 μg/mL was present in 32.8% and 74.1%, respectively. Fibrinolytic activity was significantly correlated with platelet counts and coagulation times, but not as much with liver function tests. By 10 months, 13 cases (22.4%) showed hemorrhagic episodes and 7 (12.1%) were expired, including 2 from bleeding. The significant predictors for death were Child class B or C, presence of ascites, hyperbilirubinemia, hypoalbuminemia, and prolonged APTT. However, none of the clinical, biochemical, or hemostatic factors was associated with clinical bleeding. Conclusion: Hyperfibrinolysis is common in cirrhotic outpatients. However, it cannot predict subsequent hemorrhage or survival. Novel hemostatic tests are required to assess the probability of bleeding in this disorder.

Portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis: incidence, management, and outcome

Background

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a serious complication in liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension. We examined the treatment, recurrence and prognosis of PVT in cirrhotic patients.

Methods

The study subjects were all 90 cirrhotic patients with PVT treated with danaparoid sodium (DS) at our department between July 2007 and September 2016. The mean age was 68 years and mean Child-Pugh score was 7. All patients received 2500 U/day of DS for 2 weeks, and repeated in those who developed PVT recurrence after the initial therapy.

Results

Complete response was noted in 49% (n = 44), partial response (shrinkage ≥70%) in 33% (n = 30), and no change (shrinkage <70%) in 18% (n = 16) of the patients after the initial course of treatment. DS treatment neither caused adverse events, particularly bleeding or thrombocytopenia, nor induced significant changes in serum albumin, total bilirubin, prothrombin time, and residual liver function. Re-treatment was required in 44 patients who showed PVT recurrence and 61% of these responded to the treatment. The cumulative recurrence rates at 1 and 2 posttreatment years were 26 and 30%, respectively. The recurrence rates were significantly lower in patients with acute type, compared to the chronic type (p = 0.0141). The cumulative survival rates at 1 and 3 years after treatment (including maintenance therapy with warfarin) were 83 and 60%, respectively, and were significantly higher in patients with acute type than chronic type (p = 0.0053).

Conclusion

We can expect prognostic improvement of liver cirrhosis by warfarin following two-week DS therapy for the treatment of PVT in patients with liver cirrhosis safety and effectiveness. An early diagnosis of PVT along with the evaluation of the volume of PVT on CT and an early intervention would contribute to the higher efficacy of the treatment.

Coagulopathy in liver disease: Lack of an assessment tool

There is a discrepancy between the information from clotting tests which have routinely been used in clinical practice and evidence regarding thrombotic and bleeding events in patients with liver disease. This discrepancy leads us to rely on other variables which have been shown to be involved in haemostasis in these patients and/or to extrapolate the behaviour of these patients to other settings in order to decide the best clinical approach. The aims of the present review are as follows: (1) to present the information provided by clotting tests in cirrhotic patients; (2) to present the factors that may influence clotting in these patients; (3) to review the clinical evidence; and (4) to put forward a clinical approach based on the first 3 points.

Anticoagulation for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis in liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

BACKGROUND & AIMS

Systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of anticoagulation for the treatment of portal vein thrombosis (PVT) in cirrhotic patients.

METHODS

The PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and ScienceDirect databases were searched. The rates of bleeding complications and portal vein recanalization in patients who received anticoagulant therapy were pooled. The odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated to express the difference in the rate of portal vein recanalization between anticoagulation and non-anticoagulation groups. All meta-analyses were conducted by using a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Sixteen of 960 initially identified papers were included. Two studies reported a low incidence of major anticoagulation-related complications (4% [2/55] and 3% [1/33]), but no lethal complications occurred. The rate of anticoagulation-related bleeding ranged from 0% to 18% with a pooled rate of 3.3% (95% CI=1.1%-6.7%). The heterogeneity was not significant in the meta-analysis. The total rate of portal vein recanalization ranged from 37% to 93% with a pooled rate of 66.6% (95% CI=54.7%-77.6%). The rate of complete portal vein recanalization ranged from 0% to 75% with a pooled rate of 41.5% (95% CI=29.2%-54.5%). However, the heterogeneity was significant in the 2 meta-analyses. The rate of complete portal vein recanalization was significantly higher in anticoagulation group than in non-anticoagulation group (OR=4.16, 95% CI=1.88-9.20, P=0.0004). The heterogeneity was not significant in the meta-analysis.

CONCLUSION

Anticoagulation could achieve a relatively high rate of portal vein recanalization in cirrhotic patients with PVT. Given that only a small number of non-randomized comparative studies are reported, randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm the risk-to-benefit of anticoagulation in such patients, especially anticoagulation-related bleeding.

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor and liver diseases

Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI) is a proteinase inhibitor that is synthesized by microvascular endothelial cells and can primarily exert anticoagulant and anti-inflammatory effects. In chronic liver disease and early liver cirrhosis, tissue factors are excessively expressed due to continuous stress, infections and inflammatory stimulation in liver microvascular endothelial cells, which may lead to the rise of TFPI concentration. In severe liver disease and liver cirrhosis complicated with portal vein thrombosis (PVT), the level of TFPI may decline for massive consumption. Recombinant TFPI (rTFPI) can effectively protect against PVT, reduce the mortality of disseminated or diffuse intravascular coagulation and improve inflammation. Understanding of the role of TFPI in liver diseases may provide potential strategy for the prevention and treatment of liver cirrhosis and its complications.

Management of special conditions in patients on vitamin K antagonists

Physicians are occasionally faced with difficult situations in the management of vitamin K antagonists (VKA) due to the lack of sound data available in controlled studies on certain conditions. In this review we would like to address some special but frequent conditions that can be encountered in daily clinical practice. These include the use of VKA in hemodialysis, thromboembolism in patients with liver cirrhosis and the thromboembolic risk in patients who bleed in the course of treatment with VKA. Moreover, two other conditions were examined: what the best way of expressing prothrombin time would be in patients with liver disease and how to behave when a patient treated with VKA shows a subtherapeutic INR. These topics were discussed by a panel of experts during a workshop recently held in Milan by the Italian Federation of Centres for the Diagnosis of Thrombosis and the Surveillance of Antithrombotic Therapies (FCSA). The main aim of the workshop was to provide helpful and practical advice to physicians in the daily management of VKA.

Coagulation in hepatobiliary disease

OBJECTIVE

To review the pathogenesis and clinical consequences of coagulation abnormalities accompanying hepatobiliary disorders and to highlight the need for further studies to characterize these derangements and their treatment options in small animal patients.

DATA SOURCES

Veterinary and human medical literature: original research articles, scientific reviews, consensus statements, and recent texts.

SUMMARY

The liver plays an important role in the production and clearance of many components of coagulation. A wide range of hemostatic derangements can occur in patients with hepatobiliary disease including alterations in platelet number and function, coagulation factor levels, anticoagulants, vascular endothelial function, and fibrinolysis. As these hemostatic alterations include both pro- and anticoagulation pathways, the net result is often a rebalanced hemostatic system that can be easily disrupted by concurrent conditions resulting in either clinical bleeding or thrombosis. Conventional coagulation tests are inadequate at identifying the spectrum of coagulation alterations occurring in patients with hepatobiliary disease, but their evaluation is necessary to assess bleeding risk and provide prognostic information. A paucity of information exists regarding the treatment of the coagulation derangements in small animals with hepatobiliary disease. Extrapolation from human studies provides some information about potential treatment options, but further studies are warranted in this area to elucidate the best management for coagulation abnormalities in dogs and cats with hepatobiliary disease.

CONCLUSION

Hepatobiliary disease can have profound effects on coagulation function leading to hypercoagulable or hypocoagulable states. Overall coagulation status with hepatobiliary disease depends on both the type and severity of disease and the presence of associated complications.

Efficacy and safety of regional citrate anticoagulation in liver transplant patients requiring post-operative renal replacement therapy

BACKGROUND

Liver transplant patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) requiring continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) early post-operatively are at high risk for bleeding. Using heparin for anticoagulation during CRRT may contribute to the increased bleeding risk. Regional anticoagulation with citrate may decrease the risk of bleeding. However, citrate anticoagulation may be associated with metabolic complications in patients with liver impairment. The aim of the study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of citrate anticoagulation in liver transplant patients.

METHODS

All liver transplant recipients transplanted between November 2004 and August 2007, requiring CRRT and using citrate as the anticoagulant were included in this retrospective study. Demographic data, CRRT specific and metabolic data were collected and analysed.

RESULTS

Sixty-eight patients (40 male/28 female) with a mean age of 47.1±11.8 years and a Model of End-stage Liver Disease score of 23±9 developed post-operative AKI requiring CRRT using citrate as the anticoagulant. The median duration on CRRT was 8 days (range 1-39 days) with a mean circuit life of 22.7±14.6 h. There was no relevant time trend of serum sodium, potassium, calcium, bicarbonate and pH values during CRRT. Bleeding occurred in 8 of 68 (11.7%) patients during CRRT.

CONCLUSION

Regional citrate anticoagulation for CRRT in the early post-operative period after liver transplantation is effective and safe. Therefore, the general exclusion of citrate anticoagulation during CRRT in patients after liver transplantation is not justified.

[Perioperative anesthesia management of extended partial liver resection. Pathophysiology of hepatic diseases and functional signs of hepatic failure]

The importance of partial liver resection as a therapeutic option to cure hepatic tumors has increased over the last decades. This has been influenced on the one hand by advances in surgical and anesthetic management resulting in a reduced mortality after surgery and on the other hand by an increased incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma. Nowadays, partial resection of the liver is performed safely and as a routine operation in specialized centers. This article describes the pathophysiological changes secondary to liver failure and assesses the perioperative management of patients undergoing partial or extended liver resection. It looks in detail at the preoperative assessment, the intraoperative anesthetic management including fluid management and techniques to reduce blood loss as well as postoperative analgesia and intensive care therapy.

Thromboelastography to monitor clotting/bleeding complications in patients treated with the molecular adsorbent recirculating system

Background. The Molecular Adsorbent Recirculating System (MARS) has been shown to clear albumin-bound toxins from patients with liver failure but might cause bleeding complications potentially obscuring survival benefits. We hypothesized that monitoring clotting parameters and bed-side thromboelastography allows to reduce bleeding complications. Methods. Retrospective analysis of 25 MARS sessions during which clotting parameters were monitored by a standardized protocol. Results. During MARS therapy median INR increased significantly from 1.7 to 1.9 platelet count and fibrinogen content decreased significantly from 57 fL(-1) to 42 fL(-1) and 2.1 g/L to 1.5 g/L. Nine relevant complications occurred: the MARS system clotted 6 times 3 times we observed hemorrhages. Absent thrombocytopenia and elevated plasma fibrinogen predicted clotting of the MARS system (ROC 0.94 and 0.82). Fibrinolysis, detected by thromboelastography, uniquely predicted bleeding events. Conclusion. Bed-side thromboelastography and close monitoring of coagulation parameters can predict and, therefore, help prevent bleeding complications during MARS therapy.

The coagulopathy of chronic liver disease: is there a causal relationship with bleeding? Yes

Variceal hemorrhage is a major cause of death in patients with cirrhosis. Much still could be performed in clinical practice to reduce the risk for bleeding in cirrhotic patients and accurate predictive rules should be provided for early recognition of high-risk patients. Liver cirrhosis patients present a complex hemostatic dysfunction with prolongation of bleeding time, chronic coagulation activation, and secondary hyperfibrinolysis. Therefore, liver failure determines an acquired coagulopathy that has been considered to be one potential underlying mechanism of bleeding. Endotoxemia may play a pivotal role in activating clotting system in portal and systemic circulation and it could represent a common mechanism accounting for portal vein thrombosis, systemic hyperfibrinolysis and eventually gastrointestinal bleeding. Nevertheless, clinical trials should also be planned to investigate the causal relationship between acquired coagulopathy and bleeding in patients with chronic liver disease.

Spectrum of anemia associated with chronic liver disease

Anemia of diverse etiology is a common complication of chronic liver diseases. The causes of anemia include acute or chronic gastrointestinal hemorrhage, and hypersplenism secondary to portal hypertension. Severe hepatocellular disease predisposes to hemorrhage because of impaired blood coagulation caused by deficiency of blood coagulation factors synthesized by hepatocytes, and/or thrombocytopenia. Aplastic anemia, which is characterized by pancytopenia and hypocellular bone marrow, may follow the development of hepatitis. Its presentation includes progressive anemia and hemorrhagic manifestations. Hematological complications of combination therapy for chronic viral hepatitis include clinically significant anemia, secondary to treatment with ribavirin and/or interferon. Ribavirin-induced hemolysis can be reversed by reducing the dose of the drug or discontinuing it altogether. Interferons may contribute to anemia by inducing bone marrow suppression. Alcohol ingestion is implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease and may contribute to associated anemia. In patients with chronic liver disease, anemia may be exacerbated by deficiency of folic acid and/or vitamin B12 that can occur secondary to inadequate dietary intake or malabsorption.

Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) in patients with liver disease: is circuit life different?

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Clotting of haemofiltration circuits is a major complication of continuous renal replacement therapies (CRRT), yet systemic anticoagulation risks haemorrhage. Traditionally, patients with liver failure are managed with no or minimal anticoagulation, because of abnormal clotting tests and the perceived, increased bleeding risk.

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed CRRT circuit life in 50 patients; 3 groups of liver failure patients treated with CRRT (acute liver failure (ALF), acute on chronic liver disease (ACLD) and post-elective liver transplantation (LTx)), with two control groups; systemic sepsis (SS) and haematological malignancy (Haem).

RESULTS

CCRT circuit life was significantly greater in the Haem group, compared to the others; 24.3+/-23.9h, vs. 11+/-10.5 ALF, 11.6+/-6.6 ACLF, 7.4+/-5.1 LTx and 9.2+/-6.5 SS, p<0.05, with Haem group requiring fewest new CCRT circuits within 48h; 2.4+/-1.0 vs. 4.3+/-1.3 ALF, 4.2+/-2.1 ACLF, 5.3+/-1.5 LTx and 4.6+/-1.5 SS, p<0.05 and least blood transfusions; 1.2+/-1.3 vs. 4.8+/-4.2 ALF, 4.2+/-4.1 ACLF, 2.2+/-2.1 LTx and 3.0+/-1.5 SS. Transmembrane pressures were higher in those CCRT circuits with haemofilter/dialyzer clotting, compared to other causes, such as access dysfunction (123+/-74 vs. 71.8+/-29.3 mm Hg, p=0.009). In those patients in whom anticoagulation was started due to repeated filter clotting, circuit life improved from 5.6+/-3.4 to 19+/-12.7h, p<0.01.

CONCLUSION

Despite abnormal laboratory coagulation tests and thrombocytopenia, CCRT circuits clot frequently in liver failure patients. Anticoagulation did improve CRRT circuit survival without an obvious increase in bleeding or blood transfusion requirement. Thus anticoagulation should be considered in these patients with repeated circuit clotting.

Coagulopathy of acute liver failure

Coagulopathy is an essential component of the acute liver failure (ALF) syndrome and reflects the central role of liver function in hemostasis. ALF is a syndrome characterized by the development of hepatic encephalopathy and coagulopathy within 24 weeks of the onset of acute liver disease. Coagulopathy in this setting is a useful prognostic tool in ALF and a dynamic indicator of the hepatic function. If severe, it can be associated with bleeding and is commonly a major obstacle to the performance of invasive procedures in patients with ALF. This review focuses on the epidemiology, pathophysiology, presentation, evaluation, and management of coagulopathy in ALF.

Hyperfibrinolysis in liver disease

The incidence of hyperfibrinolysis in patients with cirrhosis is still debated. The reasons for this uncertainty probably lie in the lack of appropriate laboratory tests for its evaluation. There is a relative consensus, however, that hyperfibrinolysis can complicate the clinical course of liver cirrhosis, especially in cases of moderate to severe liver failure. Hyperfibrinolysis correlates positively with the severity of underlying liver disease, and low-grade systemic fibrinolysis is found in 30% to 46% of patients who have end-stage liver disease. Accelerated intravascular coagulation with secondary hyperfibrinolysis has been reported in patients who have liver failure. Hyperfibrinolysis may delay primary hemostasis, thereby aggravating variceal bleeding and facilitating recurrence.

The coagulopathy of acute liver failure and implications for intracranial pressure monitoring

INTRODUCTION

The development of coagulopathy in acute liver failure (ALF) is universal. The severity of the coagulopathy is often assessed by determination of the prothrombin time and International Normalized Ratio (INR).

DISCUSSION

In more than 1,000 ALF cases, the severity of the coagulopathy was moderate in 81% (INR 1.5-5.0), severe in 14% (INR 5.0-10.0), and very severe in 5% (INR > 10.0). Certain etiologies were associated with more severe coagulopathy, whereas ALF caused by fatty liver of pregnancy had the least severe coagulopathy.

METHODS

Management consisted of transfusions of FFP in 92%. Overall, FFP administered during the first week of admission amounted to 13.7 +/- 15 units.

RESULTS

Patients who received an ICP monitor had significantly more FFP transfused than those managed without ICP monitor (22.7 +/- 2.4 vs. 12.3 +/- 0.8 units FFP; P < 0.001). Only a minority of patients developed gastrointestinal bleeding or had an intracranial pressure monitor installed.

CONCLUSION

Further research is necessary to explore the reasons clinicians transfuse ALF patients with large amounts of FFP in the absence of active bleeding or invasive procedures.

Recombinant factor VIIa for variceal bleeding in patients with advanced cirrhosis: A randomized, controlled trial

A beneficial effect of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in Child-Pugh class B and C patients with cirrhosis who have variceal bleeding has been suggested. This randomized controlled trial assessed the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa in patients with advanced cirrhosis and active variceal bleeding. At 31 hospitals in an emergency setting, 256 patients (Child-Pugh > 8; Child-Pugh B = 26%, C = 74%) were randomized equally to: placebo; 600 microg/kg rFVIIa (200 + 4x 100 microg/kg); or 300 microg/kg rFVIIa (200 + 100 microg/kg). Dosing was intravenous at 0, 2, 8, 14, and 20 hours after endoscopy, in addition to standard vasoactive, prophylactic antibiotic, and endoscopic treatment. The primary composite endpoint consisted of failure to control 24-hour bleeding, or failure to prevent rebleeding or death at day 5. Secondary endpoints included adverse events and 42-day mortality. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups. Administration of rFVIIa had no significant effect on the composite endpoint compared with placebo (P = 0.37). There was no significant difference in 5-day mortality between groups; however, 42-day mortality was significantly lower with 600 microg/kg rFVIIa compared with placebo (odds ratio 0.31, 95% confidence interval = 0.13-0.74), and bleeding-related deaths were reduced from 12% (placebo) to 2% (600 microg/kg). A marked heterogeneity in the failure rate in all treatment groups was observed across participating centers. Adverse events, including overall thromboembolic events, were comparable between groups.

CONCLUSION

Treatment with rFVIIa had no significant effect on the primary composite endpoint compared with placebo. Therefore, decision on the use of this hemostatic agent in acute variceal bleeding should be carefully considered, because results of this study do not support the routine use of rFVIIa in this setting. Adverse events were comparable across groups.

Global tests of haemostasis in critically ill patients with severe sepsis syndrome compared to controls

Haemostatic changes in septic patients are complex, with both procoagulant and anticoagulant changes. Thirty-eight patients with severe sepsis and 32 controls were investigated by coagulation screens, individual factor assays, calibrated automated thrombography (CAT), whole blood low-dose-tissue factor activated (LD-TFA) Rotem and LD-TFA waveform analysis. Thirty-six of 38 patients had an abnormal coagulation screen. The mean levels of factors II, V (P < 0.05), VII, X, XI and XII, antithrombin and protein C (P < 0.01) was decreased in sepsis compared with controls. The mean factor VIII and fibrinogen level (P < 0.001) was increased. CAT in platelet rich and poor plasma showed a prolonged lag time (P < 0.02), decreased peak thrombin (P < 0.02) and delayed time to peak thrombin (P < 0.001) in sepsis patients, however, the endogenous thrombin potential was equivalent in sepsis and controls. In LD-TFA Rotem, septic patients had delayed clot times (P = 0.04) but an increased maximum velocity of clot formation (P < 0.01) and area under the clot elasticity curve (P < 0.01). LD-TFA waveform analysis showed a delayed onset time but an increased rate of clot formation (P < 0.005). In conclusion, global tests of haemostasis suggest that in this patient group, activation of haemostasis is delayed but once initiated thrombin generation and clot formation are normal or enhanced.