Acquired Factor VIII Deficiency in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia: A Case Report

Factor VIII deficiency is mostly seen in hemophilia A, an X-linked recessive disorder. Patients would have a past medical history of bleeding diathesis or a family history of bleeding disorder. Acquired deficiencies of factor VIII are rare; some cases have been reported in solid malignancies. We present this case of acquired factor VIII deficiency in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). A 72-year-old man was incidentally found to have leukocytosis at 31,000 and a platelet count of 3.2 million on a routine complete blood count (CBC). Prothrombin time (PT), international normalized ratio (INR), and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) showed an isolated elevation of PTT at 38.1 and a low factor VIII activity level at 39. The patient did not have any history or physical examination suggestive of bleeding diathesis. A bone marrow biopsy confirmed the BCR/ABL mutation, a diagnosis of CML was made, and the patient was started on dasatinib for one month. His PTT normalized after treatment for CML, suggesting a deficiency of factor VIII likely related to CML. The aim of this study is to highlight a case with acquired factor VIII deficiency due to CML and to emphasize the importance of coagulation workup in all newly diagnosed CML patients.

"Familial Multiple Coagulation Factor Deficiencies of FXI and FXII in an Asymptomatic Saudi Woman"

Factor XI deficiency (FXI) is the third most common coagulation factor deficiency after hemophilia A and B, ie, in the hierarchy after factors VIII and IX, taking into account von Willebrand's factor deficiency, as bleeding disorders are higher than in hemophilia C. Factor XII deficiency (FXII) is a congenital condition, inherited in the vast majority of cases in an autosomal recessive manner, more often associated with thromboembolic complications. A combination of both factor deficiencies has been found very rarely, and it can be familial multiple coagulation factor deficiency (FMCFD). This study reports the case of a 39-year-old woman from Saudi Arabia who had the combination of FXI and FXII deficiencies, known to be on treatment for hypothyroidism and was referred to a hematology clinic with an incidental finding of prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). Although there was no history of bleeding tendency, her siblings had a family history of an unknown type of bleeding disorder. On physical examination, the patient did not show any bruising, petechiae, or ecchymosis. The aPTT was 69 seconds (27-38) with normal use of other hemostatic agents and was corrected after a 50:50 mixing study. Intrinsic coagulation factors were evaluated, and they revealed severe FXI and moderate FXII deficiencies. Due to a strong family history, the patient was diagnosed with FMCFD. In conclusion, familial combined multiple clotting factor deficiency (FCMFD) is a rare condition that requires attention and reporting. The management strategy in such cases has not been well studied, especially in the long-term symptomatic patient with severe but asymptomatic combined FXI and FXII deficiencies, which is an area for review and further study.

In vitro diagnostics for the medical dermatologist. Part II: Hypercoagulability tests

The skin often provides initial clues of hypercoagulability with features such as livedo reticularis, livedo racemosa, retiform purpura, necrosis, and ulcerations. Because these cutaneous manifestations are nonspecific, laboratory testing is often needed to evaluate for underlying causes of hypercoagulability. Importantly, these disorders are reported to be the most common mimicker, resulting in an erroneous diagnosis of pyoderma gangrenosum. Understanding inherent properties of, and indications for, available tests is necessary for appropriate ordering and interpretation of results. Additionally, ordering of these tests in an indiscriminate manner may lead to inaccurate results, complicating the interpretation and approach to management. This second article in this continuing medical education series summarizes information on methodology, test characteristics, and limitations of several in vitro laboratory tests used for the work up of hypercoagulability and vasculopathic disease as it pertains to dermatologic disease.