Low Concentrations of Recombinant Factor VIIa May Improve the Impaired Thrombin Generation of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Patients

Sarina Levy-Mendelovich, Tamara Levy, Ivan Budnik, Assaf Arie Barg, Nurit Rosenberg, Uri Seligsohn, Gili Kenet, Tami Livnat*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

9 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction ?Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is a rare bleeding disorder. The disease is caused by the lack or dysfunction of platelet membrane glycoprotein IIb/IIIa (integrin αIIbβ3) which is essential for platelet aggregation. Bleeding episodes are usually managed by platelet transfusions. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is a common adjunct or alternative treatment option. Objective ?This article evaluates GT patients' response to increasing concentrations of rFVIIa using an ex vivo thrombin generation assay to elaborate the knowledge in which rFVIIa treats a platelet dysfunction for bleeding episodes and preoperative management. Materials and Methods ?Twenty-four GT patients in a non-bleeding state were enrolled into the study. Thrombin generation was measured in platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the presence of 0.7 to 7.0 μg/mL rFVIIa. Clinical data of rFVIIa used to treat GT patients' bleeding episodes was collected, and patients' follow-up course was documented. Results ?Thrombin generation was significantly decreased in GT patients compared with controls. An individual response to rFVIIa spiking was noted in GT patients' PRP. In the majority of patients, a significant improvement in thrombin generation was already demonstrated with low concentrations (0.7 μg/mL) of rFVIIa. Conclusion ?Thrombin generation is improved in the majority of GT patients following ex vivo spiking with rFVIIa. The magnitude of this improvement is individual and was noted at low concentrations of rFVIIa. There is a need for a prospective clinical trial to find the optimal doses or rFVIIa for treatment of GT patients.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)117-127
Number of pages11
JournalThrombosis and Haemostasis
Volume119
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2019

Keywords

  • Glanzmann thrombasthenia
  • rFVIIa
  • thrombin generation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Low Concentrations of Recombinant Factor VIIa May Improve the Impaired Thrombin Generation of Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Patients'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this