Hematology and Oncology Disorders Flashcards
recent RCTs comparing the use of fresh or “young” RBC transfusion w/ “older” units w/ longer storage time in critically ill adults have shown what?
more febrile, nonhemolytic transfusion reactions in patients receiving younger units
systemic autoimmune d/o characterized by the presence of antiphospholipid Abs
APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
one of the most commonly acquired thrombophilias and is unique from most genetic thrombophilias because of it a/w BOTH arterial AND venous thromboses
APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
what are the most common venous and arterial sites of involvement of thrombosis in APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)?
- DVT of the lower extremities
- cerebral arterial circulation
thrombosis in unusual sites such as, hepatic veins, visceral veins, cerebral venous circulation, should prompt consideration for
APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
is a/w significant obstetric morbidity
- should be considered in the setting of an unexplained death of ≥ 1 morphologically normal fetuses ≥ 10 weeks of gestation
- premature birth of ≥ 1 neonates before 34 weeks of gestation because of eclampsia or severe preeclampsia
- or ≥ 3 unexplained, consecutive spontaneous abortions before the tenth week of gestation
APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
other manifestations of APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
- thrombocytopenia
- autoimmune hemolytic anemia
- nonbacterial cardiac valve thickening or vegetations
- livedo reticularis
- skin ulcers
- TIAs
aPTT and mixing study in APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
- often prolonged
- does NOT correct w/ mixing study
clinical criteria for diagnosis of APS (antiphospholipid syndrome)
- confirmed thrombotic event, or
- confirmed obstetric morbidity
- combined w/ presence of a lupus anticoagulant (IgM or IgG isotype anticardiolipin Abs (medium-high titer), or IgM or IgG subtype anti-β2-glycoprotein I antibodies (titer >99th percentile))
- confirmed on ≥ 2 occasions at least 12 weeks apart
rare complication of APS defined as small vessel thrombosis in ≥ 3 organs in < 1 week
catastrophic APS (CAPS)
catastrophic APS (CAPS) is often triggered by
- infection
- malignancy
- another acute precipitating event
- most commonly affects women in their 30s
- a/w mortality rates of 40-50% d/t cerebral and cardiac thrombosis, infection a/w treatment, and multiorgan failure
catastrophic APS (CAPS)
diagnosis of catastrophic APS (CAPS)
requires objective demonstration of microvascular thrombosis w/o vessel inflammation to suggest an underlying vasculitis
PBS of catastrophic APS (CAPS) often demonstrates
- microangiopathic hemolytic anemia (MAHA)
- schistocytes
current guidelines for management of catastrophic APS (CAPS)
- heparin gtt
- corticosteroids to reduce proinflammatory cytokine production
- IVIG or plasma exchange in severe cases
treatment of catastrophic APS (CAPS) a/w SLE
- cyclophosphamide
- rituximab or eculizumab in refractory cases
long-term AC for catastrophic APS (CAPS) in patients who respond to initial treatment
warfarin
what conditions are a/w higher mortality in catastrophic APS (CAPS)?
- older patients
- underlying SLE
- higher Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)
- higher day 0 Simplified Acute Physiology Score II (SAPS)
- higher SOFA score
- renal and neurological involvement
- hemorrhagic events
- macrovascular arterial thrombosis
- low hb
- persistently low thrombocytopenia (likely indicating diffuse, ongoing microangiopathy)
what is the Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI)?
predicts 10-year survival in patients w/ multiple comorbidities
what is the Simplified Acute Physiology Score (SAPS)?
estimates mortality in ICU patients; comparable to APACHE II
what is the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score?
predicts ICU mortality based on lab results and clinical data
- mild, transient drop in platelet count
- typically occurs w/i the first 2 days of heparin exposure
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type 1 (HIT 1)
mechanism of HIT 1
direct effect of heparin on platelets, causing non-immune platelet aggregation
clinically significant syndrome d/t Abs to platelet factor 4 (PF4) complexed to heparin, referred to as “HIT Abs” or “PF4/heparin Abs”
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type 2 (HIT 2)
HIT 2 is aka
heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT)
the risk of thrombosis, including life-threatening limb gangrene, from HIT 2 persists until what measures are taken?
- heparin is eliminated, AND
- non-heparin anticoagulant is initiated
what are HIT variants?
clinical HIT d/t HIT Abs that activate platelets in the ABSENCE of heparin
- delayed-onset HIT
- refractory (persistent) HIT
- spontaneous HIT
- VITT (vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia)
delayed-onset HIT is defined by
thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis occurring ≥ 5 days after heparin has been withdrawn
why might delayed-onset HIT occur?
high-titer Abs to PF4/heparin
refractory (persistent) HIT is defined as
- persistent thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis that last for weeks AFTER stopping heparin
- the presence of HIT Abs alone does NOT define this condition
spontaneous HIT is described as
- RARELY, HIT has been described in the absence of recent heparin exposure
- most affected patients have a preceding infection or have undergone a major surgical procedure
what diagnostic criteria have been proposed for spontaneous HIT?
- otherwise UNEXPLAINED thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis w/o recent heparin exposure
- demonstration of anti-PF4 Abs of IgG subclass that cause strong in vitro platelet activation in the absence of heparin
- occurring in the setting of exposure to minimal amount of heparin
VITT (vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia) is described as
a condition that may occur in individuals vaccinated w/ certain covid-19 vaccines (AstraZeneca, University of Oxford, and Serum Institute of India, and Janssen; Johnson & Johnson)
some patients produce Abs that react in laboratory assays for HIT but do NOT cause thrombocytopenia or thrombosis
heparin-induced Abs (HIA)
although there are similarities in clinical presentation between TMA (thrombotic microangiopathies) and CAPS, what are some key differences that may help differentiate them?
- no schistocytes seen on PBS w/ TMA
- likely underlying diagnosis of APS makes CAPS much more likely
- aka typhlitis
- necrotizing enterocolitis
- typically develops in neutropenic patients, < 500 cells/µL
- most commonly occurs following chemotherapy for acute hematologic malignancies (leukemia, lymphoma, MM), or immunosuppressive therapy for solid tumor malignancies and transplants
neutropenic enterocolitis
initial management of neutropenic enterocolitis
- abx
- supportive care
neutropenic enterocolitis has been reported in what infection?
HIV
pathophysiology of neutropenic enterocolitis
damage of gut mucosal barrier, necrosis, and hemorrhagic transmural inflammation of multiple layers of the bowel wall, resulting in impaired host defenses, and bacterial translocation
sepsis, bacteremia, and fungemia often develop in neutropenic enterocolitis; what are the organisms typically isolated?
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- Escherichia coli
- Klebsiella spp
- Bacteroides spp
- Clostridium spp
- Candida
clinical diagnosis of neutropenic enterocolitis
- neutropenic host
- fever (93%)
- abdominal pain
- characteristic abdominal CT findings
what are the characteristic CT abdominal findings in neutropenic enterocolitis?
bowel wall thickening; > 4 mm of the cecum and terminal ileum
- mesenteric fat stranding
- bowel dilation
- mucosal enhancement
- pneumatosis
ddx for neutropenic enterocolitis
- CDI
- colonic pseudo-obstruction (aka Ogilvie syndrome)
- CMV colitis
- GVHD in the setting of BMT
GVHD presentation
- rash
- diarrhea
- abnormal liver function
treatment for colonic pseudo-obstruction (Ogilvie syndrome)
- conservative; decompression w/ NGT
- neostigmine if cecal diameter > 12 cm or 48-72 hours of conservative therapy has failed
subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) that differs from other forms of AML because of its propensity to cause coagulopathy w/ DIC
acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
subtype of leukemia that mimics DIC w/ the following clotting tests abnormalities;
- low fibrinogen level
- thrombocytopenia
- elevated PT
- elevated thrombin time
- elevated PTT
- elevated fibrinogen degradation products
acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
what is a distinguishing feature in the diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)?
Auer rods on PBS
leukemia subtype w/ translocation between chromosomes 15 and 17
acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
targeted therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL)
all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA)
what activates endothelial cells in CAPS?
anti-β2-glycoprotein
rare d/o characterized by overstimulation of the immune system, leading to systemic inflammation and multisystem organ failure
hemophagocytic syndromes (HPSs)
what are the poor prognostic factors of hemophagocytic syndromes (HPSs)?
- a/w lymphoma
- > 30 yoa
- higher ferritin elevation
- marked thrombocytopenia
- male sex
- low albumin
- d/o infancy and childhood
- caused by genetic mutations that impair the cytotoxic function of NK and cytotoxic T cells
primary hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH)
- often a/w predisposing condition, malignancy (lymphoma), immunodeficiency, or infection (EBV)
- can be referred to as macrophage activation syndrome when it occurs in a/w AI disease, such as juvenile idiopathic arthritis, adult-onset Still’s disease, and SLE
secondary hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS)
the diagnostic HLH guidelines proposed by the Histiocyte Society remain the most widely used criteria, but are poorly validated and exclude a number of manifestations, which are?
- neurological involvement
- rash
- coagulopathy
- hyponatremia
- elevated transaminases
- elevated LDH
- low CRP
treatment for hemophagocytic syndromes (HPSs) is extrapolated from the pediatric literature which includes what?
- dexamethasone
- etoposide w/ or w/o cyclosporine A
- doxorubicin
- IVIG
- ruxolitinib
- anakinra
- allogeneic SCT
treatment that be used for HLH when a/w lymphoma and EBV
- cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, vincristine, prednisone (CHOP), and rituximab
what treatment can be considered in patients w/ HLH that have marked elevations in ferritin and LDH?
plasma exchange
treatment consideration for relapsed cases of HLH
splenectomy
a fall in platelet count after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is expected to drop by how much and for how long?
- 1/2
- can persist for 4 to 6 days following surgery
anti-PF4 heparin ELISA testing is positive in what percentage of patient between post-op days 3 to 10 of CPB? and what percentage are confirmed to have HIT?
- 25-50%
- 1-4%
the risk-benefit ratio and timing of initiation of DVT chemoprophylaxis following cardiac surgery and CPB is controversial, but chemoprophylaxis can be safely initiated once post-op bleeding risk has declined which is usually by post-op day?
1 or 2
treatment of HIT consists of what?
- d/c heparin
- removal of heparin-coated intravascular devices (important! and easy to forget)
- avoidance of warfarin (d/t enhanced prothrombotic activity early in warfarin therapy)
- AC w/ alternative agents
what is the only AC agent currently approved by the FDA for HIT?
argatroban
what adjunct therapy may be used for refractory HIT, but w/ limited evidence to support its use?
IVIG
TEG (thromboelastometry) has been proposed to assist in guidance of factor replacement in patients w/ hemorrhage; RCTs in which patient populations have supported the utility of TEG?
- traumatic hemorrhagic shock
- liver transplant
a visual guide depicted as a graph that helps answer questions about the components of clot formation, stability, and lysis
TEG (thromboelastometry)
in TEG, the clotting time (R, or activated clotting time, ACT) is what?
the time from reagent addition to the sample until FIBRIN forms
what is the most common cause of a prolonged R or ACT time?
coagulation factor deficiency
in TEG, clot kinetics are measured by the K time, which is?
the time to achieve a clot amplitude of 20 mm; a measure of clot STRENGTH
in TEG, clot kinetics are also measured by the α angle, which is?
the rate of clot formation d/t fibrin accumulation and cross-linking
in TEG, maximum amplitude (MA) is what?
a measure of the maximum dynamic properties of fibrin and platelet bonding through glycoprotein 2b/3a receptors
the maximum amplitude (MA) reflects what?
the OVERALL strength of the fibrin clot and is most impacted by platelet numbers and function
in TEG, LY30 and LY60 are what?
a measure of clot stability and breakdown by the percentage decrease at 30 and 60 minutes after MA
LY30 and LY60, basically, provides what information?
the degree of fibrinolysis
an increase in LY30 and/or LY60 might prompt consideration of treatment w/ what?
tranexamic acid (TXA)
when administered w/i the first 8 hours (especially the first 3 hours), what treatment has been shown to decrease all-cause mortality in patients p/w or at risk for traumatic hemorrhage?
tranexamic acid (TXA)
the 4T scoring system is best studied in the ICU population to help stratify the risk of HIT; what are the citeria?
- degree of thrombocytopenia
- change and timing of platelet count from baseline
- presence of thrombosis
- other possible causes of thrombocytopenia
HIT Ab testing should ONLY be performed in patients at what risk?
intermediate or high risk
the initial screening ELISA for HIT has what test characteristics?
very sensitive but not specific
an intermediate or high 4T score and positive ELISA should prompt what management?
- d/c heparin
- remove heparin-bound devices
- confirmatory testing w/ a functional assay (either 14C-serotonin release assay or heparin-induced platelet activation assay)
- initiation of an alternate form of AC
- lower extremity doppler US
what is the most common complication of HIT?
lower extremity DVT
in patients w/ HIT, current guidelines support treatment w/ what agents?
- direct thrombin inhibitors; argatroban or bivalirudin
- indirect factor Xa inhibitors; danaparoid or fondaparinux
current guidelines recommend the use of what AC agent ONLY for HIT in pregnant patients when danaparoid is NOT available?
fondaparinux
what AC agent has a long half-life making it less preferred in critically ill patients, the elderly, AKI or CKD, or significant bleeding risk?
fondaparinux
there is emerging evidence suggesting that non-vitamin K antagonists, such as what AC agent, may be effective in treating critically ill patients w/ HIT?
rivaroxaban
what are the only IV direct thrombin inhibitors available for use in HIT?
- argatroban
- bivalirudin
argatroban is the recommended first-line agent and only drug approved by the FDA for HIT, but should be used w/ caution in which patients?
- HF
- liver disease
- severe anasarca
- after cardiac surgery
which medication is recommended for patients w/ HIT requiring emergent cardiac surgery or PCI, but requires significant dose adjustments in both hepatic and renal dysfunction?
bivalirudin
tranexamic acid, a lysine analogue that acts as an inhibitor of fibrinolysis, has been shown to reduce mortality in patient populations?
- postpartum hemorrhage
- trauma
- selected patients w/ traumatic brain injury (TBI)
the use of tranexamic acid in what patient population has NOT been shown to reduce mortality?
patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
what is another practical use of TEG (thromboelastometry)?
can measure functional impact of hypothermia and acidosis
trauma-induced coagulopathy following massive hemorrhage is multifactorial; what are these factors?
- consumption of platelets and coagulation factors during clot formation in damaged blood vessels
- plasma dilution from ivf or excessive prbc administration
- dysregulated activation of the thrombomodulin-protein C system d/t tissue injury and hypoperfusion
- hypoxemia
- acidosis
- hypothermia
what are the concerns surrounding the 1:1:1 ratio (1 unit of pooled platelets approximating 6 units, followed by alternating units of prbcs and plasma) approach based on the PROPPR trial fallen out of favor to a more targeted approach as w/ the use of TEG?
- TRALI
- transfusion-associated circulatory overload
- infection
- immunomodulation risk
preferred initial therapeutic option for splenic rupture
embolization; either proximal splenic artery or selective distal embolization
dasatinib, a second-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, is a/w adverse effects?
- cytopenias
- pleural effusions
- bleeding (decreases platelet function)
criteria for hyperleukocytosis
total leukemic blood count of 50,000-100,000/μL
leukostasis, when WBCs coalesce in the microvasculature, typically occurs in AML and CML during a myeloid blast crisis w/ very blast counts, and most commonly p/w
respiratory distress and/or neurological symptoms
pulmonary signs/symptoms of leukostasis
- dyspnea
- hypoxia
- variable interstitial or alveolar infiltrates on cxr
- decreased PO2 on abg measurement d/t increased O2 uptake by the large numbers of blast cells (hallmark sign)
since a hallmark sign of leukostasis is a decreased PO2 on abg measurement d/t increased O2 uptake by the large numbers of blast cells, how should O2 levels be monitored?
pulse oximetry
neurological signs/symptoms of leukostasis
- visual changes
- headache
- dizziness
- tinnitus
- gait instability
- decreased levels of consciousness
patients w/ hyperleukocytosis have an increased risk of what? and that risk may persist for at least a week after reduction of the WBC count, possibly from reperfusion injury
intracranial hemorrhage
what is the initial therapy for leukostasis?
leukapheresis
specificity of US for the detection of splenic rupture
> 90%
- h/o blood product transfusion
- skin rash
- diarrhea
- elevated bilirubin
transfusion-associated graft-vs-host disease (TA-GVHD)
classic skin lesion a/w GVHD
erythematous maculopapular morbilliform eruption that starts on the face, ears, palms, and soles
what are the important predispositions to developing TA-GVHD?
- lymphoproliferative malignancies (in particular, Hodgkin’s lymphoma)
- prior receipt of certain chemotherapeutic medications