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Background Anti-fibrotic drugs may interfere with wound-healing after major surgery, theoretically preventing sufficient bronchial anastomosis formation after lung transplantation (LTx). The aim of this study was to assess the impact of previous treatment with pirfenidone and nintedanib on outcomes after LTx in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Methods All patients with IPF undergoing LTx at the University of Munich between January 2012 and November 2016 were retrospectively screened for previous use of anti-fibrotics. Post-transplant outcome and survival of patients with and without anti-fibrotic treatment were analyzed. Results A total of 62 patients with IPF were transplanted (lung allocation score [mean ± SD] 53.1 ± 16.1). Of these, 23 (37.1%) received pirfenidone and 7 (11.3%) received nintedanib before LTx; the remaining 32 (51.6%) did not receive any anti-fibrotic drug (control group). Patients receiving anti-fibrotics were significantly older (p = 0.004) and their carbon monoxide diffusion capacity was significantly higher ( p = 0.008) than in controls. Previous anti-fibrotic treatment did not increase blood product utilization, wound-healing or anastomotic complications after LTx. Post-transplant surgical revisions due to bleeding and/or impaired wound-healing were necessary in 18 (29.0%) patients (pirfenidone 30.4%, nintedanib 14.3%, control 31.3%; p = 0.66). Anastomosis insufficiency occurred in 2 (3.2%) patients, both in the control group. No patient died within the first 30 days post-LTx, and no significant differences regarding survival were seen during the follow-up (12-month survival: pirfenidone 77.0%, nintedanib 100%, control 90.6%; p = 0.29). Conclusion Our data show that previous use of anti-fibrotic therapy does not increase surgical complications or post-operative mortality after LTx.

Background: Newly approved immunotherapeutic agents, like CTLA-4 inhibitors and antibodies against PD-1, are a promising therapeutic option in cancer therapy. Case presentation: A 74-year-old man, with a history of advanced stage melanoma and treatment with ipilimumab, pembrolizumab and nivolumab, was admitted to the hospital due to respiratory failure with hypoxemia and dyspnoea. He rapidly developed severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which required treatment in the intensive care unit which included mechanical ventilation and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). Computed tomographic imaging (CT) showed signs of a pneumonitis, with an ARDS pattern related to the use of PD-1 antibodies. Treating the patient with high-dose immunosuppressive steroids led to an overall improvement. He was transferred to a rehabilitation hospital and subsequently to his home. Discussion and conclusion: This is a unique case report of a patient suffering a grade 4 adverse event under nivolumab who survived having been treated with ECMO. It highlights the possibility of associated adverse reactions as well as the use of ECMO in palliative care patients. ECMO can be of great success even in patients with malignancies, but careful decision making should be done on a case by case basis.

Selexipag is an orally available selective IP prostacyclin-receptor agonist licensed since 2016 for the therapy of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We aimed to describe real-life data of patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH) treated with selexipag. We analyzed all patients initiated with selexipag from July 2016 to April 2018 at the Department of Internal Medicine V, University of Munich. Non-invasive and invasive parameters corresponding to the risk assessment were collected at baseline and follow-up (FU). Furthermore, we recorded tolerability. Twenty-six patients were treated with selexipag, of whom 23 had PAH and three had chronic thromboembolic PH. At baseline, most patients were in function class (FC) II or III (42% and 54%, respectively). All patients were under medical treatment for PH, mostly dual therapy (92%). One or more side effects were noted in 19 patients, while seven reported no side-effects. FU assessment was available in 20 patients after 149 ± 80 days of treatment. Nt-proBNP (median, baseline 1641 pg/mL, FU 1185 pg/mL, P = 0.05) and PVR (mean ± SD, baseline 8.5 ± 4.3 WU, FU 5.6 ± 1.1 WU; P

In patients undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation, conditioning regimens containing alemtuzumab instead of anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) may result in an earlier platelet engraftment and a reduced number of platelet transfusions.We performed a retrospective, single-center, case-control study analyzing time to engraftment and transfusion needs using alemtuzumab in comparison with ATG as part of conditioning protocol.Median values for time to platelet engraftment, number of transfused platelet concentrates and number of transfused red cell concentrates were 12 versus 19.5 days (p0.001), 2 versus 14 (p0.001) and 6 versus 14.5 (p = 0.003) in the alemtuzumab and ATG group. Time to leukocyte engraftment did not differ with median 15 days in both groups. Patients in the ATG group showed a significant higher decrease in platelet count during conditioning (68 vs. 29 %, p = 0.001), leading to significant lower median platelet counts at the day of stem cell infusion (38 vs. 95.5 Gpt/l, p = 0.008), and higher values for median C-reactive protein after first antibody infusion (69.0 vs. 43.6 mg/l, p = 0.001) compared with alemtuzumab group. Test for significance was done by using Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Subgroup analysis considering the type of ATG used (Thymoglobulin vs. ATG Fresenius) revealed that differences between alemtuzumab and ATG group were more due to effects of ATG Fresenius than Thymoglobulin.The use of alemtuzumab in comparison with ATG as part of the conditioning regimen may be an approach to reduce the number of transfused platelet and red cell concentrates after allogeneic stem cell transplantation.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is considered a disease of older patients, being rare in patients ≤ 50 years. Still, IPF can occur in younger patients, but this particular patient group is not well characterised so far. The aim of this study was to compare the diagnostic certainty, clinical features, comorbidities and survival in young versus older IPF patients. We reviewed our medical records from February 2011 until February 2015, to identify IPF patients, who were then classified as young (≤ 50 years) or older IPF (> 50 years). Radiographic and histological findings, lung function parameters, comorbidities, disease progression and survival were analysed and compared between the two groups. Of 440 patients with interstitial lung disease, 129 patients with IPF were identified, including 30 (23.3%) ≤50 years and 99 (76.7%) > 50 years. There were no differences between age groups in baseline demographics; younger patients were less likely to have a confirmed diagnosis by high-resolution computed tomography (p = 0.014), more likely to require a biopsy (p = 0.08) and less likely to have received antifibrotic therapy (p = 0.006). Despite an overall limited prognosis, younger patients had a significantly better median survival after diagnosis (p = 0.0375), with a significantly higher proportion of older patients dying due to respiratory failure (p = 0.0383). IPF patients under the age of 50 years have similar features and clinical course compared to older IPF patients. These patients should be diagnosed by adopting a multidisciplinary team approach, potentially benefitting from earlier intervention with effective antifibrotic therapy.

Summary Background Routine prophylactic platelet transfusion is the standard of care for patients with severe thrombocytopenia. We assessed the effect of a new strategy of therapeutic platelet transfusion on the number of transfusions and safety in patients with hypoproliferative thrombocytopenia. Methods We did a multicentre, open-label, randomised parallel-group trial at eight haematology centres in Germany. Patients aged 16–80 years, who were undergoing intensive chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukaemia or autologous haemopoietic stem-cell transplantation for haematological cancers, were randomly assigned via a computer-generated randomisation sequence to receive either platelet transfusion when bleeding occurred (therapeutic strategy) or when morning platelet counts were 10×10 9 per L or lower (prophylactic strategy). Investigators undertaking interventions were not masked to group assignment. The primary endpoint was the number of platelet transfusions. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered, NCT00521664. Findings 197 patients were assigned the prophylactic strategy and 199 the therapeutic strategy. Of 391 patients analysed, the therapeutic strategy reduced the mean number of platelet transfusions by 33·5% (95% CI 22·2–43·1; p vs 1·63 [1·42–1·83] in therapeutic group), 31·6% (18·6–42·6; p vs 1·83 [1·58–2·10]), and 34·2% (6·6–53·7; p=0·0193) in those who had had autologous transplantation (1·80 [1·45–2·15] vs 1·18 [0·82–1·55]. We noted no increased risk of major haemorrhage in patients who had undergone autologous transplantation. In those with acute myeloid leukaemia, risk of non-fatal grade 4 (mostly CNS) bleeding was increased. We recorded 15 cases of non-fatal haemorrhage: four retinal in each transfusion group, and one vaginal and six cerebral in the therapeutic group. 12 patients died in the study: two from fatal cerebral haemorrhages in the therapeutic group, and ten (five in each treatment group) unrelated to major bleeding. Interpretation The therapeutic strategy could become a new standard of care after autologous stem-cell transplantation; however, prophylactic platelet transfusion should remain the standard for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia. The new strategy should be used by some haematology centres only if the staff are well educated and experienced in the new approach and can react in a timely way to first signs of CNS bleeding. Funding Deutsche Krebshilfe eV (German Cancer Aid).

Unfractionated heparin is the anticoagulant of choice for cardiac surgery as it can be easily monitored and antagonized. However, besides bleeding, heparin can induce the adverse effect of immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In contrast to adults, for pediatric patients, only few data concerning HIT are available. However, these data indicate that children following cardiac surgery are the pediatric population with the highest risk for HIT. Analyzing 83 children with HIT, a decrease in platelet counts is the most frequent manifestation of HIT occurring in about 79% of patients. HIT was associated with thromboembolic complications in 69% of patients. Eight of 37 children developing HIT after cardiac surgery died, leading to a mortality of up to 21% in this patient population. For laboratory confirmation of clinically suspected HIT, antigen assays are most appropriate due to the small sample volume needed and high negative predictive value. For children, experience with the alternative anticoagulants danaparoid, lepirudin, and argatroban is limited to case reports. However, safe and effective anticoagulation, even for cardiopulmonary bypass surgery, has been reported with these drugs. Use of low molecular weight heparin instead of unfractionated heparin for postoperative anticoagulation may reduce the risk of HIT following cardiac surgery.

Background: Patients with mucin-producing adenocarcinoma have an increased risk for venous and arterial thrombosis. When these patients present with thrombocytopenia, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (DIC) is often the underlying cause. Case Report: We report 2 patients who were admitted due to bleeding symptoms of unknown cause, in whom further workup revealed adenocarcinoma-induced DIC. Conclusion: In elderly patients presenting with signs of DIC, such as reduced fibrinogen levels, elevated prothrombin time, elevated D-dimer, and thrombocytopenia, without any obvious reason (e.g., sepsis), adenocarcinoma-associated coagulopathy should be considered as the underlying cause. Paradoxically, in these patients bleeding symptoms improve when the patient is sufficiently anti-coagulated with low molecular weight heparin. Treatment of the underlying disease is of central importance in controlling acute or chronic DIC associated with malignant diseases and chemotherapy should be started as soon as possible.

Hintergrund. Die immunologische Form der heparininduzierten Thrombozytopenie (HIT) ist eine schwere Komplikation einer Heparintherapie. Sie ist durch IgG-Antikorper gegen multimolekulare Komplexe aus Plattchenfaktor 4 (PF4) und Heparin verursacht. Diese binden uber Fcγ-Rezeptoren an Thrombozyten; die Vernetzung von Fcγ-Rezeptoren bewirkt eine Thrombozytenaktivierung, Plattchenaggregation und erhohte Thrombinbildung. Dies begunstigt die Ausbildung neuer thrombembolischer Komplikationen unter Heparin. Fur padiatrische Patienten gibt es nur wenige Daten zur HIT. Wir beschreiben einen neuen eigenen Fall bei einem Neugeborenen und analysieren Literaturberichte von 51 Kindern.

Antibody-mediated in vivo T cell depletion is common prior to unrelated (URD) or mismatched allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) and optional in HLA-identical sibling (FAM) alloSCT. While anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) is the current standard, alemtuzumab is an alternative. The optimal dose of alemtuzumab has not been defined. This retrospective analysis compares low-dose alemtuzumab with ATG in URD alloSCT and with no antibody in FAM alloSCT. Twenty-eight patients treated with alemtuzumab (10 mg; HLA mismatch, 20 mg) were matched to 28 patients who have either received ATG (URD) or no antibody (noAB) according to disease, disease stage, age, transplant type and risk state. Both groups were compared for engraftment, outcome, disease-free (DFS) and overall survival (OS), graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), freedom from GvHD (ffGvHD) and transplant-related mortality (TRM). No significant differences were found between the groups for leukocyte engraftment, GvHD, ffGvHD, TRM, DFS and OS. There was a trend for reduction of cGvHD by alemtuzumab (p = 0.05). A transplant-type stratified subanalysis consolidated equivalency of alemtuzumab and ATG in URD-SCT and indicates possible superiority of low-dose alemtuzumab compared to noAB in FAM-SCT. Low-dose alemtuzumab, as part of conditioning regimen prior to alloSCT, is safe and comparable to standard ATG. Prospective trials, particularly comparing alemtuzumab vs. noAB in FAM alloSCT, should be conducted.

BACKGROUND: Unexpected neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) may have devastating consequences and its management is challenging. To design future trials, evidence from the literature and existing best practice need review. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey of neonatal units in Germany and Canada to determine management strategies of NAIT and a systematic search for randomized controlled trials (RCTs). RESULTS: Management of NAIT differs substantially between countries with regard to platelet (PLT) thresholds for screening, initiation of therapy, and treatment. Seventy-seven percent of Canadian physicians versus 68 percent of German physicians screen preterm and term infants, at a PLT threshold of 30 × 109 to 100 × 109 per L. In preterm infants, 60 percent of Canadian neonatologists commence treatment at a PLT count of between 30 × 109 and 50 × 109 per L. In Germany 32 percent of the physicians start treatment at this level and 25 percent use a threshold of between 10 × 109 and 20 × 109 per L. In term infants, 6 percent of the Canadian physicians and 16 percent of the German physicians use even lower treatment triggers of between 5 × 109 and 10 × 109 per L. In the presence of bleeding, 61 percent of German physicians await the arrival of antigen-negative PLTs, while 64 percent of Canadian neonatologists prefer intravenous immunoglobulin or random-donor PLTs (81%). Maternal PLTs are utilized by 31 percent of physicians in both countries. No RCTs were identified. CONCLUSION: In the absence of RCTs, management of unexpected NAIT differs between countries. Clinicians and transfusion services may use the results of our study to develop collaborative protocols, redefine preferred hospitalwide strategies, and design future controlled trials.

SummaryImmune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare but severe adverse effect of heparin therapy. Only few data are available on clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of HIT in children. Records of all patients sent to our laboratory between 1995 and November 2003 were reviewed. To identify literature reports a Medline search was performed, the reference lists of those publications were screened and the abstracts of meetings on thrombosis and hemostasis between 2000 and 2003 were assessed. We identified 12 new HIT patients between 13 months and 18 years of age from our laboratory and 71 reports on HIT in children in the literature. For the assessment of frequency of HIT all studies enrolling > 100 patients were analyzed. HIT is rare in children. In pediatric patients, there seem to be two risk groups: newborns and infants under 4 years of age undergoing cardiac surgery (incidence ∼ 1-2%), and teenagers treated with heparin for thrombosis. For confirmation of HIT in children, antigen assays are most important. There are conflicting data on the optimal cut-off, with one randomized, double-blind trial indicating that the cut-off established in adults is appropriate.There are no systematic studies on alternative anticoagulants in children affected by HIT. Most data are available for lepirudin and danaparoid. Substitution of unfractionated heparin by low-molecular-weight heparins for regular anticoagulation may reduce the incidence of HIT.

Heparin addition to infusion fluids is used to prolong catheter patency in newborns. Heparin may also induce adverse effects such as bleeding complications and immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). One objective was peripheral venous catheter patency with heparinization of continuous infusions (0.5 IU/mL). Secondary objectives were incidences of bleeding, clinically manifest HIT, HIT antibodies, and catheter-related complications.Inclusion criteria were anticipated need for intravenous peripheral infusion (or=5 days for HIT-related endpoints) and postnatal age28 days at study entry. Exclusion criteria were bodyweight1000 g, congenital malformation, need for therapeutic anticoagulation or mechanical ventilation, and severe bleeding. HIT antibodies were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.A total of 145 infants received heparin, and 151 infants received saline. Patient characteristics, number of additional drugs, duration of treatment, and location and size of catheters did not differ. Patency of catheters was 7.4 hours longer in the heparin group (33.8 hours vs 26.4 hours, P.0001), but the total numbers of catheters did not differ (565 vs 692, P=.3). No infant developed HIT antibodies. Incidences of bleeding complications and thrombocytopenia were comparable between groups.Balancing the benefits against the risks of heparin addition and the rare complication of HIT, we will not use 0.5 IU/mL heparin addition to parenteral fluids.

We performed a multicenter randomized trial comparing the traditional prophylactic platelet transfusion strategy -arm P- (trigger: morning platelet count ≤ 10/nL) with an experimental therapeutic transfusion strategy -arm T- where patients (pts) received platelet transfusions only if they experienced clinically relevant bleeding (more than petechias or minimal mucosal bleeding). The morning platelet count was no trigger in arm T for transfusion as well as fever per se. Fever was no additional risk factor for bleeding in thrombocytopenic pts treated with our therapeutic transfusion strategy as published recently. (Wandt, H et al. Bone Marrow Transplant2006; 37:387–392) For safety reasons prophylactic transfusion was recommended in arm T, however, for pts with invasive aspergillosis, sepsis syndrome and unexpected headache. Randomisation was stratified according to age ( Results: Platelet transfusions could be reduced significantly by 27% in arm T compared with arm P (p0.004). In arm T 46% of pts did not need any platelet transfusion and this was more than the double compared to arm P (0.001). Between younger and older pts there was no difference in numbers of platelet transfusions needed. Overall, adherence to the protocol was good. Since clinically relevant bleeding (more than petechias and minimal mucosal bleeding) was the trigger for platelet transfusion in arm T consequently more such hemorrhages occured in arm T (28.7% vs 9.5%). No life threatening or fatal bleeding was registered. Hemorrhages were mainly (21.8%) epistaxis or mucosal, 6.9% were minor bleedings (e.g. vaginal, hematochezia, hemoptysis, hematuria). One pt with sudden headache had a minor cerebral hemorrhage (subarachnoid) documented by ct-scan without any clinical sequelae. Days with hemorrhage overall were rare but significantly increased in arm T (0.69 vs 0.17 days per pt). Age was no risk factor for bleeding. As already expected by our former experience we could show that fever and infection were no additional risk factor for bleeding in arm T compared with arm P despite the very stringent platelet transfusion strategy in the experimental transfusion arm. In pts with multiple myeloma bleeding events were very rare compared to other diagnoses (p We conclude that our therapeutic platelet transfusion strategy is cost effective and safe in pts after autologous stem cell transplantation. Despite more minor hemorrhages in the experimental arm compared with the traditional prophylactic strategy all bleeding events could be safely controlled by consecutive platelet transfusion. Development of major bleeding could be prevented by the therapeutic transfusion strategy according to our protocol.