Management practices for asparaginase-associated coagulopathy: a survey
of pediatric oncologists
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Coagulopathy and thrombosis are well-described complications
of asparaginase therapy; however, treatment practices in pediatric
hematology oncology patients vary widely as evidence-based guidelines
for clinical management of these complications in this population are
lacking. OBJECTIVE: To assess management practices of
asparaginase-related coagulopathy by pediatric hematology oncology (PHO)
providers. DESIGN/METHOD: Email survey sent to 2,327 PHO providers
primarily practicing in the United States. RESULTS: Two hundred and
eighty-five (12.2%) attending physicians completed the survey. Only
4.6% (n=13/285) routinely prescribe prophylactic anticoagulation during
induction chemotherapy for leukemia. Slightly more than half (n=145/250,
50.9%) of all providers perform baseline coagulation studies. Most
providers that were surveyed (n= 185/285, 64.9%) only replete coagulant
factors if the patient experiences bleeding or bruising. One hundred and
thirty (n = 130/285, 45.6%) physicians replace low fibrinogen, and the
median replacement was 100 mg/dL (range: 40-200 mg/dL) with the median
target of at least 100 mg/dL (range: 50-200 mg/dL). A minority of
physicians (n=39/250, 13.7%) replace low antithrombin at a median
cutoff activity level of 60% (range 40-100 %) with a median target of
75% (range: 40-125 %). CONCLUSION: There is a significant variation in
PHO provider practices for monitoring and management of
asparaginase-associated hemostatic derangements. Evidence-based
guidelines have the potential to standardize practices.