Management of bleeding complications of hematologic malignancies. 2007

David Green
Division of Hematology/Oncology, Department of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine of Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois. d-green@northwestern.edu

Persons with hematologic malignancies bleed for a variety of reasons, including alterations in platelet function and numbers, clotting factor deficiencies, circulating anticoagulants, and defects in vascular integrity. The management of bleeding begins with a full characterization of the hemostatic defect. Vitamin K deficiency always should be considered and excluded by clinical history and laboratory tests. Localized bleeding is treated by packing, topical hemostatic agents, dressings, vessel ligation, laser beam coagulation, or embolization. Platelet transfusions are administered for hemorrhage secondary to severe platelet dysfunction or thrombocytopenia, but usually are not indicated if there is no bleeding, even though platelets may be as low as 10,000/microL. Bleeding due to thrombocytopenia that is refractory to random-donor platelets may respond to cross-matched compatible platelets, or to recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa). Fresh frozen plasma is indicated infrequently; bleeding due to coagulopathies is better managed with cryoprecipitate if fibrinogen is low, or with clotting factor concentrates appropriate for the specific clotting factors found to be deficient. rFVIIa or activated prothrombin complex concentrate usually controls hemorrhage due to autoantibodies directed against factor VIII, and acquired von Willebrand's disease may be responsive to desmopressin or intravenous gamma globulin infusion. Antifibrinolytic agents often enhance other hemostatic therapies, but should be withheld if there is genitourinary bleeding or evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Finally, plasmapheresis and immunoadsorption to remove paraproteins may be helpful when other measures fail to curb bleeding.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D001778 Blood Coagulation Disorders Hemorrhagic and thrombotic disorders that occur as a consequence of abnormalities in blood coagulation due to a variety of factors such as COAGULATION PROTEIN DISORDERS; BLOOD PLATELET DISORDERS; BLOOD PROTEIN DISORDERS or nutritional conditions. Coagulation Disorders, Blood,Disorders, Blood Coagulation,Blood Coagulation Disorder,Coagulation Disorder, Blood,Disorder, Blood Coagulation
D006470 Hemorrhage Bleeding or escape of blood from a vessel. Bleeding,Hemorrhages
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013921 Thrombocytopenia A subnormal level of BLOOD PLATELETS. Thrombopenia,Thrombocytopenias,Thrombopenias
D019337 Hematologic Neoplasms Neoplasms located in the blood and blood-forming tissue (the bone marrow and lymphatic tissue). The commonest forms are the various types of LEUKEMIA, of LYMPHOMA, and of the progressive, life-threatening forms of the MYELODYSPLASTIC SYNDROMES. Blood Cancer,Hematologic Malignancies,Hematopoietic Neoplasms,Hematologic Malignancy,Hematological Malignancies,Hematological Neoplasms,Hematopoietic Malignancies,Malignancies, Hematologic,Malignancy, Hematologic,Neoplasms, Hematologic,Neoplasms, Hematopoietic,Blood Cancers,Cancer, Blood,Hematologic Neoplasm,Hematological Malignancy,Hematological Neoplasm,Hematopoietic Malignancy,Hematopoietic Neoplasm,Malignancy, Hematological,Malignancy, Hematopoietic,Neoplasm, Hematologic,Neoplasm, Hematological,Neoplasm, Hematopoietic
D019468 Disease Management A broad approach to appropriate coordination of the entire disease treatment process that often involves shifting away from more expensive inpatient and acute care to areas such as preventive medicine, patient counseling and education, and outpatient care. This concept includes implications of appropriate versus inappropriate therapy on the overall cost and clinical outcome of a particular disease. (From Hosp Pharm 1995 Jul;30(7):596) Disease Managements,Management, Disease,Managements, Disease

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