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Treatment of Rare Factor Deficiencies

To treat minor or moderate bleeds in joints or in soft tissues, basic first aid for any bleed is Rest Ice Compression Elevation. These four steps are known as R.I.C.E and can help to reduce pain and discomfort of a bleed.

      • Rest – Rest a limb by using crutches or a wheelchair. Minimize walking as much as possible. Rest an arm by using a sling (scarf will do) to support the limb.

        • Ice – Apply ice to the injured site. Use an ice-pack or a bag of frozen vegetables wrapped in a damp towel. Never apply the ice directly to the skin. Apply the ice for about 15 minutes every 2 hours.

          • Compression – Wrap an injured joint in an elastic bandage using a figure-eight pattern. Watch for signs of numbness, cold, sharp pain, or a change of colour in the finger or toes. These are signs that the circulation has been cut off. If any of these signs occur, remove the bandage and reapply it with less tension.

          • Elevation – Raise the affected limb above the heart to reduce swelling. This will also improve blood circulation. The Haemophilia Treatment Centre team will provide support during these bleeding episodes.

          R.I.C.E. is not a substitute for medical treatment such as factor replacement in the event of a persistent or major bleed. A bleed into a muscle can cause permanent damage to the affected limb and can be extremely painful. If a muscle bleed is suspected, contact the HTC as soon as you can. The treatment for those with rare factor deficiencies varies. Where available, single factor concentrates, for example, factors I, VII, X, XI and XIII, are used to replace the missing factors. These are plasma-derived treatments made from human plasma. Recombinant FVIIa and FXIII concentrates, made without human blood products, are also available. In some cases, factor concentrates, with multiple factors, for example II, VII, IX and X, are used where no single-factor product is available.

            Rare factor Deficiencies (FI,FII,FV,FVII,FX, FXIII)
          Licensed

          Labile Products

          • Fresh frozen plasma
          • Solvent-detergent plasma
          • Platelets

          Clotting Factor Concentrates

          • Concentrates containing a single factor, derived from human plasma
          • Concentrates containing a single factor, manufactured through recombinant technology, not derived from human plasma
          • Concentrates containing multiple factors, derived from human plasma

          By-Passing Agents

          • Recombinant FVIIa

          Adjunct Therapies

          • Antifibrinolytics
          • Desmopressin
          • Hormone treatment (Women/Girls)  

          Factor Concentrates

          When they are available, factor concentrates are the ideal and safest treatment for rare factor deficiencies. Unfortunately, individual concentrates are available only for factors I, VII, VIII, XI, and XIII. Factor concentrates for rare factor deficiencies are usually made from human plasma and are treated to eliminate viruses like HIV and hepatitis B and C. Recombinant factor VIII and recombinant factor VIIa are also available. They are made in the laboratory and not from human plasma, so they carry no risk of infectious disease. Factor concentrates are administered intravenously.

          Prothrombin Complex Concentrate (PCC)

          This concentrate is made from human plasma and contains a mixture of clotting factors, including factors II, VII, IX, and X (however, some products do not contain all four factors). PCC is suitable for individual deficiencies of factor II and X as well as inherited combined deficiency of the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (VKCFD). It is treated to eliminate viruses like HIV and hepatitis B and C. Some PCCs have been reported to cause potentially dangerous blood clots (thrombosis). Therefore, single factor concentrates are preferred when available. PCC is administered intravenously.

          Fresh Frozen Plasma (FFP)

          Plasma is the portion of blood that contains all the clotting factors, as well as other blood proteins. FFP is used to treat rare bleeding disorders when concentrates of the specific factor that is missing are not available. FFP is the usual treatment for factor V deficiency. However, it usually does not undergo viral inactivation, so the risk of transmission of infectious diseases is higher. Viral-inactivated FFP or pooled plasma treated with a detergent to inactivate viruses (S-D Plasma) are available in some countries and are preferable. Circulatory overload is a potential problem with this treatment. Since the concentration of each coagulation factor in FFP is low, a large volume of it must be given over several hours in order to achieve an adequate rise in factor level. This large amount of FFP needed can overload the circulatory system and stress the heart. Other complications of treatment with FFP can occur, particularly allergic reactions or lung problems (transfusion-related lung injury [TRALI]). These problems are much less common if viral-inactivated pooled FFP is used. FFP is administered intravenously.

          Cryoprecipitate

          Made from human plasma, cryoprecipitate contains factor VIII, fibrinogen (factor I), and a few other proteins important for blood clotting. Cryoprecipitate does not undergo viral inactivation and should only be used when factor concentrate is not available. It contains higher concentrations than FFP of some (but not all) coagulation factors, so less volume is needed. It is only suitable for a few deficiencies. Cryoprecipitate is administered intravenously.

          Desmopressin

          Desmopressin is a synthetic hormone that raises the levels of factor VIII in patients with combined factor V and factor VIII deficiency. Since it is man-made, there is no risk of transmission of infectious diseases. Desmopressin has no effect on the levels of any of the other coagulation factors. It can be administered intranasally, subcutaneously or intravenously.

          Antifibrinolytics

          Antifibrinolytics – tranexamic acid and aminocaproic acid – are used to hold a clot in place in certain parts of the body, such as the mouth, bladder and uterus. They are also very useful in many situations, such as during dental work, but are not effective for major internal bleeding or surgery. Antifibrinolytic drugs are particularly useful for patients with factor XI deficiency. They are also used to help control excessive menstrual bleeding. Antifibrinolytic drugs can be administered orally or by injection.

          Fibrin Glue

          Fibrin glue can be used to treat external wounds and during dental work, such as a tooth extraction. It is not used for major bleeding or surgery. It is applied to the bleeding site.

          Platelet Transfusions

          Platelets are small blood cells that are involved in the formation of blood clots and the repair of damaged blood vessels. Certain clotting factors, including factor V, are stored in small sacs inside them. Platelet transfusions are sometimes used to treat factor V deficiency.

          Vitamin K

          Treatment with vitamin K (either in pill form or by injection) can help control symptoms of inherited combined deficiency of the vitamin K-dependent clotting factors (VKCFD). However, not everyone responds to this type of treatment. People who do not respond to vitamin K and have a bleed or need surgery will need factor replacement.

          Hormonal Therapies

          Hormonal contraceptives (birth control pills) help control menstrual bleeding (read more).