Thromboelastography reflects global hemostatic variation among severe haemophilia A dogs at rest and following acute exercise.

Abstract

The heterogeneity among severe haemophilia A patients reflects on variable tendencies for bleeding and also variable responses to FVIII therapy. This variability cannot be detected or predicted by routine coagulation tests. Thromboelastography (TEG) has recently been evaluated for assessing hemostatic patterns in haemophiliacs and proved valuable in monitoring therapy and/or prophylaxis, however, usually only in limited small case series. Exercise is an important component of overall haemophilia care, however, in severe haemophiliacs there is an increased risk of bleeding. The availability of a validated hemostatic test to evaluate the influence of exercise would be advantageous. This study has used TEG analysis to evaluate the global hemostatic status of a group of severe haemophilia A dogs at rest and after a standardized period of exercise. The study demonstrated significant inter and intra-individual variations based on TEG patterns at rest and following acute exercise as well as significant improvement of global hemostasis after exercise in the majority of tested dogs. The study supports the utilization of TEG in assessment of the hemostatic pattern in severe haemophilia A and provides a potential for utilizing TEG evaluation in managing exercise regimens for haemophilia care.