Summary
Treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is frequently complicated by venous
thromboembolism (VTE). The efficacy and optimal approach of VTE prevention are unclear,
particularly in adult patients. We assessed the effect of thromboprophylaxis on symptomatic
VTE incidence in cycle 1 of ALL treatment in adult patients. Secondly, we explored
potential etiologic factors for VTE and the clinical impact of VTE on ALL outcome.
We retrospectively assessed symptomatic VTE incidence and use of thromboprophylaxis
in 240 adults treated for newly diagnosed ALL in the Dutch-Belgian HOVON-37 multicentre
study (1999–2005). Potential etiologic factors were explored by analysis of patient
and disease characteristics, impact of VTE on ALL outcome by analysis of complete
remission and overall survival rates. Symptomatic VTE was observed in 24 of 240 patients
(10%). Thromboprophylaxis differed by centre (prophylactic fresh frozen plasma (FFP)
supplementation or no thromboprophylaxis) and was applied only during L-asparaginase
in cycle 1. VTE incidence was significantly lower with FFP supplementation than without
FFP (6% vs. 19%; adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.28; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10–0.73).
FFP did not influence antithrombin or fibrinogen plasma levels. Patients with VTE
in cycle 1 had a significantly poorer complete remission rate (adjusted OR 0.18; 95%
CI 0.07–0.50), particularly patients with cerebral venous thrombosis (adjusted OR
0.17; 95% CI 0.04–0.65). Our study suggests that prophylactic FFP supplementation
effectively reduces symptomatic VTE incidence during ALL treatment in adults. This
should be confirmed in a randomised controlled trial.
Keywords
Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - fresh frozen plasma - L-asparaginase - thromboprophylaxis
- venous thrombosis