Management Practices for Asparaginase-associated Coagulopathy: A Survey of Pediatric Oncologists

Background: Coagulopathy and thrombosis are well-described complications of asparaginase therapy. However, treatment practices in pediatric hematology/oncology (PHO) patients vary widely as evidence-based guidelines for clinical management of these complications in this population are lacking. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess management practices of asparaginase-related coagulopathy by pediatric hematologist/oncologist attending physicians. Design/Method: Email survey sent to 2327 PHO physicians primarily practicing in the United States. Results: Two hundred 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 thirty (n = 130/285, 45.6%) physicians replace low fibrinogen. The median fibrinogen replacement was 100 mg/dL (range: 40 to 200 mg/dL) with the median target of at least 100 mg/dL (range: 50 to 200 mg/ dL). A minority of physicians (n = 39/250, 13.7%) replace low antithrombin. The median antithrombin cutoff activity level was 60% (range: 40% to 100%) with a median target of 75% (range: 40% to 125%). Conclusions: There is a significant variation in PHO physician practices for monitoring and management of asparaginase-associated hemostatic derangements. Evidence-based guidelines have the potential to standardize practices.