Assessing and Managing Bleeding Risk Pre-Surgery in Patients With MPNs

August 20 , 2024

Risk factors for bleeding and thrombosis among patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) who are scheduled for surgery are multifaceted and require consideration of individual patient characteristics, risk assessment, and perioperative management, according to results published in Cureus.

“Thrombosis, venous or arterial, is a major cause of mortality and morbidity in [essential thrombocythemia (ET)] and [polycythemia vera], while bleeding is more concerning in [myelofibrosis] and ET,” Mihaela Andreescu, MD, PhD, and colleagues wrote. “Surgical procedures also pose a significant risk for bleeding in MPNs, with a probability of 7.2% during surgery. Assessing bleeding and thrombosis risk in patients scheduled for surgery is crucial to optimize patient outcomes.”

Specific Risks for Bleeding and Thrombosis

Risk assessment tools included rational elastrometry (ROTEM), International Predictive Score for Thrombosis in ET (IPSET), and the dynamic international prognostic scoring system (DIPSS).

The researchers identified age (>60), history of thrombosis, and genetic mutations, particularly variants of JAK2V617F, as risk factors for thrombosis in patients with MPN. Risk factors for bleeding included leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, acquired von Willebrand syndrome, and history of bleeding.

“Individual patient factors must be considered to minimize severe bleeding and thrombotic complications in surgeries,” Dr. Andreescu and colleagues wrote. “Risk assessment and perioperative management are important aspects of improving the QOL and preventing complications in surgeries.”

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A Review About the Assessment of the Bleeding and Thrombosis Risk for Patients With Myeloproliferative Neoplasms Scheduled for Surgery

Mihaela Andreescu
Bogdan Andreescu

Published March 12, 2024

Abstract

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) present a unique challenge in surgical management due to their inherent predisposition to both bleeding and thrombosis. MPNs are a heterogenous group of acquired clonal conditions. The three classic MPNs are essential thrombocythemia (ET), myelofibrosis (PMF), and polycythemia vera (PV). All subtypes of MPN are associated with both thrombotic and bleeding complications. There are four risk categories for thrombosis in MPN patients: age, thrombosis history, and JAK-2 mutation. They are further classified as very low, low, intermediate, and high risk. The genetic landscape of MPN is fascinating and complex like all myeloid disorders. Bleeding risk can be assessed through leukocytosis, thrombocytosis, acquired von Willebrand syndrome (AVWS), and a previous history of bleeding in a patient. Risk assessment and perioperative management are important aspects of improving the quality of life and preventing complications in surgeries. Preoperative management includes a risk assessment of venous thromboembolism, use of appropriate pharmacological treatment, platelet count control, and correction and cardiovascular risk factors. This review summarizes the assessment of bleeding and thrombosis risk for patients with MPNs scheduled for surgery. Furthermore, this review discusses various tools that can be used to identify MPN patients at risk of thrombosis prior to surgery.

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