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Pre-operative use of romiplostim in thrombocytopenic patients with chronic hepatitis C and liver cirrhosis
Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 08/09/2012
Clinical Article
Moussa MM et al. – Pre–operative romiplostim administration may represent a viable alternative to increase platelet counts to a level acceptable for elective surgical interventions in patients with chronic liver disease and severe thrombocytopenia secondary to hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection who are unresponsive to standard therapy.
Methods- Romiplostim was administered at 2 μg/kg Q1W for a maximum of one month with a target platelet count of 70×109/l as a prerequisite for planned surgeries.
- Bone marrow aspirate was collected at baseline and end of study, along with liver and kidney function assessments.
- A complete blood count was performed every third day throughout the study period.
- A rapid response to romiplostim therapy was observed, with 33/35 patients achieving platelet counts ≥70×109/l and thereby eligible for surgery.
- An initial mean platelet count of 31×109/l increased to a maximum peak range of 73-240×109/l, occurring between days 18-39.
- The reticulin bone marrow grade remained negative in all patients.
- Surgical interventions were associated with no post-operative bleeding or thrombotic complications.
