Unfractionated Heparin Use in Children: Clinical Outcomes in a Pediatric Cohort Managed Using an Anti-Factor Xa Based Nomogram

Background: Given its short half-life and immediate, complete reversibility with protamine sulfate, unfractionated heparin (UFH) remains the anticoagulant of choice for critically-ill children. The American College of Chest Physicians recommends that a therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) range in children on treatment doses of UFH should reflect an anti-FXa level of 0.35-0.7 IU/mL. A previous study from our institution showed moderate correlation between APTT and anti-FXa, prompting an institution-wide change to an anti-FXa based nomogram. Per the new nomogram, APTT and anti-FXa levels were simultaneously collected at pre-specified time points, though dose titrations were made on anti-FXa levels alone. In this study, we present our 20-month experience using this nomogram.

Objectives: To assess the utility of anti-FXa based UFH dosing guidelines in children over a 20-month period (September 2015-May 2017).

Methods: Permission for this study was obtained from the Institutional Review Board. Data was abstracted for all pediatric patients (age<21 yrs.) receiving therapeutic dosing of UFH (≥18 u/kg/hr) at Nationwide Children's Hospital (NCH) over the study period. Patients receiving UFH for <24 hrs, patients with mechanical circuits (ECMO and ventricular assist devices), and patients receiving concomitant anti-platelet therapy were excluded. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and comparisons were made using non-parametric methods. Correlations were assessed using the Bland-Altman method for repeated measures.

Results: Over a 20-month period, 176 patients received UFH therapy at NCH. Of these, 95 patients met our pre-specified inclusion criteria. These 95 patients had 1102 simultaneous APTT and anti-FXa measurements performed. Baseline demographic information is described in Table 1. Mean duration of UFH therapy was 5.2 days (range: 1-45 days). Median UFH dose required to reach therapeutic anti-FXa goal was 22 units/kg/hr (range: 18-55 units/kg/hr), and was significantly higher in infants (<1yr of age) compared to older children (33.9 u/kg and 20 u/kg respectively; p<0.0001). Median time to achieve therapeutic anti-Xa was 10 hours (range: 2-96 hours), and was significantly shorter in patients who received a bolus (n=44) compared to those who did not (5 hrs and 12 hrs respectively; p=0.03). Five patients never achieved therapeutic anti-FXa levels. In patients with thrombo-embolism (n=75), 65 had end-of-therapy imaging (complete response: 36; partial or no response: 29). Time to achieve therapeutic anti-FXa was not predictive of radiological response (p=0.27). Moderate linear correlation between the APTT and anti-FXa (r = 0.74; 95% CI = 0.71-0.77) (Figure 1) was noted for the entire cohort. Eleven (10.6%) major and non-major bleeding events and 10 (10.5%) minor bleeding events were noted. When comparing coagulation parameters of patients with major and non-major bleeding to those with no-bleeding and minor bleeding age, indication for anticoagulation, peak anti-FXa, peak APTT, lowest platelet count and fibrinogen were not predictive of bleeding. Critically high APTT (>250 sec) was noted on 43 occasions in 21 unique patients and not associated with an increased risk of major and non-major bleeds (p=0.07).

Conclusions: UFH monitoring is challenging in children. Time to achieve therapeutic anticoagulation and bleeding risk in our cohort is consistent with previous publications. Contrary to previous publications, extreme elevation of APTT was not associated with increased bleeding risk.

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