Thrombotic complications during induction chemotherapy of acute childhood lymphoblastic leukemia

J Med Assoc Thai. 2002 Aug:85 Suppl 2:S549-57.

Abstract

The incidence of thrombosis during induction chemotherapy of acute childhood lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients was 6 found to be in 105 (5.7%). There were 4 cerebral infarctions, 1 superior vena cava (SVC) obstruction and 1 deep vein thrombosis. Among these, 2 of them died. A prospective study was further conducted of the change in coagulation and anticoagulation factors during 6 weeks of induction chemotherapy. It was found that the activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) was within normal range in all cases throughout 6 weeks, while prothrombin time (PT) and thrombin time (TT) were slightly prolonged, especially during the first 3 weeks of this phase. The natural anticoagulant panels which included protein C (PC), protein S (PS) and antithrombin III (AT III) and also fibrinogen level, were lower during the first 3 weeks and reached its nadir during the second and third week. The lower level of natural anticoagulants might be an important predisposing factor for the occurrence of thrombosis in these patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Age Distribution
  • Anticoagulants / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / adverse effects*
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / physiopathology
  • Blood Coagulation Tests
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Male
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / diagnosis
  • Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma / drug therapy*
  • Remission Induction
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Distribution
  • Thailand / epidemiology
  • Thrombosis / drug therapy
  • Thrombosis / epidemiology*
  • Thrombosis / etiology*

Substances

  • Anticoagulants