Effectiveness, specificity and safety of intranasal 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin treatment of normal blood donors

A study of the absorption of 300 micrograms of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) given intranasally to normal blood donors was carried out to determine (a) the correlation between plasma levels of DDAVP and the percent rise of factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIII:C) and (b) the efficacy, specificity and safety of this treatment in increasing the recovery of factor VIII:C in donated blood. The maximum drug concentration was highly correlated to the maximum percent rise of VIII:C (r = 0.858, p less than 0.01). A differentiated effect of DDAVP on increases of VIII:C, VIII:Ag, vWF:Ag and vWF multimers was observed. A transient rise of fibrinopeptide A from 5 to 16 ng/ml, 30 min post-DDAVP, was not accompanied by changes in fibrinogen levels or generation of detectable factor Xa or thrombin. DDAVP had no effect on the factor XII-dependent pathway of plasminogen activation, or on the donor's vital signs and hematological parameters. Side effects were minor and of short duration. Intranasal DDAVP treatment of blood donors is considered to be a practical means of improving the recovery of VIII:C from normal donors.     

1-Deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin in the treatment of non-haemophilic patients with acquired factor VIII inhibitor

1-Deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) was administered to 3 patients with spontaneous factor VIII inhibitors. In 2 patients with baseline factor VIII levels above 1%, a marked increase of factor VIII activity after DDAVP infusion could be observed. No rise of factor VIII activity after DDAVP was seen in the 3rd patient with a baseline factor VIII level of less than 1%. Daily infusion of DDAVP resulted in a reduction of the efficacy, but the full effect could be retained when DDAVP was given at 48-hour intervals. The effect of DDAVP infusion on factor VIII levels in the 2 responding patients was superior to the treatment with 30 U/kg factor VIII concentrate and approximately equivalent to infusion of 45 U/kg factor VIII concentrate. DDAVP may be a useful and less expensive treatment for patients with acquired factor VIII inhibitors and a baseline factor VIII level of more than 1%.     

Factor VII and fibrinolytic response to deamino-8-D-argenine vasopressin in normal subjects and dissociate response in some patients with haemophilia and von Willebrand''s disease

S ummary Deamino-8- d -argenine vasopressin (DDAVP) was given by intravenous infusion to normal subjects, haemophiliacs and patients with von Willebrand's disease (vWd) and the factor VIII and plasminogen activator response was studied. In normal subjects and most patients with mild haemophilia and mild (intermediate) von Willebrand's disease there was an increase in plasminogen activator and all factor VIII related activities. In patients with mild vWd the prolonged bleeding time was shortened by DDAVP despite only a modest rise in factor VIII related Ristocetin cofactor activity (VIIIR:RiCoF). Sub-groups of patients have been characterized in whom atypical responses were observed. In two brothers with clinically severe haemophilia, but with 5–6 u/dl procoagulant factor VIII (VIIIC), there was an increase in VIIIC but no rise of the corresponding antigen, suggesting increased release of an antigenically abnormal poorly functioning molecule. A patient with intermediate vWd was studied in whom neither DDAVP, adrenaline infusion, nor venous occlusion resulted in an increase in either plasminogen activator or factor VIII related antigen (VIIIRAg), although there was a significant increase in VIIIC. In a further patient with severe vWd, DDAVP failed to elicit any plasminogen activator or VIII response. The results obtained from these two patients suggested that in some individuals the presumed endothelial cell abnormality in vWd may be more extensive than a defect in VIIIRAg synthesis. Sub-groups of patients have been identified for whom treatment with factor VIII concentrates would be more appropriate than DDAVP prior to minor surgery.     

Hyper-responsiveness to DDAVP for patients with type I von Willebrand's disease and normal intra-platelet von Willebrand factor

Desmopressin (DDAVP) has gained wide acceptance as the drug of first choice in the treatment or prevention of haemorrhages in the majority of patients with von Willebrand's disease (vWd). However, data concerning the clinical effectiveness of DDAVP refer generally to mild vWd, with factor VIII and vW factor levels usually above 20% of normal. In 14 patients with type I vWd characterized by very low plasma levels of factor VIII coagulant activity (VIII:C) and vWf, measured as ristocetin cofactor activity (lower than 20% and 3% of normal respectively), but with a normal intraplatelet content of vWf, a test infusion of DDAVP (0.4 microgram/kg) elicited a very marked increase of VIII:C and vWf and normalized the bleeding time. All these patients subsequently underwent tooth extraction after DDAVP infusion. The incidence of bleeding was remarkably low, with only two minor late bleeding episodes easily stopped by repeating DDAVP infusion. Compared to the cases of type I vWd with unknown intraplatelet vWf content reported in the literature, this subgroup of patients had a more marked, albeit short-lived, increment of VIII:C and vWf.     

The Release of Plasminogen Activator and Factor VIII after Injection of DDAVP in Healthy Volunteers and in Patients with von Willebrand's Disease

Increases in plasma concentrations of VIII:C, VIII:CAg, VIIIR:Ag and plasminogen activator (PA) were observed in 50 healthy volunteers given i.v. injections of DDAVP (desaminocys¹-8-D-arg-vasopressin). The PA activity reached its maximum immediately after the injection, VIII:C, VIII:CAg and VIIIR:Ag after 3040 min. However, a positive correlation was found when the PA and VIII:C responses in each of the normals were analysed. DDAVP was also administered to 3 patients with severe von Willebrand's disease. 2 of the patients displayed no changes in VIII:C, VIII:CAg, VIIIR:Ag or VIIIR:RCF and there was no increase in PA. The third patient responded with an increase in VIII:C and to a minor degree in VIII:CAg. This patient developed fibrinolytic activity, but in the lower normal range. In 3 other patients with mild von Willebrand's disease DDAVP caused increases in VIII:C, VIII:CAg, VIIIR:Ag and PA. We feel that the combined data may support the concept that one and the same target cell is involved in the DDAVP mediated release of factor VIII related activities and PA.     

Management of cesarean section under replacement therapy with factor VIII concentrates in a pregnant case with congenital combined deficiency of factor V and factor VIII

The congenital combined deficiency of Factor V and Factor VIII, a rare bleeding disorder, was identified in a 25-year-old woman. She was admitted to our hospital with a complaint of genital bleeding. Her prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time were prolonged. She had low levels of Factor V coagulant activity (F. V:C) 14%, and Factor VIII coagulant activity (F. VIII:C), 12%, and normal levels of von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag), ristocetin cofactor (Rcof) and Protein C antigen. Her Protein C inhibitor level was slightly low. Her Rcof, vWF:Ag and F. VIII:C were elevated following administration of 1-deamino-8-D-arginine-vasopressin (DDAVP), but her F. V:C remained unchanged. Four years later, her F. VIII:C rose to 70% during the course of her pregnancy, but her F. V:C value remained low. It was expected that the vaginal delivery would be possible at the termination of pregnancy. Premature rupture of the membranes and an anomaly of rotation appeared in the course of delivery, however, and cesarean section was accomplished without excess bleeding under replacement therapy with Factor VIII concentrates. These findings suggested that DDAVP and Factor VIII concentrates were useful for management of her delivery. However the mechanisms of the rise of plasma F. VIII:C during pregnancy in a case with congenital combined deficiency of Factor V and Factor VIII are unclear.     

Factor VIII concentrate prepared from DDAVP stimulated blood donor plasma.

Human fraction I-0 (AHF-Kabi) was prepared from plasma from blood donors who had received an i.v. injection of DDAVP (0.2 microgram per kg b.w.) and tranexamic acid (0.01 g per kg b.w.) 15 min before collection of the blood. The factor VIII preparation from such plasma contained twice as much VIII:C,VIIIR:Ag, and VIIIR:RFC as normal fraction I-0. Normal fraction I-0 and DDAVP fraction I-0 were given to 2 patients with severe haemophilia A. The in vivo response of the DDAVP fraction I-0 corresponded to the in vitro values. No differences in survival time were seen. Hence, it is possible to produce factor VIII concentrates with at least double the yield by increasing the factor VIII level in blood donors by i.v. injection of DDAVP.     

Multimeric composition of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor following administration of DDAVP: implications for pathophysiology and therapy of von Willebrand's disease subtypes

We have studied the modifications in the multimeric composition of plasma factor VIII/von Willebrand factor and the bleeding time response following administration of 1-Deamino-[8-D-arginine]-Vasopressin (DDAVP) to patients with different subtypes of von Willebrand's disease. In type I, all multimers were present in plasma in the resting state, though they were decreased in concentration. Administration of DDAVP resulted in an increased concentration of these forms as well as the appearance of larger forms than were previously present. There was concomitant correction of the bleeding time. In type IIA, large multimers were absent in the resting state, and although DDAVP induced an average threefold increase in the plasma concentration of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor, the larger multimers did not appear and the bleeding time, although shortened, was not corrected. In contrast, the larger multimers that were also absent from type IIB plasma in the resting state rapidly appeared following DDAVP administration. However, their appearance was transitory and the bleeding time, as in IIA patients, was shortened but not corrected. The characteristic multimeric composition of platelet factor VIII/von Willebrand factor in given subtypes predicted the alteration in plasma factor VIII/von Willebrand factor induced by DDAVP. These studies provide evidence that the different subtypes of von Willebrand's disease represent distinct abnormalities of factor VIII/von Willebrand factor. They also suggest that complete hemostatic correction following DDAVP can be routinely expected only in type I von Willebrand's disease, and only if factor VIII/von Willebrand factor can be raised to normal levels.     

Subcutaneous injection of desmopressin (DDAVP): evaluation of a new, more concentrated preparation

A more concentrated desmopressin (DDAVP) preparation (40 micrograms/ml), which required small injection volumes (less than 1 ml), was studied in a double-blind trial in 10 healthy volunteers, 12 patients with haemophilia A, and 8 patients with uraemic bleeding. DDAVP was administered by subcutaneous injection at a dose of 0.4 micrograms/kg body weight. In healthy subjects, peak levels of DDAVP ranging from 480 to 638 pg/ml were reached 1 h after the subcutaneous injection and DDAVP was eliminated with a mean half-life of 3.1 h. DDAVP produced a 2.5-fold (3.0-fold) increase of factor VIII:C (factor VIII:Ag) and a 1.9-fold (2.2-fold) increase of von Willebrand factor:Ag (ristocetin cofactor) over baseline levels. Additionally, a 2.1-fold increase of tissue-type plasminogen activator antigen was observed. Factor VIII and von Willebrand factor were rapidly eliminated with a half-life ranging from 1.3 to 5.7 h and from 1.1 to 11.4 h, respectively. In haemophilia A patients, DDAVP produced a 2.3-fold increase of factor VIII:C 1 h after the injection. DDAVP was given on 8 occasions for management of bleeding, and only in 1 patient did a wound haematoma (after herniotomia) occur. In 7 of the 8 patients with uraemia the bleeding time shortened, and in all patients an increase of platelet retention and a decrease of platelet count was observed (p less than 0.05). No serious local or systemic untoward side effects were observed.     

Factor VIII Concentrate Prepared from DDAVP Stimulated Blood Donor Plasma

Human fraction 1-0 (AHF-Kabi) was prepared from plasma from blood donors who had received an i.v. injection of DDAVP (0.2 μg per kg b.w.) and tranexamic acid (0.01 g per kg b.w.) 15 min before collection of the blood. The factor VIII preparation from such plasma contained twice as much VIII:C, VIIIR:Ag, and VIIIR:RFC as normal fraction 1-0. Normal fraction 1-0 and DDAVP fraction 1-0 were given to 2 patients with severe haemophilia A. The in vivo response of the DDAVP fraction 1-0 corresponded to the in vitro values. No differences in survival time were seen. Hence, it is possible to produce factor VIII concentrates with at least double the yield by increasing the factor VIII level in blood donors by i.v. injection of DDAVP.     

DDAVP in acquired hemophilia a: Case report and review of the literature

One patient with an acquired factor VIII inhibitor is reported in which an acute lower intestinal hemorrhage was successfully managed using Desmopressin (DDAVP). The patient initially had a factor VIII level of 10% with a inhibitor titer of 1.9 Bethesda units. Following administration of DDAVP the factor VIII level rose to 86% and there was a decrease in the number and volume of bloody stools. The inhibitor disappeared following treatment with corticosteroids, however the patient ultimately expired due to complications of ischemic colitis. This case and 21 previously reported cases of acquired hemophilia treated with DDAVP are reviewed. The data support a role for DDAVP in the treatment of non life threatening hemorrhage in patients with acquired hemophilia and low titer factor VIII inhibitors (<5 Bethesda units or factor VIII≧5%).     

Response of Factor VIII/von Willebrand Factor to DDAVP in Healthy Subjects and Patients with Haemophilia A and von Willebrand's Disease

S ummary . These studies were designed with the purpose of providing clinico-pharmacological information relevant to the use of DDAVP in the management of mild haemophilia and von Willebrand's disease (VWD). In healthy subjects, intravenous DDAVP produced its maximal response at a dose of 0.3 μg/kg. The extent of the increase in factor VIII coagulant activity (VIII:C) and factor VIII related antigen (VIIIR:Ag) induced by this dose was not significantly different from that observed with the same dose in haemophiliacs and VWD patients. In these, the bleeding time was not shortened. DDAVP given intranasally was followed by a two-fold increase of VIII:C. This route of administration might be adopted to provide an emergency aid in bleeding patients and to yield higher VIII:C levels in blood donors. In healthy subjects, the half-disappearance time of autologous VIII:C after increase induced by i.v. DDAVP is similar to that observed in patients with VWD treated in the same conditions, whereas the response appears to be more prolonged in haemophiliacs. This study shows that the consistency of the VIII:C response tends to decrease when repeated doses are given to healthy subjects. Repeatedly-treated haemophiliacs and VWD patients showed varied patterns, ranging from no change of the response to its early abolishment.     

Mild forms of von Willebrand disease: diagnosis and management

Diagnosis of mild forms of type 1 and 2 von Willebrand disease (VWD) may be difficult, especially when the levels of von Willebrand factor (VWF) activities measured as ristocetin cofactor are close to normal (30-60 U/dL) because the laboratory phenotype is highly heterogeneous and confounded by factors outside the VWF gene (eg, blood group) that may influence VWF levels. An array of tests is often required to characterize the VWD types of the disorder and establish the best treatment modality, but laboratory data should always be interpreted in the presence of personal and family bleeding history. The aim of treatment is to correct the dual defect of hemostasis (ie, abnormal coagulation expressed by low levels of factor VIII:C and abnormal platelet adhesion expressed by the prolonged bleeding time). Desmopressin (1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin; DDAVP) is the treatment of choice for the mild forms of type 1 and 2 VWD because it often corrects the factor VIII/VWF levels and the prolonged bleeding time in most patients, but no prospective studies on clinical effects of DDAVP are available. In type 1 and type 2 VWD unresponsive to DDAVP, plasma virally inactivated concentrates containing VWF and factor VIII are the mainstay of treatment.     

Accumulative Effect of DDAVP and Heparin in Increasing Plasma Factor VIII Levels1

Abstract. DDAVP (l-desaminocysteine-(8-D-arginine)-vasopressin) produces a marked increase in plasma factor VIII procoagulant (F VIII:C) levels. Previously, we have reported that blood collected into heparin rather than into CPD anticoagulant results in higher starting levels of plasma F VIII:C activity. We therefore wished to determine whether the effects of these two agents were accumulative and whether they would result in any difference in the relative molecular distribution of F VIII:C. Blood was collected into CPD or heparin immediately before and 15 min after an intravenous dose of 0.2 μg/kg body weight of DDAVP. Pre-stimulation factor VIII levels were approximately 36% higher in heparinized plasma than in CPD plasma. Following DDAVP stimulation, the final factor VIII activity was increased 3.9-fold when either of the anticoagulants was used, with the heparin sample maintaining a 37% increase over the CPD sample. Column chromatography on Sepharose CL-6B of pre- and post-DDAVP plasma samples collected into either heparin or CPD indicated that there was no change in the relative distribution of the high and low molecular weight forms of F VIII:C. The heparinized sample showed the typical distribution of approximately 60% F VIII:C at void volume (V_o) and 40% at 2.3 V_o, suggesting that DDAVP-stimulated increases of plasma F VIII:C are equally distributed between the carrier and non-carrier associated F VIII:C activities.     

Desmopressin-induced improvement in bleeding times in chronic renal failure patients correlates with platelet serotonin uptake and ATP release

Hemostatic defects resulting in life-threatening hemorrhagic episodes are a common occurrence in the chronic renal failure patient. Hemorrhagic tendencies correlate best with laboratory tests of bleeding times. The identification of a specific hemostatic defect and its role in bleeding dyscrasias has yet to be elucidated. Our studies demonstrate that factor VIII coagulant activity and factor VIII related antigen (vWF:Ag) are normal or greatly elevated in uremic renal failure patients with greatly prolonged bleeding times. The multimeric state of the von Willebrand factor is also normal in these patients. The bleeding times were normalized in all 15 patients, 90 minutes post-infusion with desmopressin (DDAVP). No significant changes in factor VIII/vWF associated properties, blood cell counts, or coagulation factors were observed post-DDAVP treatment. However, a significant increase in platelet serotonin uptake (p less than .025) and ATP release (p less than .025) was detected after DDAVP treatment. These results indicate that DDAVP acts on the platelet membrane. This is further substantiated by the ability of DDAVP to block vasopressin-induced platelet aggregation in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Perturbations in the movement and storage of serotonin and the release of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) in the platelets of uremic individuals are proposed to play a critical role in regulating bleeding times.     

The effect of 1-deamino 8 D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) in a nonhaemophilic patient with an acquired type II factor VIII inhibitor

DDAVP (1-deamino 8 D-arginine vasopressin) was administered on two occasions to a patient with an acquired factor VIII inhibitor. Because the patient's autoantibody was low titre (1.8 Bethesda units) and had type II kinetic properties, it was expected that endogenous factor VIII/VWF released by DDAVP would be inactivated at a slow enough rate to permit satisfactory haemostasis during dental procedures. In both instances there was a 7-9-fold increase in factor VIII above the baseline level (13 units/dl), and factor VIII activity remained above 35 units/dl for 5 h after the infusion. The inhibitor could not be detected in his plasma during this period and the activated PTT was shortened into the normal range. Our experience with this patient suggests that DDAVP has a role in the management of some patients with low titre autoantibodies that inactivate factor VIII.     

Prophylactic use of DDAVP in a patient with von Willebrand disease during labor: a case report and a review

A Case of delivery in a 23-year-old woman after a prophylactic infusion of DDAVP is described. She had a life-long history of easy bruising and frequent epistaxis, with the diagnosis of vWD being made when she was 14 years old. A hemostatic examination showed a prolonged bleeding time, a moderate reduction in the factor VIII level (VIII: C) and von Willebrand Factor Antigen (vWF: Ag), decreased platelet aggregation by ristocetin, and depletion of platelet retention. In April, 1988, in the 34th week of pregnancy, she was admitted to our clinic in order to avoid abnormal bleeding during labor. On admission, the level of factor VIII, ristocetin aggregation, and platelet retention were normal, but the bleeding time remained prolonged. The diagnosis of vWD type I was made on the normal multimeric structure. The DDAVP infusion test revealed a shortening of the bleeding time and an increase in the vWF: Ag. In the 41st week of pregnancy, labor was induced, accompanied by infusion of DDAVP, she gave birth to an infant without any abnormal bleeding. Since conventional treatments with human plasma derivatives may cause complicating viral infections, we propose the infusion of DDAVP is one of the treatments to prevent the abnormal bleeding of the patient with vWD during labor.     

Intranasal DDAVP: biological and clinical evaluation in mild factor VIII deficiency.

We report a study undertaken to test the biological effect of intranasal 1-deamino-8-D-arginine vasopressin (DDAVP) and its efficacy in the treatment of bleedings in patients with mild factor VIII deficiency. The biological study was carried out in 20 patients: an increase of factor VIII:C and von Willebrand factor antigen levels was observed after inhalation of DDAVP at average post/pre inhalation ratios of 2.80 and 1.72, respectively. No relevant alterations of fibrinolysis were noted. In fact, we only observed a simultaneous increase of tissue plasminogen activator and plasminogen activator inhibitor, without modification of D-dimer. In 10 cases intranasal DDAVP has been used in the prevention or in the treatment of bleeding complications: no bleedings were observed.     

Von Willebrand disease associated with familial thrombocytopenia and increased ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation

Two cases of von Willebrand disease (vWD) associated with familial thrombocytopenia were reported. The proband (daughter) and her father showed thrombocytopenia with large platelets and decreased von Willebrand factor activity (VIIIR:WF). Factor VIII procoagulant activity (VIII:C) and factor VIII-related antigen (VIIIR:AG) were normal, but both patients revealed an increased ristocetin-induced platelet aggregation and a qualitative abnormality of the factor VIII protein, which was characterized by fast electrophoretic mobility of VIIIR:AG and an abnormal elution of factor VIII-related activities on Sepharose 2B. DDAVP was hemostatically effective even in this thrombocytopenic patient undergoing a dental extraction.     

Effects of desmopressin acetate on platelet aggregation, von Willebrand factor, and blood loss after cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation

The effects of desmopressin acetate (DDAVP) on platelet aggregation and the von Willebrand factor antigen (vWF:Ag) were studied in 19 patients undergoing cardiac surgery with extracorporeal circulation. The patients represented one of five blocks in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled parallel group trial on the effects of DDAVP on postoperative bleeding after uncomplicated coronary artery bypass operations. After termination of extra-corporeal circulation, DDAVP (0.3 microgram/kg body wt) or its vehicle was infused into a peripheral vein throughout 15 minutes. The increase in factor VIII coagulant activity after infusion did not differ between the groups but there was a significantly larger increase in vWF:Ag levels in DDAVP-treated patients. The aggregatory response to adenosine-diphosphate (ADP) and ristocetin showed a normal pattern and was not significantly different between the two groups. As compared with placebo, DDAVP did not decrease the bleeding time or the postoperative blood loss. We conclude that DDAVP causes an increase in vWF:Ag levels but does not alter platelet aggregation, bleeding time, or blood loss in uncomplicated coronary artery bypass patients.