[Prevention of hepatic veno-occlusive disease by a combination of heparin and prostaglandin E1 in children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation]

Rinsho Ketsueki. 2004 Apr;45(4):297-303.
[Article in Japanese]

Abstract

The effect and safety of combination prophylaxis for hepatic veno-occlusive disease (VOD) following stem cell transplantation (SCT) was retrospectively evaluated in a total of 53 children who survived until day 30. Prophylaxis was started on the day before conditioning, and heparin (10 unit/kg/hr) alone was used in 6 patients, PGE1 (5 ng/kg/min) plus heparin plus PTX (200 mg/day) in 17 patients, lipo-PGE1 (0.5 ng/kg/min) plus heparin plus PTX in 7 patients, and lipo-PGE1 plus heparin in 23 patients. Diagnosis of VOD was made based on McDonald's criteria in 5 cases (9.4%), but not on Jones' criteria. No statistically significant difference was observed in the incidence of VOD among each prophylaxis group. The degree of VOD was mild in all of 5 cases, and all recovered with continuation of the prophylactic procedure. Each prophylactic procedure was performed without any significant adverse effect except for seizure induced by lipo-PGE1 in one patient with Lennox syndrome. Since both the incidence and fatality rate of VOD in children undergoing SCT are approximately 20% according to most of the previous reports, the present study suggests the effectiveness of combination prophylaxis.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Alprostadil / administration & dosage*
  • Child
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Heparin / administration & dosage*
  • Hepatic Veno-Occlusive Disease / prevention & control*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Postoperative Complications / prevention & control
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Heparin
  • Alprostadil