Clinical effects of tranexamic acid on bleeding tendency due to fibrinolytic activation of AL amyloidosis

BMJ Case Rep. 2023 Sep 26;16(9):e254483. doi: 10.1136/bcr-2022-254483.

Abstract

We report a case where tranexamic acid, which is an antifibrinolytic agent, was used to effectively treat bleeding tendency in a patient with immunoglobulin light chain (AL) amyloidosis. A male patient in his 80s without a history of bleeding disorders was admitted to our hospital for the examination of bleeding tendency and was diagnosed with a bleeding disorder due to AL amyloidosis. Blood tests revealed elevated plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex levels, suggesting fibrinolytic activation. Managing the bleeding was difficult; however, we suspected fibrinolytic activation associated with AL amyloidosis and initiated treatment with oral tranexamic acid, which markedly improved the bleeding disorder and abnormalities of the fibrinolytic system. Therefore, in cases of bleeding due to fibrinolytic activation of AL amyloidosis, tranexamic acid administration can be an effective treatment.

Keywords: Haematology (incl blood transfusion); Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance associated neuropathy; Palliative care.