Alterations in Coagulation Factor Levels in Patients With End Stage Liver Disease

The goal of this observational study is to learn about the changes in coagulation factor VIII and IX levels in patients undergoing liver transplantation to help guide future management of coagulation factor replacement in patients with hemophilia and liver disease. The question we aim to answer is: should the recommendations for factor replacement in patients with hereditary bleeding disorders be altered in the setting of end stage liver cirrhosis? Participants will be asked to provide two blood samples, one at the beginning of their liver transplant, and one after their liver transplant.

Current guidelines for management of hemophilia B suggest replacement of factor IX to 100% prior to major abdominal surgery. However, in patients with concurrent liver cirrhosis where the liver does not produce Factor IX, is it worth considering adjusting the factor replacement strategy? We recently had a case of a patient with Hemophilia B and end-stage liver disease (ESLD) who underwent orthotopic liver transplantation and received the standard pre-operative recombinant factor IX replacement. His case was complicated by intra-cardiac thrombus and hypotension. We conduct a small study to assess the pre-operative thromboelastography (TEG) and factor levels in ESLD patient which we hope will help guide clinical decision making in future hemophilia B patients with cirrhosis.