heparitin-sulfate and Leukemia--Myeloid--Acute

Four patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and clinical and laboratory manifestations of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) were treated during induction chemotherapy with Org 10172 (Organon International), a low molecular weight heparinoid preparation. Plasma anti-Xa levels were maintained between 0.60 and 0.80 U/ml and anticoagulant activities, determined with a diluted activated partial thromboplastin time assay, ranged from 0.00 to 0.20 U/ml. Bleeding symptoms ceased and fibrinogen levels improved in the first week in all patients. In the second week, two patients developed bleeding as a result of primary fibrinolysis. It is concluded that Org 10172 may be useful in the treatment of patients with DIC. In patients with APL, inhibition of DIC will be insufficient to control all bleeding, since primary fibrinolysis may also occur.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols; Chondroitin Sulfates; Cytarabine; Daunorubicin; Dermatan Sulfate; Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation; Drug Evaluation; Glycosaminoglycans; Heparinoids; Heparitin Sulfate; Humans; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute; Middle Aged; Thioguanine; Time Factors