Clot waveform analysis in hemophilia carriers

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in the activated partial thromboplastin time clot waveform analysis (APTT-CWA), which reflects clot formation. It was mainly studied in hemophilia and disseminated intravascular coagulation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of APTT-CWA in hemophilia carriers. This was a cross-sectional study including hemophilia carriers and healthy women volunteers. Bleeding assessment was performed using the ISTH-BAT. Laboratory assessment included APTT, APTT-CWA and FVIII:C or FIX:C. Thirty-two hemophilia carriers and 30 women as a control group were recruited. APTT was prolonged in 14 carriers and none of controls. Tmax 1 and Tmax 2 were significantly prolonged in hemophilia carriers compared to controls. Max 1 and Max 2 were significantly lower in carriers. Using ROC analysis, APTT-CWA parametrs cut-offs showed good sensitivity and specificity in discriminating between carriers and controls. When comparing bleeders and nonbleeders carriers, a significant difference was noted in Max 2, Min 2, Tmax 1 and Tmax 2. No correlation was found between APTT and bleeding score, nor between FVIII:C and Max 1. A positive significant correlation of FVIII:C with Max 2 was found. A negative and significant correlation of FVIII:C with Tmax 1, Tmax 2 and Min 2 was noticed. The APTT-CWA seems to be a good tool to evaluate bleeding tendency or detecting coagulation factor deficiency. Additional research efforts are warranted to explore the potential of APTT-CWA for identifying hemophilia carriers.