Prevalence of FXII-Deficiency and Its Relevance to Monitoring Anticoagulation in Adults Receiving Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation

Abstract

During extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) blood is exposed to artificial surfaces, resulting in contact activation of the intrinsic coagulation pathway initiated by coagulation factor XII (FXII). Little is known about the prevalence of acquired FXII-deficiency, especially during ECMO. The primary outcome was the prevalence of acquired FXII-deficiency (FXII activity <60%) during ECMO. Secondary outcomes included differences in hemorrhagic/thromboembolic complications, doses of unfractionated heparin administered, and time points of anticoagulation within target ranges between patients with and without FXII-deficiency. Of 193 adults receiving ECMO therapy between 2013 and 2021, FXII testing was performed in 64 (33%) patients. Of these, 89% (n= 57) had an acquired FXII-deficiency. Median complication-free intervals were not different between patients with and without acquired FXII-deficiency (bleeding: 28 days [6–145]vs.12 days [11–not available],p= 0.85; thromboembolism: 16 days [8–54]vs.13 days [3–15],p= 0.053). Patients with acquired FXII-deficiency received less heparin (16,554 IU/dayvs.25,839 IU/day;p= 0.009) and were less likely to be within aPTT-target ranges (23.1% [14.3%–36.4%]vs.37.8% [33.7%–58.3%],p= 0.005). Acquired FXII-deficiency is common during ECMO and may affect monitoring of anticoagulation. The impact of FXII-activity on complications needs to be determined in future studies.