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Coagulation in Cirrhosis

Phase 4
Recruiting
Conditions
Liver Cirrhosis
Interventions
Drug: Platelet Concentrate
Other: Restricitve Use
Registration Number
NCT05667805
Lead Sponsor
Medical University of Vienna
Brief Summary

Out of fear of bleeding, liver cirrhosis patients are often treated prophylactically with blood and coagulation products before minor interventions. The COUCH study will examine whether these patients benefit from a restrictive administration of coagulation products.

Detailed Description

Patients with cirrhosis commonly have deranged coagulation parameters, in particular thrombocytopenia and/or an increased INR. However, these laboratory findings do not necessarily correlate with an increased tendency of bleeding. In fact, the reduced synthesis of both pro- and anticoagulant factors often equates to a new equilibrium in the coagulation system. Nevertheless, out of fear of bleeding, liver cirrhosis patients with deviated laboratory coagulation parameters are often aggressively treated with coagulation products (such as platelet concentrates and prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC)) before minor interventions and punctures. Since these products can also have procoagulant side effects, we will investigate whether patients with liver cirrhosis without a history of bleeding or clinical bleeding signs benefit from a restrictive substitution regime. The study will be carried out monocentrically at the General Hospital of Vienna, and will include 400 patients divided into two groups (liberal vs. restrictive substitution of thrombocytes and/or PCC) over an est. period of 4 years.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
400
Inclusion Criteria

Patients at the University Hospital of Vienna with diagnosed liver cirrhosis and deranged coagulation parameters (INR >1,5 AND/ OR platelet count <50 G/L) who are scheduled for one of the following elective invasive interventions of the liver

  • Biopsy or puncture
  • Microwave ablation (MWA) or radiofrequency ablation (RFA)
  • Transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS)
  • Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography drain (PTCD)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Missing informed consent or inability to consent
  • Age < 18 years
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Manifest ascites
  • Chronic kidney injury stage G4 or G5, KDIGO
  • Uninterrupted anticoagulant therapy, except for acetylsalicylic acid (ASA)
  • History of bleeding or clinical signs of a hemorrhagic diathesis in the physical examination (e.g., petechia, ecchymosis, mucosal bleeding, hemorrhagic diathesis within the family, menorrhagia, prolonged bleeding after surgery)

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Liberal substitution of human prothrombin complex and/or platelet concentratesPlatelet ConcentrateIf INR \< 1,5: 10 I.E. human prothrombin complex/kg bodyweigt/0,5 INR AND/OR If platelets \< 50 G/l: ((50 G/l - measured thrombocyte concentration G/l) x total blood volume) platelet concentrate
Restrictive substitution of human prothrombin complex and/or thrombocytesRestricitve UseNo substitution of blood products described in the Active Comparator group.
Liberal substitution of human prothrombin complex and/or platelet concentratesProthrombin Complex ConcentrateIf INR \< 1,5: 10 I.E. human prothrombin complex/kg bodyweigt/0,5 INR AND/OR If platelets \< 50 G/l: ((50 G/l - measured thrombocyte concentration G/l) x total blood volume) platelet concentrate
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Major Bleeding3 days

bleeding complication within 3 days after the intervention

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
bleeding complication28 days

bleeding complication within 28 days after the intervention

28 day overall mortality28 days
transfusion related complications28 days
28 day bleeding related mortality28 days
thromboembolic events28 days

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

General Hospital of the Medical University of Vienna

🇦🇹

Vienna, Austria

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