title: Normalization of plasma factor X levels in amyloidosis after plasma exchange.
abstract: Some patients with systemic light chain amyloidosis develop bleeding complications that can be caused by vascular infiltration with amyloid or by alterations of the coagulation or fibrinolytic systems. Factor X deficiency is the most common cause of bleeding manifestations, although deficiencies of other clotting factors, a disruption in the conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin, and circulating heparin-like anticoagulants have also been reported. Deficiency of factor X is a well-recognized cause of bleeding manifestations in patients with light chain amyloidosis. This acquired disorder appears to be secondary to adsorption of factor X to the amyloid fibrils. Previous studies have shown that infusion of plasma into patients with acquired factor X deficiency and amyloidosis induces a transitory improvement of the coagulation tests. However, there is a rapid return to pretransfusion levels. In this manuscript we report the clinical application of plasma exchange in the management of a patient with systemic light chain amyloidosis with acquired factor X deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Division of Neoplastic Diseases, Jefferson Medical College, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
authors.forename: F V
authors.initials: FV
authors.lastname: Beardell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Varma
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Martinez
mesh_terms: D000686:Amyloidosis / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005171:Factor X Deficiency / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010951:Plasma Exchange; D011517:Prothrombin Time