Acquired hemophilia A

Abstract

Acquired hemophilia A (AHA) is a rare but potentially life threatening bleeding disorder caused by the development of auto antibodies against circulating factor VIII. Age distribution is bimodal with a first peak occurring among young women in postpartum period and a second major peak among elderly patients. Fifty percent of cases are idiopathic whereas the remaining 50% are associated with pregnancy, autoimmune conditions, malignancies and drugs. Unlike severe congenital hemophilia in which joint bleeds are more common, bleeding into skin (purpura) and soft tissue bleeds are more common in AHA. Diagnosis of acquired AHA should be considered in an elderly patient who presents with bleeding and an increased aPTT. Early diagnosis and prompt treatment are necessary in this life-threatening condition especially with a very high inhibitor titer for the better outcome of the patient. We report a case of an elderly male who presented with a very high titer of factor VIII inhibitors and was successfully treated