ATI Hematologic System Related

Review ATI Hematologic System related questions and content

A 13-year-old Hispanic girl is found to have a WBC count of 6,500/mm3 with 40% Auer rod–containing granular blasts that, by flow cytometry, express very bright CD33 but are negative for human leukocyte antigen–DR isotype (HLA-DR). She is oozing blood around her peripheral IV site. Coagulation studies reveal an international normalized ratio (INR) of 3.4, a fibrinogen of 170, and a markedly elevated D-dimer. Marrow aspirate shows nearly 90% blasts with a similar morphology. You send the marrow to the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) lab and request STAT testing for the most likely recurrent genetic abnormality based on the clinical presentation. How do you plan to initiate therapy?

  • A. Perform a lumbar puncture to determine leukemic involvement, then proceed with induction chemotherapy.
  • B. Begin therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) immediately while aggressively managing coagulopathy with blood product support.
  • C. Start dexamethasone and hydroxyurea immediately while aggressively managing coagulopathy with blood product support.
  • D. Start induction chemotherapy, obtain HLA typing, and start a donor search because of the poor prognosis associated with this leukemic phenotype.
Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Begin therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) immediately while aggressively managing coagulopathy with blood product support. In this scenario, the patient presents with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), characterized by the presence of Auer rod-containing blasts expressing CD33 and negative for HLA-DR. The presence of coagulopathy with elevated INR, D-dimer, and oozing blood suggests disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), a common complication in APL. Immediate treatment with ATRA is crucial to differentiate and mitigate the risk of DIC worsening. ATRA induces differentiation of APL blasts, resolving the coagulopathy. Aggressive management of coagulopathy with blood product support is essential to prevent bleeding complications. Lumbar puncture (choice A), dexamethasone and hydroxyurea (choice C), and starting a donor search (choice D) are not indicated as the