Early and Acute Complications and the Principles of HSCT Nursing Care

Abstract

Haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) generally includes preparative or conditioning regimens containing combinations of chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy and sometimes immunotherapy. These regimens, as well as other treatments before and after HSCT such as immunosuppressive drugs to prevent graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) (see Chap. 11), may affect the patient’s organs and tissues and cause both early and long-term complications. In the evolving field of stem cell therapies, some complications that traditionally have been regarded as early complications are now, due to changes in preparative regimens and choice of stem cell source, sometimes seen later in the post-transplant outpatient setting. The complications covered in this chapter generally occur within 100 days post-HSCT and are thus classified as early complications. Two of the most common early complications are oral complications/mucositis and sepsis. Some other relatively rare complications are also covered here: haemorrhagic cystitis (HC), endothelial damage syndromes including engraftment syndrome (ES), idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS), diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH), thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD). For all complications, recommendations for prevention and principles for nursing care are presented since careful nursing monitoring and prompt intervention and care may have an impact on patients’ morbidity and mortality.

10.1 Oral Care in Transplantation

10.1.1 Introduction

Mindful of the progressive developments within the field of stem cell transplantation, aimed at improving survival and quality of life for individuals, the correct and consistent approach to managing oral care problems still remains a challenge in many transplant settings (Quinn et al. 2021). There is much evidence to show that rather than taking a proactive approach to this aspect of care, many transplant teams simply react to oral complications once they occur with a sometimes inconsistent and anecdotal approach (Quinn et al. 2019). Oral problems and damage may be temporary or permanent resulting in a significant health burden for the individual while making substantial demands on limited healthcare resources. However, oral complications are not always inevitable, and much can be done to reduce or minimise the severity of symptoms by taking a more proactive approach to this aspect of care (Hannen et al. 2017). Working as a multidisciplinary team with the patient at the centre of care and treatment plan and early detection of potential and actual problems and treatment can help reduce oral problems and prevent interruptions to treatment while maximising patient safety and comfort (National Cancer Institute 2013).

10.1.2 Oral Mucositis (OM)

Oral mucositis (OM) has been defined by Al-Dasoogi et al. (2013) and others as the inflammation of the mucosal membrane, characterised by ulceration, which may result in pain, swallowing difficulties and impairment of the ability to talk. The mucosal injury caused by OM provides an opportunity for infection to flourish, in particular putting the severely immunocompromised patient in the HSCT setting at risk of sepsis and septicaemia (Quinn et al. 2020). However, OM is not the only oral complication seen within the transplant setting (Table 10.1), and most patients undergoing autologous and allogeneic HSCT will experience changes within their oral cavity (Quinn et al. 2016, 2021). With the increasing use of targeted drug therapies and approaches in the cancer and haematology setting, problems in the oral cavity will increase and become even more of a challenge (Quinn et al. 2020; ESMO 2017).

Table 10.1 Oral complications of HSCT

Oral complications of HSCT (Table 10.1) lead to difficulties in eating, sleeping and talking and a reduction in quality of life.

10.1.3 Key Principles of Treatment

All treatment strategies aimed at improving oral care continue to be dependent on four key principles: accurate assessment of the oral cavity, individualised plan of care, initiating timely preventative measures and correct treatment (Quinn et al. 2020). The assessment process should begin prior to commencing treatment by identifying all the patient risks most likely to increase oral damage (Table 10.2). Each patient needs to be assessed in relation to the risk factors that may put them at higher risk of oral complications during treatment.

Table 10.2 Risk factors for oral damage

Patients about to commence any haematology treatment should undergo dental assessment by a specialist (Elad et al. 2015). This is to establish general oral health status and identify and manage existing and/or potential source of infection, trauma or injury. Where possible, any identified dental problems should be corrected before starting treatment regimen. A further baseline assessment of the oral mucosa should be taken as close to the administration of the first treatment dose as possible (Table 10.3). The oral cavity should be assessed by trained healthcare professionals using a recognised grading system to ensure accurate monitoring and record keeping. The tool chosen should contain both objective and subjective elements. The assessment should include changes to the oral mucosa, the presence or absence of pain and the patient’s nutritional status (Quinn et al. 2019). Assessments should be completed daily during the HSCT process and at regular intervals post-treatment to monitor for complications. Some patients will need regular dental follow-up following treatment. Patients can be encouraged to assess their own mouth using a patient-reported tool and to report any changes they notice or experience to the transplant team (Gussgard et al. 2014).

Table 10.3 Baseline oral assessment criteria

10.1.4 Care of the Oral Cavity

Care of the oral cavity is central to helping to prevent and/or reduce oral complications during and after treatment (British Dental Health Foundation 2021). The oral care team in the HSCT setting includes dental professionals, dietician, nurse, doctor and pharmacist. The support provided by the team along with good communication and the patient at the centre of all care plans is central to maintaining patient’s oral health. All patients should be provided with clear instructions and encouraged to maintain good oral hygiene. Education should also include potential oral complications to enable patients to identify and report these early (British Dental Health Foundation 2021; Quinn et al. 2019). All patients should receive written information, as well as verbal instruction, about oral care as part of the prevention and treatment of oral changes.

Good nutrition is vital in helping fight infection, maintain mucosal integrity, enhance mucosal tissue repair and reduce exacerbation of existing mucositis. Issues that may affect nutrition such as loss of appetite, taste changes and dysphagia should be addressed. There are certain foods that can damage the oral mucosa; this may include rough, sharp and hard foods and should be avoided. Spicy, very salty and acidic foods may cause mucosal irritation but may be preferred or tolerated by some patients.

Brushing of teeth, gums and tongue should be performed two to four times a day preferably after meals and before going to bed (British Dental Health Foundation 2021; Peterson et al. 2015). A soft-bristled toothbrush (manual or electric) is recommended to prevent injury to the oral mucosa and must be rinsed thoroughly with water after each use. If the mouth is painful or patients cannot open their mouths fully, soft oral sponges may be used but with caution. To prevent infections, the toothbrush should be stored with the brush head upwards and not soaked in disinfectant solution. These should also be monitored for evidence of fungal/bacterial colonisation. In order to protect the enamel, nonabrasive toothpaste containing high-dose fluoride should be used (Quinn et al. 2021).

Daily interdental cleaning with brushes may reduce plaque formation between the teeth (Sambunjak et al. 2011). However, the use of interdental cleaners should be used with caution for patients with thrombocytopenia or clotting disorders. After each meal, dentures must be rinsed. Thorough cleaning by brushing with soap and water should be performed at least twice a day. Dentures should be cleaned, dried and stored in a closed container overnight (Duyck et al. 2013).

The goal of using mouthwashes may include oral hygiene, preventing/treating infection, moistening the oral cavity or providing pain relief. As a minimum to keep the mouth clean, bland gargles and rinses with water normal saline (0.9% NaCl) or saltwater are recommended at least four times a day (Lalla et al. 2014; Quinn et al. 2019). Some patients will require assistance; it may be necessary for healthcare professionals to perform/support oral care through rinsing with normal saline (0.9% NaCl) (Elad et al. 2015), with or without suction.

Lubricants, lip balm or lip cream may be used to moisten the lips. Patients should maintain adequate hydration and drink water frequently to keep the mouth moist. Several factors could contribute to dryness such as oxygen therapy and supportive care medications (e.g. antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives and opioids). To keep the oral mucosa moist, regular sipping or spraying water may help. Use of saline sprays and mouthwashes as well as use of saliva substitutes may be used. There is anecdotal evidence that fresh pineapple chunks may also help stimulate saliva but should be used with caution as their acidity could irritate the oral mucosa and affect the teeth (Lalla et al. 2014).

10.1.5 Prevention of Oral Damage

The choice of prevention regimens should follow evidence-based interventions and expert opinion, working with the individual patient and the potential risk of oral damage, which may include the following (adapted Quinn et al. 2020):

• Educate patient, and encourage self-reporting of any oral changes.

• At least twice-daily oral hygiene including gargling to remove any unwanted debris.

• Interdental cleaning.

• High-dose fluoride toothpaste/foam/gel/tray.

• 0.9% sodium chloride/saltwater rinse.

• Early nutritional support.

• Cryotherapy/sucking ice chips during melphalan infusion.

• Consider oral rinses (Caphosol^®, Benzydamine^®).

• Consider mucosal protectants/barrier rinses licenced to use as a preventative measure/pain reliever (Mugard^®, Episil^®).

• Anti-infective prophylaxis.

• Palifermin.

• Low-level laser therapy.

10.1.6 Anti-infective Prophylaxis

While good oral hygiene is fundamental, antifungal and antiviral treatments will be prescribed to reduce infections in patients in the haematology and transplant setting. Patients should receive an antifungal agent given orally or intravenously. Antiviral prophylaxis should also be given. The choice of drug will be dependent on local policies/guidance.

10.1.7 Treatment of Oral Complications

All treatment plans should be based upon the grading of oral damage and patient reports; these may include the following.

10.1.7.1 Mild/Moderate Mucositis

Once oral damage develops, patients should be supported to continue oral care, and the frequency of oral rinsing may be increased. The aim is to keep the oral surfaces clean and moist (Elad et al. 2014). The team should consider mucosal protectants to prevent further damage and to provide comfort to the oral cavity (Quinn et al. 2019).

The team should check for oral infections, swab the suspected area and treat appropriately. A review of antifungal treatment, local or systemic, may be required (ESMO 2017; Watson et al. 2011).

Dietary requirements should be assessed and foods causing discomfort avoided. Swallowing problems, malnutrition and weight loss should be monitored and patients given support/advice. Adjustments to food consistency, methods of intake, food fortification and methods of intake should be assessed and support and education offered to patients. The use of supplement drinks, PEG, RIG or nasogastric feeding should be considered (Quinn et al. 2019). The patient’s fluid intake should be assessed and the route of administration of pain relief continually monitored.

Each patient will need adequate pain medication including topical and systemic analgesia such as paracetamol, codeine, morphine rinses, benzydamine mouthwash, trimecaine and lidocaine. Patients should be offered education on use and possible side effects including numbness of the oral mucosa.

10.1.7.2 Severe Mucositis

An increase in pain medication and nutritional support should be considered. The team working with the patient may wish to consider an increase in oral rinses and oral care. When oral damage appears and progresses, closer monitoring and support for patient is required.

An important aspect of care is to provide oral comfort, thereby helping the patient continue food and fluid intake, and enable sleep and rest.

For oral complications, the use of topical analgesics can be intensified. While there is insufficient evidence that many products reduce the severity of oral damage, many products can provide comfort to the patient. The clinical team institutions can offer a range of mouthwashes selecting the most appropriate for the clinical situation and the patients trying out which one works best for them. The use of oral rinses, topical gels or films can be individually considered. Any with sufficient safety and positive experiences can be used: Caphosol^®, Mugard^®, Oralife^®, Gelclair^® and Episil® are just a few of the products available on the market. It is generally accepted that topical antibacterial substances are not recommended.

For systemic pain medication, it is useful to follow a step-by-step increase, with the aim of the patient becoming pain-free within 24 h. It can be helpful to monitor the efficacy of pain medication with pain assessment tools (Watson et al. 2011). Institutions should follow a standardised pattern of pain medication following recommendations where applicable. In severe mucositis, the use of opiates with the optimal application route should be considered. The best route of application depends on the individual and setting factors and may be oral, subcutaneous, intravenous or transdermal with patches. Patients may require a combination of slow-release and fast-acting drugs. Patient-controlled analgesia should be considered. Careful monitoring should include pain relief and any potential side effects, and including family members may prove helpful to obtain a wider view of how well the patient copes outside the treatment unit (Quinn et al. 2021; Watson et al. 2011).

10.1.8 Treatment of Specific Oral Complications

10.1.8.1 Bleeding from OM

Continue mouth gargling. Tranexamic acid has been widely used in oral surgery, and gargling/swishing with tranexamic acid (500 mg) as a mouthwash may be worth considering (Quinn et al. 2020; Watson et al. 2011).

10.1.8.2 Xerostomia (Dry Mouth)

As this may be due to or increased by concurrent mediation, a review of the patient’s medications is needed and if possible adjustments made. Patients should be encouraged to increase sipping of fluids. Artificial saliva, viscous solutions and gels to protect and moisten the mucosa should be considered; patients should be counselled on correct application. In chronic radiotherapy-related xerostomia, pilocarpine may be used.

10.1.8.3 Aphthous Lesions

The presence of aphthous lesions arising from some of the more recent targeted treatments may be seen. These may first appear similar to ulcers but are recognisable due to the presence of a “hallow”-like presentation. These lesions should not be treated like ulceration and may require the topical use of a dexamethasone gel (Hannen et al. 2017).

10.1.8.4 Trismus (Spasm of the Jaw Muscles)

This is a side effect seen during and post-high-dose radiotherapy. Patients should be given helpful exercises, and the team may consider mechanical devices to help alleviate the problem.

10.1.8.5 Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GvHD)

Oral damage may be a hallmark of graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) in patients following allogeneic stem cell transplantation, and the presence of lichenoid hyperkeratotic plaques (diagnostic sign), gingivitis, mucositis, erythema, pain, xerostomia and ulcers may indicate GvHD. Shorrer et al. (2014) suggest that solutions of dexamethasone or other steroids are used as first-line treatment; second line may include solutions of steroids in combination with other immunosuppressant drugs.

10.1.9 Post-treatment Care and Follow-Up

Oral damage in the haematology and HSCT will require several weeks/months and, in some cases, years to heal, and patients need continuing support and care during this period. Advice and support by suitably qualified health professional should continue during this period. Support to manage side effects including pain and the gradual reduction of analgesia is extremely important. Chronic side effects may include dental decay, trismus, fibrosis, lymphedema, chronic xerostomia and chronic pain and will require careful management and requires the haematology and dental teams to work more closely together (Quinn et al. 2021). All patients should be individually assessed and appropriate care and treatment given. Follow-up care should be planned and supervised to address longer-term and late complications.

10.1.10 Conclusion

The principles presented here are intended as a support and in no way should replace clinical decision-making related to the particular patient and clinical situation. Depending on the severity of oral complications and the impact on the patient, the team will need to review the plan of care.

10.2 Sepsis and Principles of Care

10.2.1 Introduction

The increased risk of infections in patients undergoing haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is well known, and infection is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality. HSCT patients are particularly at risk, especially during the neutropenic period following the conditioning treatment. In HSCT patients, signs and symptoms of sepsis may be subtle and difficult to recognise due to neutropenia or other complications of the transplant procedure. Preventive measures should be applied, but vigilance and close monitoring of the patient, strong team collaboration and immediate action will allow for prompt and appropriate management of septic patients.

10.2.2 Definition of Sepsis

There are multiple definitions and clinical criteria for sepsis. The terms below are all terms for severe infection where bacteria may or may not be identified in blood cultures.

• Sepsis

• Severe sepsis

• Septicaemia

• Septic syndrome

• Septic shock

According to the Third International Consensus Definitions for Sepsis and Septic Shock (Sepsis-3) (Singer et al. 2016), sepsis is defined as:

Life-threatening organ dysfunction due to a dysregulated host response to infection. Septic shock is defined as a subset of sepsis in which particularly profound circulatory, cellular, and metabolic abnormalities substantially increase mortality.

Advances in the pathophysiology, management and epidemiology of sepsis have supported a greater understanding of the phenomenon.

10.2.3 Clinical Criteria for Sepsis

Suspected or documented infection and an acute increase of ⩾2 SOFA points.

SOFA (sequential organ failure assessment) uses eight criteria to describe severity of organ dysfunction and failure. However, Singer et al. (2016) considered that positive qSOFA (quick SOFA) criteria should also prompt consideration of possible infection in patients not previously recognised as infected.

qSOFA ctiteria:

• Altered mental status (GCSscore <15)

• Systolic blood pressure <100 mmHg

• Respiratory rate >22 breaths per min

Septic shock can be identified with a clinical construct of sepsis with persisting hypotension, requiring vasopressor therapy to elevate MAP ⩾65 mmHg (mean arterial pressure) and lactate >2 mmol L despite adequate fluid resuscitation.

The consequence of inflammatory response and evolution of sepsis is called the sepsis cascade and is illustrated in Fig. 10.1. The sepsis cascade starts with an inflammatory response that will cause microvascular injury, vasodilation and tissue hypoxia. The microvascular injury leads to capillary leak resulting in oedema; decreased urinary output; tachycardia, with an initially bounding pulse which will then become weaker; and an increased respiratory rate. Hypotension is another symptom caused by both microvascular injury and vasodilation. The vasodilation will also cause decreased renal blood flow. Hypovolemia subsequently causes poor tissue perfusion, triggering tissue hypoxia with anaerobic metabolism. In this process, oxygen and lactate are released for metabolism, thus causing metabolic acidosis E-learning package Sepsis and Sepsis Six (http://sonet.nottingham.ac.uk/)

Fig. 10.1

E-learning package Sepsis and Sepsis Six 2017 (http://www.sonet.nottingham.ac.uk/)

10.2.4 Risk Factors

In the early phase of HSCT, i.e. the first 100 days, the main risk factors for infections are (Rovira et al. 2012):

• Neutropenia

• Barrier breakdown

• Depressed T- and B-cell function

• Prescence of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD)

10.2.4.1 Neutropenia

A longer period of neutropenia can often be expected following allogeneic than after autologous transplant. The stem cell source also affects the length of the neutropenic period where peripheral blood (PBSC) has an expected neutropenic phase of about 2 weeks, bone marrow (BM) 3 weeks and cord blood (CB) 4 weeks.

Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) treatment will cause a longer neutropenic phase than reduced intensity conditioning (RIC).

10.2.4.2 Barrier Breakdown

Any skin or mucosal barrier breakdown will increase the infection risk, and mucositis occurs in almost all transplant patients. Skin breakdown can be caused by, e.g. drugs and aGvHD. Indwelling catheters such as peripheral cannulas, central lines, urinary catheters and pyelostomy catheters are a potential port of entry for microorganisms into the bloodstream.

10.2.4.3 Immunocompromised and Supressed T- and B-Cell Function

Allogeneic transplant is followed by long-lasting immunodeficiency. Conditioning therapy may include T-cell depleting agents, and even non-myeloablative regimens cause lymphodepletion with prolonged periods of immune incompetence. Donor type and degree of histocompatibility (human leukocyte antigen (HLA) match) are other factors that influence the time to immune reconstitution. Immunosuppression for GvHD prophylaxis is necessary in allogeneic HSCT and will delay immune reconstitution (Toubert 2012). Equally, autologous recipients can be rendered immunocompromised by their disease or the treatment they received for it prior to their transplant.

10.2.4.4 Presence of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease (aGvHD)

Need for immunosuppressive GvHD prophylaxis or treatment will increase the risk for infections. Mucosal or skin barrier breakdown due to GvH can further increase the risk.

10.2.4.5 Poor General Status

If the patient is not in remission at HSCT, physically frail or malnourished, there is a greater risk for infection and sepsis. Comorbidities, such as diabetes and renal failure, are other risk factors.

10.2.5 Strategies for Infection and Sepsis Prevention

Nurses play a pivotal role in the prevention and control of infections. The following basic IPC measures should be adopted by all patient contacts:

• Hand hygiene

• Respiratory and cough hygiene

• PPE

• Safe management of care equipment

• Safe management of the environment

• Management of laundry

• Management of blood and body fluid spills

• Waste management

• Management of exposure

National guidance is produced by individual countries, but the basic principles remain the same. Hand hygiene is possibly the single most important action to prevent infections acquired by exogenous organisms (pathogens entering a patient’s body from their environment). Hand hygiene is a way of cleaning hands that reduces potential pathogens on the hands. To be successful, hand hygiene needs to be performed at the right time, with the right product, using the right technique, making it easy to perform.

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes “moments” for workers to practice hand hygiene:

• Before touching a person

• Before a clean or aseptic procedure (where applicable)

• After exposure to blood or body fluid

• After touching a person or significant contact with their surroundings

There are other situations where hand hygiene should be performed including:

• After removal of PPE

• After using the toilet

• Between different care activities with the same person (such as feeding them, assisting them with washing)

• After cleaning or handling waste

• Before and after handling food

(Source accessed 09/10/2022 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/infection-prevention-and-control-in-adult-social-care-settings/infection-prevention-and-control-resource-for-adult-social-care.)

Clinical staff should wear a uniform that is clean and short sleeved. Protective isolation during the neutropenic phase is recommended, and the patient should not be in contact with any staff or visitors with symptoms of infection.

For prevention of endogenous infections (patient is exposed to their own microbial flora), oral hygiene and skin care to maintain the mucosal and skin barrier and use of prophylactic antibiotics are the most important actions. Correct handling of any indwelling catheters is a key nursing responsibility in infection control.

Other areas where infections can be prevented are air and water quality, food hygiene and environmental cleaning including medical equipment. For more detailed guidance on infection control, see Chap. 7.

Routine surveillance screening for infection by bacterial and/or fungal cultures, i.e. blood, urine, faeces, swabs from nasopharynx and central line insertion site and serum galactomannan blood test, may allow for earlier identification and implementation of therapy, although the benefit of such routines can be discussed (Nesher et al. 2014; Mikulska 2019). Regular monitoring of blood tests such as full blood count, electrolytes, urea and/or creatinine and C-reactive protein (CRP) may assist in detecting any changes that could indicate infection.

Prophylactic antibiotics, e.g. fluoroquinolones, and antifungal and antiviral medication will be used in most HSCT patients, at least during the neutropenic phase (Martino 2019).

10.2.6 Diagnosis and Management

Early recognition and treatment are vital for a successful outcome of sepsis. Temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respirations and saturation (vital signs) should be frequently monitored. Signs of infection are not always obvious, but if the patient has a temperature ≥ 38.0 °C, cultures should be taken, IV antibiotics and IV fluids started or increased and oxygen therapy initiated. The goal is always to start antibiotic treatment within 1 h from detection of fever (Swedish “Pro Sepsis” Programme Group Sepsis 2015). This is sometimes referred to as “the golden hour” (or “door-to-needle time” for patients admitted from outside the hospital) and is the most critical period in the patient’s survival from sepsis.

Recognising sepsis can be a challenge in HSCT patients during the immediate post-transplant period where often a plethora of symptoms are present, but also after discharge, in the outpatient setting, since some symptoms are rather unspecific. Other than fever, chills or rigour, feeling unwell or different (without clear explanation), changes in behaviour or mental changes, feeling faint or changes in skin tone can indicate sepsis. An increased respiratory rate can be seen even if saturation is normal. An increased pulse and lowered blood pressure may be noted. Some patients may not develop fever, and hypothermia, i.e. <36 °C, can also be a sign of sepsis. If an outpatient with symptoms that could be sepsis-related reports a normal body temperature, it should be checked again in the clinic with a reliable thermometer and correct method. Diarrhoea and vomiting are frequently seen in sepsis but can easily be mistaken for gastroenteritis, mucositis or acute graft-versus-host disease (aGvHD). Diffuse or local pain, e.g. in the abdomen, is common. Falls are often secondary to sepsis particularly in elderly patients. Any of these indices need prompt and thorough assessment.

The concept of the Sepsis Six has been developed as a guide to prioritise interventions and offer a resuscitation bundle in patients where sepsis is suspected (Daniels et al. 2011).

• 1. Oxygen therapy

• 2. Blood cultures

• 3. IV antibiotics

• 4. Fluid resuscitation

• 5. Serum lactate

• 6. Assess urine output (may require catheterisation)

When sepsis is suspected, all cultures should be taken prior to commencing antimicrobials, if possible (Rhodes et al. 2017). Cultures should be taken from central lines, wounds, nasopharynx, urine and faeces. It is also sensible to consider peripheral IV cannula as a possible source of infection. Despite conventional practice to collect blood cultures at a fever spike in order to increase the chances of detecting bacteraemia, there is so far no data to support this principle (Kee et al. 2016). Testing could include polymerase chain reaction (PCR) virology (e.g. for cytomegalovirus (CMV) or Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)) and screening for fungus (e.g. oral swab), depending on symptoms and suspected microbial agent. For the procedures for diagnosis of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), please see Chap. 4. Laboratory tests should be taken to monitor electrolyte status, organ function, blood count and signs of infection.

A site of infection may not always be identified. If a source of infection is confirmed, or strongly suspected, applicable actions should be taken, e.g. wound care or removal of peripheral IV needle with signs of thrombophlebitis (Schorr et al. 2014).

Upon initiation of antimicrobial treatment, a broad-spectrum antibiotic is usually used. Depending on the results of the cultures performed, the chosen drug may need to be changed later.

Fever and infection will affect the blood count and frequently cause platelet consumption; hence, increased transfusions may be necessary.

10.2.7 Nursing Considerations and Care

Early recognition and intervention are achieved by frequent monitoring of the patient’s vital signs and general condition and paying attention to subtle changes that should be promptly reported.

As described above, immediate action is required at the first indication of sepsis. When treatment has been initiated, the patient must be continually monitored to determine the effect of treatment or worsening of the condition. This includes vital signs, fluid balance including weight and assessment of identified and/or potential infection sites (mouth, skin, any indwelling or tunnelled catheter, urine, stools, etc.), mental status, signs of bleeding, pain and general appearance and well-being. Implementation of early warning scoring tools offer a standardised approach to escalation of medically unwell patients including those with sepsis (Royal College of Physicians 2019).

Antibiotics should be delivered with strict adherence to the prescribed time schedule. Antipyretics should be avoided since they may mask fever but may, under certain circumstances, be used to alleviate patient discomfort and pain.

Laboratory tests results will guide the need for electrolyte replacement and blood product transfusion that may be ordered prophylactically or in case of bleeding. Cultures may need to be repeated to confirm infection and/or response to treatment. Oxygen should be administered as needed to ensure adequate saturation (i.e. ≥94%, or 88–92% for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)) (Royal College of Physicians 2019). If the patient’s condition worsens and organ support such as assisted ventilation or haemodialysis is required, the patient may need to be prepared for transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Extra-psychological support is important for both the patient and family. Educating the patient and the carer about the condition and actions taken or planned will prevent unnecessary worrying and enable them to alert the staff about symptoms or changes. Information and education may also facilitate mental preparedness if the condition worsens, and a higher level of care, ICU, is needed.

Patients with sepsis are likely to need additional nursing care such as assistance with oral care and personal hygiene. It is important to ensure that the patient’s and caregivers’ information, education and support needs are met. On discharge from the hospital, we need to ensure that the patient and their caregiver are aware of when, why and how to contact the clinic or hospital that they have a fever thermometer at home, know when to take their temperature and are aware of the level that constitutes a fever.

10.3 Haemorrhagic Cystitis

10.3.1 Introduction

Haemorrhagic cystitis (HC) is sometimes seen in HSCT patients and can on its own or by subsequent complications cause significant morbidity and even death.

10.3.2 Definition

According to NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms, it is defined as:

A condition in which the lining of the bladder becomes inflamed and starts to bleed. The blood can be seen in the urine. Symptoms include pain and a burning feeling while urinating, feeling a need to urinate often, and being unable to control the flow of urine. Haemorrhagic cystitis may be caused by anticancer drugs, radiation therapy, infection, or being exposed to chemicals, such as dyes or insecticides. (NCI Dictionary of Cancer Terms 2022)

Haematuria can be symptomatic or asymptomatic. It can be described as microscopic (not visible to the eye but detected on a dipstick and in the microscope) or macroscopic (red urine or visible blood or clots) (Table 10.4). Normally, about one million erythrocytes are excreted daily in the urine. This is equal to one to three erythrocytes per high-power field (magnification ×400) under the microscope. Haematuria is defined as abnormal presence of blood in the urine, i.e. more than three erythrocytes per high-power field in the microscope. To be confirmed as microscopic haematuria, two positive samples on consecutive days are needed. The haematuria can be visually detected (macroscopic) as red urine at levels as low as 1 mL blood per litre urine. The visible blood does however not necessarily correspond to the degree of blood loss through the urine. Red urine may also have other causes, which will not be described here. Originally graded by Droller (1982), more recently, a variety of visual scales have been developed and validated in an effort to improve communication around haematuria.

Table 10.4 Haematuria is graded as follows

Cystitis is the term used to describe inflammation of the bladder. The inflammation can be caused by an infection or as a reaction to certain drugs or radiation therapy.

The following symptoms may be seen in all types of cystitis:

• Urinary urgency and frequency.

• Burning or stinging with urination or right after.

• Pain, dysuria (painful urination), lower abdominal or supra-pubic pain.

• Nocturia, when sleep is disturbed twice or more at night due to a need to urinate.

• Urinary incontinence.

• General feeling of illness.

10.3.3 Incidence

Reported incidences of HC after HSCT range between 5% and 70%, depending on risk factors and use of preventive measures or not, but most materials describe an incidence between 5% and 30%.

10.3.4 Pathogenesis

The pathogenesis leading to HC is not completely known but is likely to be multifactorial. The onset is seen either early, within the 2 first weeks after start of conditioning treatment, or late, more than 2 weeks after HSCT. Conditioning treatment with chemotherapy, irradiation, cytopenia, viral infections due to immunosuppression and alloimmune reactions (immunisation by development of antibodies in response to an antigen, i.e. a protein from a donor, e.g. by receiving HSCT or transfusion) may all contribute to HC in the post-transplant period. Higher incidence of late-onset HC in HSCT with unrelated donors, older patients, and patients with graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and thrombocytopenia does support the conclusion that the pathogenesis is multifactorial (de Padua Silva 2010).

10.3.4.1 Drug-Related HC

Early-onset HC is usually a direct and immediate effect of the conditioning treatment, typically occurring during or within 48 h after the end of the conditioning regimen and is the result of a direct toxic effect of drug metabolites and radiotherapy on the bladder mucosa (Cesaro 2019). Cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide is the most frequently associated major drug-related cause of HC. When cyclophosphamide or ifosfamide is metabolised in the body, it produces a metabolite called acrolein. Acrolein will cause direct toxicity to the inner lining of the urinary tract, the urothelium. The degree of damage is dose dependent, and the toxicity may increase with previous or concomitant radiation therapy and if busulfan is included in the conditioning regimen together with cyclophosphamide. The time of duration that acrolein is exposed to the bladder also contributes to the degree of damage. For cyclophosphamide, the maximal concentration of active metabolites is reached after 2–4 h of oral or intravenous administration. Most of the cyclophosphamide, 35–80% of the dose, is excreted in the urine as metabolites, and up to 20% is excreted as intact drug (Hassan and Ljungman 2003). In patients with decreased renal function, particularly in severe cases, decreased renal excretion may result in increased plasma levels of cyclophosphamide and its metabolites, further leading to increased toxicity (Cesaro 2019).

10.3.4.2 Non-drug-Related HC

When HC occurs more than 2 weeks after HSCT, a common cause in the immunocompromised host can be viral infection (Cesaro 2019). Viral particles are frequently identified from the urine of HSCT recipients. Of these, reactivation of the polyoma BK virus (BKV) is the commonest and most consistent risk factor for HC following HSCT, as the virus is almost invariably present in the urine of patients with HC (Leung et al. 2005). The damaged urothelial cells provide a milieu for viral replication. Immunosuppression leads to viral reactivation and causes viruria. However, the exact pathogenetic link between BKV and HC remains enigmatic. Other viral agents such as adenovirus, cytomegalovirus (CMV) and other polyomaviruses similar to BKV may also but less often cause HC.

Alloimmunity after engraftment by attack from donor lymphoid cells against infected urothelial cells has not been confirmed as causing HC but may be an additional potential factor for development of this complication.

10.3.5 Diagnosis

The diagnosis of HC is confirmed by the presence of haematuria and symptoms of cystitis. Several predisposing factors have been reported in the HSCT setting (Lunde et al. 2015):

• Transplant type

• Age at transplantation

• Presence of graft-versus-host disease (GVHD)

• Donor source

• Conditioning regimen components and intensity

In order to confirm microscopic haematuria, two positive urine samples on consecutive days are needed. Urinary tract infection (UTI) should be confirmed by urine culture for bacteria and PCR testing for virus. Yet a diagnosis is occasionally derived from the exclusion of alternative causes.

10.3.6 Prognosis

In most cases of chemotherapy-induced HC with pre-engraftment onset and in polyomaviruria, the condition is self-limiting, and the prognosis is good. If the viruria is caused by adenovirus, the prognosis is worse, with the risk of progression to systemic adenovirus infection. In these cases, early pharmacological intervention with antiviral drugs, e.g. cidofovir, is recommended.

10.3.7 Prevention of Chemotherapy (Cyclophosphamide/Ifosfamide)-Induced HC

Hyperhydration with forced diuresis, i.e. 3 L/m²/24 h, with the goal of a diuresis of >250 mL/h, during and until the day after administration of an alkylating agent, is the most important preventive action. If the diuresis is insufficient, diuretics should be administered. The forced diuresis will not just dilute the urine but shorten the time of duration for acrolein exposure to the bladder and thus prevent the toxic effects. During the days of hyperhydration, the patient shall be closely monitored for fluid balance, including weight, at regular intervals. An electrocardiogram (ECG) should be taken and approved, prior to start of treatment, and vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, oxygen saturation and respiratory rate) should be checked throughout the day in order to ascertain circulatory stability. Electrolytes and renal function should be monitored by blood samples and electrolyte substitution given where required. A need for potassium substitution is not uncommon. The patient should also be assessed for any urinary or low abdominal pain or discomfort. All assessments mentioned above should be performed at least every 6 h. Informing the patient about the treatment and treatment goals as well as the importance of reporting any symptoms of HC will help ensure that appropriate actions and early intervention can be applied without delay.

For patients receiving cyclophosphamide- or ifosfamide-based regimens, the drug mesna (sodium 2-mercaptoethanesulfonate) can be used as pharmacological prophylaxis, although the additional benefit in the HSCT setting has not been scientifically proven in comparison with hyperhydration and forced diuresis. Mesna binds to the toxic metabolite acrolein and forms a non-toxic compound. By additional actions mesna also reduces the forming of acrolein in the urine. The drug itself has low toxicity (Mesna Summary of Product Characteristics 2017 (SPC) [in Swedish]).

In HSCT conditioning with cyclophosphamide, the recommended dose of mesna according to the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) is 20% of the cyclophosphamide dose, and the first mesna dose should be administered immediately prior to the cyclophosphamide. Subsequent doses will then be given at 3, 6, 9 and 12 h after administration of cyclophosphamide (totalling 120% of the cyclophosphamide dose). It is important to adhere to the timing of mesna doses in order to ensure efficacy of the treatment. Mesna treatment should be continued during the cyclophosphamide treatment period plus the time predicted for the metabolites to reach non-toxic levels. This will usually occur between 8 and 12 h after completed cyclophosphamide administration. This treatment schedule for mesna may however vary according to conditioning regimen and doses as well as to patient individual factors.

The use of quinolones (e.g. ciprofloxacin) for BK virus-induced HC is widely discussed (Dropulic and Jones 2008; Umbro et al. 2013). However, there is currently no consensus regarding this approach as either treatment or prophylaxis and a general increase of multidrug-resistant microorganisms makes this a matter for very careful consideration.

10.3.8 Treatment

The first intervention is hyperhydration with forced diuresis to prevent clot formation. HC is usually painful, and analgesia should be administered. If the patient is thrombocytopenic, a higher threshold level for platelet transfusion and intensive platelet support should be applied, in particular in haematuria grades III–IV. Catheterisation and bladder irrigation with 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) may be necessary to prevent clot obstruction. Catheter insertion should be performed so that the risk of additional injury to the urothelium is minimised. If obstruction occurs, cystoscopy can be performed. Selective embolisation of bladder arteries and catheterisation of both ureters to rest the bladder are actions that can be taken in severe cases. Cystectomy remains the last resort if all other treatment attempts fail.

Systemic antiviral drugs, e.g. cidofovir and ribavirin, can be commenced, if the HC is confirmed or likely attributable to adeno- or BK virus. Decreased immunosuppression could be considered in particular in cases of relapsing viral cystitis. Note that anticoagulants such as tranexamic acid and aminocaproic acid are contraindicated in HC due to risk of clot formation and retention.

Some studies have demonstrated effectiveness of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) (Savva-Bordalo et al. 2012; Hosokawa et al. 2021) in HC after HSCT, whereby the patient receives 100% oxygen in a hyperbaric chamber. However, this has not been established outside single-centre studies with small numbers of patients. Furthermore, limited access to hyperbaric chambers and the likely need and inability for the patient to move to another treatment unit often make this intervention less of an option.

10.3.9 Nursing Aspects

During treatment with hyperhydration, the same need for close monitoring and assessments as in the prophylactic setting applies (see above). Assess the need for platelet transfusion prior to catheterisation as well as after. Blood transfusions may also be necessary with significant blood loss. Standard monitoring for signs of infection, injury, pain, clot formation and other potential complications from the urinary catheter is important. In cases of bladder irrigation, keeping the fluids for irrigation at ambient temperature may alleviate discomfort. Complications of the irrigation can be prevented or minimised by close monitoring and recording of fluid balance. It is also important to maintain patient comfort by adequate pain management and general nursing interventions such as comfortable positioning and assistance with personal hygiene. The need for information and psychological support should be observed for both patient and family.

Since in particular viral HC may occur after discharge from the hospital, careful assessment of any signs and symptoms related to the urinary tract that may indicate urinary bacterial or viral infection is just as important in the outpatient setting.

10.4 Sinusoidal Obstruction Syndrome/Veno-Occlusive Disease

10.4.1 Introduction

Sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS) is also known as veno-occlusive disease (VOD) and is referred to as SOS/VOD hereafter. Of the early complications that are considered to be of vascular endothelial origin, this is the most described. There are diagnosis and severity criteria (McDonald et al. 1984, 1993; Jones et al. 1987; deLeve et al. 2009; Mohty et al. 2016), with the EBMT criteria the most recently proposed and criteria for the development of late-onset disease (Mohty et al. 2016). Careful monitoring of HSCT patients allows early detection of SOS/VOD. Treatment can then be started without delay, ultimately improving patient outcomes. From pre-transplant assessment to medical management and overall care of the patient, nurses thus have an essential role to play as part of a multidisciplinary team (Wallhult et al. 2017).

There are specific differences between the clinical presentation of SOS/VOD in adults versus in children, which has not been reflected in the older diagnosis and severity criteria. For this reason, EBMT has also developed a classification for diagnosis and severity criteria for SOS/VOD in paediatric patients (Corbacioglu et al. 2018). The information presented below is related to adults. For the paediatric population, please see original article (Corbacioglu et al. 2018), and for further information on VOD, visit the e-learning programme (2021) (https://www.ebmt.org/hepatic-veno-occlusive-disease-vod).

10.4.2 Definition and Pathogenesis

When drugs used in haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) conditioning regimens are metabolised in the liver, it results in toxic metabolites being produced by the hepatocytes. The metabolites trigger the activation, damage and inflammation of the endothelial cells lining the sinusoids (sinusoids being small capillary-like blood vessels in the liver). This trigger mechanism can start as soon as the conditioning treatment is administered. The activated sinusoidal endothelial cells release inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and the enzyme heparanase, which breaks down the extracellular matrix that supports the structure of the sinusoids. The endothelial cells are then forced to round up, and gaps form between the cells. The gaps allow for red blood cells, white blood cells and other cellular debris to exit through these gaps in the sinusoid walls into the space of Disse. (The space of Disse is the perisinusoidal space that is located between the endothelium and the hepatocytes.) When cells and debris accumulate in this space, the sinusoids become narrower. Due to the sinusoidal damage, endothelial cells can dissect off and embolise further downstream thus contributing to the narrowing. The damage also leads to an increase in the expression of tissue factor (TF) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). This coagulopathy causes an increase in clot formation and a decrease in the breakdown of clots. The deposition of fibrin and the clot formation will contribute to the narrowing of the sinusoids and may ultimately lead to hepatic sinusoidal obstruction. The result is SOS/VOD, which is characterised by obstruction of the sinusoids, portal vein hypotension and reduced hepatic venous outflow. Severe cases can progress to multi-organ dysfunction (MOD)/multi-organ failure (MOF) and death.

SOS/VOD usually develops before day +21 after HSCT with a peak incidence around day 12, but about 15–20% of the SOS/VOD cases have a late onset, after day +21.

10.4.3 Incidence and Prognosis

Although relatively rare, SOS/VOD is one of the main causes of non-relapse, transplant-related mortality. The incidence of VOD/SOS after transplantation varies substantially from 2 to 60% of both different settings of patients and transplant procedures and of application of different diagnostic criteria (Bonifazi et al. 2020).

It will also depend on risk factors including intensity of conditioning regimen and type of transplant. After allo-HSCT with myeloablative conditioning (MAC), the incidence is approximately 10–15%, but if reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) is used, the incidence is <5%. This is the same incidence as for auto-HSCT.

Mild SOS/VOD may not be particularly well recognised since the symptoms are subtle, may not require treatment and may spontaneously resolve within a few weeks. Unrecognised SOS/VOD may however progress, sometimes very rapidly, into moderate or severe. Severe SOS/VOD is associated with multi-organ dysfunction/multi-organ failure (MOD/MOF) and a mortality rate of 84%.

10.4.4 Risk Factors

The risk factors for SOS/VOD can be divided into patient- and disease-related and transplant-related risk factors (Mohty et al. 2015). As mentioned above, the risk factors, as well as the clinical presentation of SOS/VOD, differ between the adult and the paediatric population, and the risk factors presented here are related to adults.

Risk factors are divided into three categories.

10.4.5 Diagnosis

Despite the fact that diagnostic criteria were developed in the 1980s and have been used in clinical practice and research studies, it is often hard to identify early or mild cases of SOS/VOD before it progresses to a more severe form. Some reasons are lack of sensitivity and specificity of the criteria, the dynamic manifestations that makes definition of the condition hard and that early signs and symptoms often are subtle and makes differentiation from other transplant complications difficult. Given the poor prognosis of severe SOS/VOD, it is however vital to identify mild cases before they progress to moderate, with signs of hepatic injury and requiring more aggressive intervention, or further progress to severe SOS/VOD with MOD/MOF. The most recent diagnostic criteria proposed by EBMT (Mohty et al. 2016) are the same as the Baltimore criteria (Jones et al. 1987) for classical SOS/VOD with onset within the first 3 weeks after HSCT, but if SOS/VOD develops after day +21, elevated serum bilirubin level is not always seen, why a modified version of the criteria can be used for diagnosis of late SOS/VOD (Mohty et al. 2016) (Table 10.5). The EBMT criteria also better capture the dynamic manifestations of the disease and thus facilitate an early diagnosis as well as a more accurate assessment of severity. Treatment can then be started at a stage with greater chance for treatment response.

Table 10.5 SOS/VOD diagnosis criteria

Differential diagnoses will need to be excluded by assessing risk factors, symptoms and lab tests since liver dysfunction can also be seen in sepsis, viral infection, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD) and iron overload and as a side effect from many of the drugs used in the HSCT setting. In addition to the signs and symptoms required for diagnosis haemorrhagic complications, thrombocytopenia with platelet refractoriness, pulmonary dysfunction, renal dysfunction and encephalopathy are “late” signs that can be seen in more severe cases of SOS/VOD. Further, it is worth noting that all symptoms are also observed in other conditions and that many other complications may coexist with SOS/VOD (Eisenberg 2008). Examples of differential diagnosis for classical symptoms of SOS/VOD are listed in Table 10.6.

Table 10.6 SOS/VOD symptoms

When SOS/VOD is diagnosed, it is important to classify the severity grade in order to intensify the monitoring and identify patients that will need therapeutic intervention. The EBMT severity grading criteria (Mohty et al. 2016) stress the importance of noting the time since the appearance of the symptoms. A rapid progression of symptoms, and in particular bilirubin kinetics (the rate of increase) with a doubling time of 48 h, should be classified as a more severe grade than if symptoms develop more slowly over several days (Table 10.7).

Table 10.7 EBMT criteria for severity grading of a suspected SOS/VOD in adults

10.4.6 Prevention

The first strategy for prevention is to be aware of pre-existing risk factors and try and eliminate them as far as possible and potentially establish supportive or treatment measures prior to transplant. The patient- and disease-related risk factors, including hepatic, are often difficult or impossible to change, but the transplant-related risk factors should be carefully considered in the pre-transplant setting.

No proven medical prophylaxis exists, but sodium heparin, prostaglandin E1, ursodeoxycholic acid and low-molecular-weight heparin have been tried, although data about effectiveness remains inconclusive (Carreras 2012, 2015). Defibrotide, approved for treatment of severe SOS/VOD, has also been used as prophylaxis (Dignan et al. 2013), and one randomised study in children has shown a reduction in SOS/VOD incidence (Corbacioglu et al. 2012).

10.4.7 Treatment

As soon as SOS/VOD is suspected, supportive therapy should be initiated. In mild cases of SOS/VOD, close monitoring to detect progression and supportive management is often sufficient.

The monitoring should include:

• Daily weight

• Fluid intake and output

• Abdominal girth

• Blood tests including urea and electrolytes

• Assessment of all sites for bleeding

• Assessment of pain source and level

The supportive management consists of:

• Restricting fluid intake

• Avoidance of hepatotoxic drugs if possible

• Diuretics

• Analgesia

• Blood products

• Electrolytes

• Comfortable positioning

• Psychological support

Defibrotide is licenced for the treatment of severe hepatic SOS/VOD. Defibrotide protects the endothelial cells, reduces inflammation and restores thrombo-fibrinolytic balance (Richardson et al. 2013). The recommended dose is 6.25 mg/kg body weight administered as a 2 h, IV infusion every 6 h (to a total dose of 25 mg/kg/day). Recommendation for treatment duration is at least 21 days but should continue until the symptoms and signs of VOD resolve. Defibrotide is generally well tolerated (Keating 2014) but should not be used with products that affect platelet aggregation, e.g. non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulant therapy or other products that increase the risk of bleeding.

10.4.8 Nursing Aspects

It is important to perform an assessment of each new patient considering the risk factors mentioned above and to take baseline measurements including defining a threshold of >5% for weight gain. Most baseline measurements will be standard for HSCT patients, but in patients at high risk for SOS/VOD, assessments of abdominal girth and right upper quadrant (RUQ) pain and inspection of sclera may be added.

Standard daily monitoring should include temperature, pulse, blood pressure, respiration rate and saturation. One of the most important daily monitoring aspects is an accurate fluid balance including intake, output and weight since fluid imbalance is one of the earliest signs of SOS/VOD. A fluid retention that does not respond to diuretics represents an early sign of endothelial damage.

When performing abdominal girth measurement, it is advised to use a marked line for placement of the measuring tape and to choose one position (i.e. sitting/standing/lying) for the patient, to be used for each subsequent measure. Abdominal discomfort, tenderness, pain (in particular RUQ pain) and inspection for collateral circulation and/or spiders should always be included in abdominal assessment. For nurses trained in palpation and percussion for ascites, bulkiness, liver margins and size, these assessments should also be performed.

The sclera and skin should be assessed for bleeding/bruising and discoloration (jaundice).

Knowledge of the relevant reference ranges of daily laboratory values, particularly liver enzymes, serum bilirubin, blood count, electrolytes, urea and serum creatinine, will enable early detection of significant change or trend in values since nurses are likely to take blood samples and see the results first and can alert medical colleagues.

All findings should be precisely documented and any changes promptly reported. This is especially important in patients identified as high risk as early detection of SOS/VOD may affect the overall outcome.

If SOS/VOD is suspected, the monitoring should be intensified and adequate vascular access established. In addition to standard lab tests, coagulation parameters should be performed daily. If possible, hepatotoxic drugs should be avoided and diuretics and pain medication administered as needed. Electrolyte replacement may be necessary, and in case of thrombocytopenia or bleeding, blood products will be administered. If fluid restriction is enforced, it is important to know the smallest volumes that can be safely delivered.

The patient may also need assistance to be comfortably positioned.

When SOS/VOD has been diagnosed, the supportive care and monitoring will be further intensified including assessing for failure in respiratory, cardiac and renal function. Defibrotide treatment will most likely be started, and patients in need for ventilatory support should be prepared for transfer to the intensive care unit (ICU).

Patients should be informed and educated to notify the staff of any signs and symptoms that may need closer monitoring or intervention. In case SOS/VOD is diagnosed, both patient and family will need reassurance and support.

10.5 Other Early Complications of Endothelial Origin

10.5.1 Introduction

A number of early HSCT complications seem to be initiated by damage to the vascular endothelium. The most well defined and well described of these complications is sinusoidal obstruction syndrome (SOS)/veno-occlusive disease (VOD) described in the previous section of this chapter. Other syndromes in this group have been named engraftment syndrome (ES), diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH), idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) and transplant-associated microangiopathy (TMA). The similarities in their clinical manifestations and the lack of established diagnostic criteria often make determination of incidence and differential diagnosis difficult (Soubani and Pandya 2010; Afessa et al. 2012). Although many times mild and with spontaneous recovery, these complications also share the risk for progression to multi-organ failure (MOF)/multi-organ damage (MOD), resulting in a poor outcome.

Ongoing research and efforts for better characterisation and treatment indicate that there will be future changes in terminology and diagnostic criteria, as well as interventions, for the early HSCT complications mentioned here.

10.5.2 Pathogenesis

Several factors in the HSCT setting activate the endothelial cells that line the blood vessels. Contributing factors are the conditioning treatment and use of other drugs such as granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), e.g. cyclosporine-A, and microbial products translocated through mucosal barriers. The result is that fluid and proteins leak out of tiny blood vessels and flow into surrounding tissues. If unrecognised, this may lead to dangerously low blood pressure and subsequently MOF and shock. The symptoms often appear around the time of neutrophil recovery, i.e. when the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) increases to ≥0.5 × 10⁹/L, which is why the complex process of engraftment may also play a role in activation of endothelial cell damage. The activation of the endothelial cells leads to further damage and inflammation by the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Since the incidence of vascular endothelial syndromes is higher after allogeneic transplantation, alloreactivity (the immune response to non-self cells) is considered to play a role in activation and damage of endothelial cells.

10.6 Engraftment Syndrome (ES)

10.6.1 Definition

ES usually occurs after auto-HSCT although described in allo-HSCT as well, in particular when reduced intensity conditioning (RIC) and cord blood (CB) have been used.

Due to lack of diagnostic criteria, the term ES has been used as synonymous with capillary leak syndrome (CLS), auto-aggression syndrome, peri-engraftment respiratory distress syndrome (PERDS), aseptic shock syndrome and autologous graft-versus-host disease (AGVHD). Although there are differences, their common denominator is that they share some or all symptoms that have been attributed to ES.

Engraftment is defined as when the number of neutrophils in the patient’s blood rises to an absolute neutrophil count (ANC) of ≥0.5 × 10⁹/L.

Peri-engraftment can be defined as the period within 5 days of neutrophil engraftment.

10.6.2 Incidence and Prognosis

Due to the diagnosis difficulties, no reliable incidence figures are published although figures between 10% and 70% have been reported. There is also a lack of survival data. Most cases are mild and respond well to corticosteroid therapy, but ES may progress and lead to transplant-related mortality and decrease in overall survival. Patients requiring mechanical ventilation have a poor prognosis.

10.6.3 Risk Factors

There are a number of potential risk factors related to patient characteristics, disease, previous treatment, conditioning treatment, stem cell source and supportive drug treatment, but there is a lack of consensus, which can in part be contributed to the lack of diagnostic criteria. Changes in HSCT practices with new drugs and alternate stem cell sources may impact the risk factors in the future.

Among the risk factors described are:

• Female gender

• Advanced age

• No or little prior chemotherapy

• Previous use of bortezomib and lenalidomide in multiple myeloma patients

• Cord blood transplantation

• CD34+ cell number and engraftment rate

• G-CSF treatment

• Amphotericin treatment

• Cyclosporine (CyA) treatment

• Auto-HSCT for amyloidosis, multiple myeloma, POEMS (polyneuropathy organomegaly endocrinopathy monoclonal protein and skin abnormalities) syndrome and auto-immune diseases

10.6.4 Diagnosis

There are two tools to aid diagnosis of ES: the Spitzer (2001) and the Maiolino et al. (2003) diagnostic criteria. The clinical manifestations are divided into major or minor clinical criteria (Table 10.8), but Maiolino only has one major criteria, non-infectious fever. The timing of symptoms relative to engraftment also differs between the two, where Maiolino has a stricter time frame from 24 h before to any time after neutrophil recovery compared to Spitzer’s 96 h after (Table 10.9). However, in some patients, others have described onset of symptoms from 7 days before (for patients with POEMS) to 7 days after engraftment, and in cases with more severe symptoms, the early symptoms may have been overlooked, why the clinical criteria sometimes could be used regardless of appearance of symptoms in relation to time for engraftment (Chang et al. 2014). C-reactive protein (CRP) is not used for diagnosis in either criteria, but a sudden and significant increase in the CRP level has been found to support the diagnosis.

Table 10.8 Engraftment syndrome criteria

Table 10.9 Spitzer and Maiolino criteria

10.6.5 Prevention

Early recognition of signs and symptoms is the most important aspect since there is no standard prophylaxis for ES, although there is evidence that corticosteroids may prevent this complication.

10.6.6 Treatment

Before treatment is initiated, other diagnoses such as infection, drug rash, diarrhoea associated with infection or medication and intravenous (IV)-related fluid overload should be excluded. Broad-spectrum antibiotics should be used until infection is ruled out (Cornell et al. 2015). If cultures are negative, symptoms remain after 48–72 h of antibiotic treatment and other aetiologies can be excluded, corticosteroid treatment can be initiated.

Methylprednisolone in doses of 1–3 mg/kg/day IV are recommended until symptoms begin to subside. Response to treatment is usually seen within 2–3 days. Corticosteroids could then be switched to oral administration and should be slowly tapered. Early intervention with steroids prevents progression to more severe manifestations, and in the vast majority (80%) of patients, there is then complete resolution in less than 6 days. In cases with no response to steroid treatment after 72 h, biopsies of affected organs may be necessary. If biopsies are performed for evaluation of diarrhoea, the findings may not be able to distinguish from GvHD. This does however not exclude ES since overlap and coexistence with GvHD is possible. If a biopsy supports the ES diagnosis, treatment with additional immune suppressants should be started and continued until response. If the result of the biopsy is an alternative diagnosis, the patient should be treated accordingly.

In addition to pharmacological treatment, supportive care with IV fluids, with electrolyte supplement as needed, and oxygen therapy may be necessary depending on the symptoms.

In cases of encephalopathy or severe ES with MOF, plasma exchange may be considered (Yeoung-Hau and Syed 2014).

10.6.7 Nursing Aspects

Daily nursing assessments are critical in early detection and diagnosis of all complications to HSCT. The patient’s general well-being should be assessed. Listed in Table 10.10 are the nursing assessments that should be carried out frequently, the findings that could indicate ES and actions that can be taken in order to detect or rule out the ES diagnosis. All findings should be documented and any abnormalities promptly reported to the treating physician.

Table 10.10 Nursing assessments and actions

If steroid treatment is started, the patient should be assessed for possible side effects such as hyperglycaemia and insomnia. Blood glucose should be monitored daily.

10.7 Idiopathic Pneumonia Syndrome

10.7.1 Definition

Pulmonary complications (PCs) are the leading cause of patients’ admission to intensive care unit (ICU) after HSCT. PC can be divided into infectious or non-infectious. One of the non-infectious PCs is idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS).

For the purpose of this chapter, IPS will be defined and described according to the definition by the American Thoracic Society (Panoskaltsis-Mortari et al. 2011):

An idiopathic syndrome of pneumopathy after HSCT, with evidence of widespread alveolar injury and in which an infectious etiology and cardiac dysfunction, acute renal failure or iatrogenic fluid overload have been excluded.

The alveolar injury is a result from the release of proinflammatory cytokines during engraftment, increasing alveolar permeability and causing diffuse alveolar or interstitial infiltrates.

IPS also includes a subset of diagnoses of primary lung injuries classified according to the anatomical sites of inflammation. They can either be related to the pulmonary parenchyma (e.g. acute interstitial pneumonitis and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)), the airway endothelium (e.g. bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BO)), the vascular endothelium (e.g. different forms of ES (PERDS, CLS)) or be unclassifiable. Other less frequent non-infectious PCs have also been identified. None of these entities will be described here.

10.7.2 Incidence and Prognosis

PCs are common in HSCT recipients and a major cause of morbidity and mortality. IPS is more often seen in patients undergoing allogeneic HSCT, with a mean estimated incidence of 1–10% (6% in auto-HSCT) (Chi et al. 2013). The overall outcome is different between auto- and allo-HSCT recipients, and where IPS in patients who have undergone auto-HSCT usually has a favourable prognosis, the mortality is 60–80% in the allo-setting (Carreras 2012). IPS has a progressive nature, and patients with progression to respiratory failure and need for mechanical ventilation have a very poor prognosis with 95% mortality.

10.7.3 Risk Factors

For IPS, the following risk factors have been identified (Diab et al. 2016):

• Older age

• Low performance status (Karnofsky score)

• High-intensity conditioning regimen

• Total body irradiation (TBI)

• Allo-HSCT

• Acute graft versus host disease (aGvHD)

• Malignant disease

Pre-transplant pulmonary function abnormalities have also been associated with early respiratory failure and mortality (Chien et al. 2005).

10.7.4 Diagnosis

The most common signs and symptoms are fever, non-productive cough, rales, dyspnoea, tachypnoea and low saturation, with an increasing need for oxygen support.

The diagnosis will be based on alveolar injury confirmed clinically, radiologically and/or functionally. X-ray will reveal diffuse pulmonary infiltrates. Infection must have been ruled out by negative cultures and tests in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) or lung biopsies (Zhu et al. 2008), and there should be no evidence of cardiac dysfunction, acute renal failure or treatment-related fluid overload. It is however considered possible that some cases of IPS may be caused by an unidentified underlying infection since infections may lack typical signs and symptoms in the neutropenic patient. The IPS diagnosis can thus be supported by lack of improvement despite broad-spectrum antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs.

The typical onset will be around day +20, but IPS may also present later after HSCT, which is why it is important to be on alert for this complication, also after discharge from the hospital, in the outpatient setting.

There are no standard guidelines for diagnosis and evaluation of PC after HSCT, but the course of illness should be considered when differential diagnoses are to be excluded. When symptoms occur, IPS may rapidly progress to pulmonary dysfunction requiring mechanical ventilation.

10.7.5 Prevention

For patients at risk for IPS, careful consideration of treatment options pre- and post-transplant such as avoiding conditioning with TBI or high-intensity regimens and choice of GvHD prophylaxis may be beneficial. Monitoring of pulmonary function and symptoms after transplantation will enable prompt intervention.

In patients with decreased lung function prior to HSCT and suspected lung injury in the post-transplant setting, close collaboration with pulmonary specialist or the intensive care team may prevent progression of pulmonary dysfunction (Elbahlawan et al. 2016).

10.7.6 Treatment

Beyond supportive care, there is no proven treatment for IPS. In auto-HSCT patients, corticosteroids can be effective, but this is usually not the case for allo-transplanted patients, irrespective of steroid dose. Studies with etanercept, a TNF-α-binding protein, given in combination with corticosteroids, have reported improved pulmonary function in patients with IPS following allogeneic HSCT and may be considered (Carreras 2012), although a small but later study (Yanik et al. 2014) could not confirm the benefit of this treatment.

10.7.7 Nursing Aspects

The close monitoring and daily nursing assessments that apply for all HSCT patients should be employed. Depending on risk factors, extra attention may be needed to early and subtle symptoms of pulmonary dysfunction, such as decrease in saturation, shortness of breath and cough. Monitoring of daily weight and fluid balance, with administration of diuretics if necessary, will prevent and rule out fluid overload. Several different tests and examinations may be performed to establish or rule out the diagnosis of IPS. Sputum cultures and laboratory tests, such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for mycoplasma, and serum galactomannan for Aspergillus may need to be obtained and chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan performed to rule out infection. In case a BAL, with or without transbronchial biopsy, will be performed, information to the patient and preparation prior to the procedure as well as support both before and after and post procedure monitoring is important. The BAL may add substantial discomfort, in particular to an already seriously ill patient. Other lung function tests may also be repeated, for comparison with pre-transplant results.

When corticosteroids are administered, the blood glucose levels should be followed daily, and the patient should be informed of and assessed for other side effects, e.g. insomnia. Oxygen therapy may need to be administered and non-invasive positive-pressure ventilation necessary. Respiratory difficulties generate anxiety, and the patient should be offered psychological support as well as assistance with positioning and breathing techniques and exercises. Medication for anxiety may be necessary. Referral to a physiotherapist, respiratory therapist or other staff with expertise in pulmonary diseases should be made for advice on tools and exercises that may help the patient maintain pulmonary function and prevent worsening of the condition.

If the condition shows no signs of improving, the patient should be prepared for transfer to the ICU.

Identification of patients at risk, prompt intervention to signs and symptoms of pulmonary dysfunction and close collaboration within the team will increase the chances of a positive outcome.

10.8 Diffuse Alveolar Haemorrhage

10.8.1 Definition

Diffuse alveolar haemorrhage (DAH) is a life-threatening pulmonary complication occurring after allogeneic HCST without an explicit aetiology or a standard treatment (Park 2013; Wu et al. 2021). It is differentiated from idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS) through confirmation of pulmonary haemorrhage by bronchoscopy and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). The bleeding can be either insidious, causing a gradual pulmonary dysfunction, or a more acute bleeding into the alveolar space. Damage to the alveolar-capillary barrier from conditioning treatment and the engraftment process with recovery of neutrophils leads to entry of blood into the alveolar space.

10.8.2 Incidence and Prognosis

An approximate incidence of around 2% up to 20%, with a mortality rate ranging between 50% and 100%, has been reported for DAH in HSCT recipients (Afessa et al. 2002; Majhail et al. 2006; Carreras 2012; Wu et al. 2021). The incidence is similar between auto- and allo-HSCT.

The implication of prognostic factors has not been well studied, but early-onset DAH (within the first 30 days after transplant) in patients undergoing auto-HSCT has a favourable prognosis.

10.8.3 Risk Factors

Risk factors for the development of DAH in HSCT recipients include:

• Older age

• Total body irradiation (TBI)

• Myeloablative conditioning (MAC) regimens

• Acute graft-versus-host (aGvHD) disease

10.8.4 Diagnosis

Among the initial symptoms of DAH, dyspnoea (90.2%) comes first, followed by haemoptysis (45.7%) and fever in 29.3% of patients (Wu et al. 2021). Hypoxemia may be present, and diffuse or focal interstitial or alveolar infiltrates can be found on chest X-ray or computed tomography (CT) scan. With such findings, bronchoscopy with BAL and transbronchial biopsy is indicated, although performing these invasive tests in patients with severe illness and unstable respiratory status is a challenge.

The diagnosis is based on BAL findings, which become progressively more blood stained, indicating blood in the alveoli. Other causes, such as heart failure and fluid overload, should be excluded. Infection needs to be ruled out by obtaining relevant cultures. Presence of hemosiderin-laden macrophages in BAL fluid is not diagnostic for DAH but may support the diagnosis.

It is often very difficult to differentiate DAH from IPS and the ES form of respiratory distress (PERDS). IPS is more common in allo-HSCT, after engraftment, and does not respond to corticosteroids and has a more progressive nature. In PERDS, the majority of patients do not have BAL findings, becoming progressively bloodier.

The mean onset of DAH has been reported on day 24 after transplant and 6 days after absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery.

10.8.5 Prevention

Reversal of some risk factors, e.g. choice of conditioning treatment, may be possible, but otherwise no prophylaxis exists.

10.8.6 Treatment

Corticosteroids, using methylprednisolone followed by slow tapering, is considered first-line treatment even if efficacy can be questioned. With early diagnosis and treatment with steroid therapy, respiratory failure can often be prevented. Non-invasive ventilation may decrease mortality although the majority of patients with DAH require mechanical ventilation, and sepsis and MOF/MOD will cause death in a large proportion of patients (Rabe et al. 2010).

Other pharmacological therapies, as well as plasma exchange, have been tried for treatment of DAH. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been administered and achieved temporary control of bleeding. Tranexamic acid or the TNFα-inhibitor etanercept has been used in addition to corticosteroids but have not proved to be effective.

Transfusion of platelets and red blood cells (RBC) may be necessary.

10.8.7 Nursing Aspects

Patients need frequent monitoring for early detection of any pulmonary symptoms. Respiration rate and saturation should be assessed together with temperature and other standard assessments. If cough is noted, this should be reported to the team and the treating physician. Cultures and blood tests may be necessary to rule out infection. Cultures should be performed according to signs and symptoms, but screening cultures can be collected to possibly enable detection of occult infection. The patient’s circulatory status and fluid balance should be controlled by monitoring pulse, blood pressure, weight and input and output.

The patient should be instructed to report all symptoms, and if BAL and lung biopsy will be performed, patient information and support throughout the whole procedure is vital. Administration of transfusions, oxygen therapy and non-invasive ventilation should be performed as ordered, and since dyspnoea and other breathing difficulties are associated with a great deal of anxiety, patient support, sometimes with pharmacological treatment, is crucial. Proper positioning together with breathing exercises using appropriate breathing technique may alleviate some discomfort.

During high-dose corticosteroid treatment, blood glucose should be monitored, and it is important to be alert to steroid-related changes in the patient’s mental status.

10.9 Transplant-Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TA-TMA)

10.9.1 Definition

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is an increasingly recognised complication of hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) with high morbidity and mortality (Young et al. 2021). It is characterised by a triad of endothelial cell activation, complement dysregulation and microvascular haemolytic anaemia and has the potential to cause end organ dysfunction, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and death, but clinical features mimic other disorders following HSCT, delaying diagnosis.

10.9.2 Incidence

The incidence will vary with the criteria used to diagnose TMA. In retrospective data, the incidence is approximately 4% in auto-HSCT, and 7% has been reported in allo-HSCT (Carreras 2012), whereas one prospective study has shown an incidence close to 40% (Jodele et al. 2015). Conditioning intensity, myeloablative (MAC) versus reduced (RIC), has not shown any difference in incidence in allo-HSCT. The gold standard for diagnosis of TA-TMA is based on characteristic histologic findings, although bleeding risk often precludes tissue diagnosis (Young et al. 2021).

10.9.3 Prognosis

As with many early complications in HSCT, prompt recognition of early signs and symptoms with early diagnosis and intervention will increase the chances of a positive outcome. Cases of mild TMA where calcineurin inhibitor (CNI), e.g. cyclosporine, tacrolimus and sirolimus, is the cause generally have a good prognosis if CNI can be discontinued. If TMA is not related to CNI treatment, the prognosis is worse due to lack of effective treatment options. Exact figures for mortality rate are difficult to establish, but in patients with TMA and multi-organ involvement, the mortality could be as high as >90%.

10.9.4 Risk Factors

Use of total body irradiation (TBI) in conditioning treatment, CNI, graft-versus-host disease (GvHD), infections (e.g. cytomegalovirus (CMV) and fungal infections) and unrelated donor transplant (in particular if mismatched) are all considered risk factors or triggers for TMA, although reported data is conflicting (Nadir and Brenner 2012; Rosenthal 2016).

10.9.5 Diagnosis

TMA usually has an onset between 1 and 2 months after HSCT but can be seen both earlier and later.

Several slightly different criteria for diagnosis of TMA are being used (Sahin et al. 2016). See adapted Table 10.11. The diagnosis is difficult but can be confirmed with a biopsy tissue sample although this invasive test may not always be an option for the seriously ill HSCT recipient. TMA has clinical similarities with idiopathic thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and laboratory testing for the von Willebrand factor regulator ADAMTS13 can be performed to support the diagnosis. In classical TTP, there is a severe deficiency, while no significant decrease of ADAMTS13 is seen in TMA (Graf and Stern 2012).

Table 10.11 TMA diagnostic criteria

Renal TMA should be suspected if the patient requires higher doses of antihypertensives than would be expected considering the situation and concomitant and/or nephrotoxic medication. Example of a differential diagnosis is virus-related nephropathy.

Symptoms such as tachycardia, chest pain and hypoxemia should lead to suspicion of lung involvement and pulmonary hypertension. The diagnosis can be supported by findings of cardiomegaly on chest X-ray, pericardial effusion on transthoracic echocardiography and blood tests.

Intestinal TMA presents with the same symptoms as acute GvHD (aGvHD), abdominal pain, diarrhoea, vomiting and gastrointestinal bleeding. The symptoms can also be mistaken for infectious colitis, but in TMA, the cause of the bleeding is ischemia in the bowels due to microangiopathy. In addition to the general diagnostic criteria, specific criteria for gastrointestinal TMA have been proposed. Besides the clinical symptoms, X-ray findings with signs of ileus and thick mucosal wall and endoscopy with mucosal erosions and haemorrhages are included in the gastrointestinal TMA diagnostic criteria, but the only definite diagnostic test is a biopsy tissue sample.

As a result of generalised vascular injury in TMA, polyserositis with pericardial and pleural effusion and ascites can occur. It can easily be mistaken for GvHD, but where GvHD is more seldom associated with microangiopathic anaemia, proteinuria and hypertension, these symptoms are common in TMA.

10.9.6 Prevention

No specific prophylaxis exists, so vigilant monitoring of clinical signs and symptoms is necessary. CNI concentration in blood, lactate dehydrogenase (LD or LDH) and serum creatinine should be closely followed, i.e. two to three times/week, with laboratory testing. Additional blood tests with peripheral blood smear, haptoglobin and direct and indirect antiglobulin tests (DAT and IAT) should be performed if an increase is seen in CNI, LD and creatinine levels.

10.9.7 Treatment

There is currently no established treatment for TMA, but supportive measures should always be taken. Traditionally, the first step is to discontinue CNI, despite paucity of evidence for this action. It is also important to treat infections, GvHD and hypertension. Changing to other GvHD prophylaxis and use of antimicrobial drugs should be based on a risk-benefit assessment where, for example, nephrotoxicity is considered. Administration of diuretics may be necessary to treat fluid and sodium retention due to steroid treatment. Vasodilators and renin-angiotensin antagonists may also be used to treat hypertension.

It is recommended to restrict platelet transfusion in microangiopathic disease, but this is often impossible due to the need to prevent bleeding complications.

A potential treatment for TMA is eculizumab. Eculizumab stops the complement-activating cascade preventing formation of C5b-9. This leads to hampering of the intravascular haemolysis. Eculizumab has shown effect when started early after diagnosis (Jodele et al. 2015). Monitoring for effect by following serum concentration levels is important, and dose adjustments may be necessary to reach and maintain the desired therapeutic levels and effect.

In a small number of cases, successful treatment with rituximab and other monoclonal antibodies has been reported.

Treatment attempts have also been made with defibrotide at the same dosing as approved for treatment of severe sinusoidal obstruction syndrome/veno-occlusive disease (SOS/VOD) but with variable results.

Total plasma exchange (TPE) has been tried due to the clinical similarities between TMA and TTP, but where TTP can be successfully treated with TPE, it is not recommended for TMA due to poor response rates.

10.9.8 Nursing Aspects

Careful assessments will facilitate early diagnosis of, or ruling out, TMA and thus improve the outcome. Close monitoring of vital signs and being alert to any changes or trends is standard. Keeping track of fluid balance and weight is equally important. Blood pressure should be kept below 140/90 in adult patients (Jodele et al. 2015). The patient’s urine should be monitored for proteinuria and the patient instructed about what abnormal findings and symptoms to look for and to notify staff of any discomfort including signs of gastrointestinal bleeding. If invasive tests such as biopsies are to be performed, proper preparation and support is vital.

If pharmacological treatment with eculizumab is started, serum level concentration needs to be followed. Treatment with rituximab and defibrotide should be administered as ordered, and the patient should be monitored accordingly for effect and side effects.

Since the onset of TMA can occur after discharge from the transplant unit, it is important to be observant to symptoms and consider this diagnosis even in the outpatient setting.