Addressing the current challenges involved in the treatment of acute and life-threatening bleeding is key for improving patient outcomes. The timing and nature of the haemostatic interventions are currently in focus. Recent military experience has brought massive transfusion protocols into the civilian setting, while improved point-of-care technologies and the wide availability of purified clotting factor concentrates now allow for the implementation of early, targeted, goal-directed therapy. The evidence supporting the use of these approaches was critically appraised by four leading experts at a CSL Behring-sponsored satellite symposium entitled: ‘The challenge of rapid and targeted treatment of acute bleeding’ at the European Society of Anaesthesiology Congress (Euroanaesthesia 2012), and the benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to coagulation management were highlighted.

The current role of rasburicase in the management of hyperuricaemia as a result of chemotherapy for leukaemia or lymphoma

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common form of cardiac arrhythmia and is associated with significantly high levels of mortality, morbidity and health costs. In England, its overall prevalence is estimated to be 1.2%1; however, the epidemiological data demonstrates that the prevalence of AF increases exponentially with age, reaching levels as high as 10% in individuals aged 80 and over.2

Ofatumumab (Arzerra▼) in Practice: Insights into the role of ofatumumab in the treatment of refractory CLL

Current treatment approaches for CLL including the role of ofatumumab (Arzerra▼)

Major lower limb joint replacement surgery is very common. The number of total hip (THR) and knee (TKR) replacements carried out in England and Wales continues to increase. In 2006 there were more than 61 000 primary, revision and repeat THRs performed; this increased to over 71 000 in 2008.2,3 Similarly, the number of TKRs has increased by 23% from almost 61 000 in 2006 to more than 75 500 in 2008.2,3

With 17% of people living in the EU now aged 65 years or older, it is becoming increasingly important that we consider whether recommended treatment approaches in oncology and haematology are appropriate for the older population. This topic was the focus of a scientific symposium held at the 15th congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA) in Barcelona in June 2010 (sponsored by Hospira UK Ltd).

Welcome to the first issue of Haematology News. In October 2009 the 13th International Workshop for Chronic Lymphocytic Leukaemia (CLL) was held, bringing together over 1200 delegates with a truly international representation.

Multiple myeloma is characterised by a number of factors that are typically associated with a poor outcome to conventional treatments, such as advanced age, the presence of renal impairment and cytogenetic abnormalities. The availability of novel agents has led to substantial changes in treatment practices and may offer a particular benefit to patients with high-risk disease. Bortezomib is a first in class proteasome inhibitor that is approved in the frontline setting in combination with melphalan and prednisone for the treatment of patients not eligible for stem cell transplantation and as monotherapy for progressive disease for patients who have received at least one prior treatment. The pivotal Phase 3 trials that led to the approval of bortezomib included patients with various risk factors, and the data indicate that bortezomib efficacy is maintained in these patients. This review provides a summary of bortezomib data in the setting of advanced

This is the second of two issues devoted to chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and explores impor-tant views from the working haematologist and oncologist about managing patients with CLL. Pettitt and Hillmen summarise a fascinating meeting of a broad spread of haematologists and oncologists delivering therapy to the majority of CLL patients in the UK. With the new era of monoclonal antibody therapy, following the EMEA’s approval of rituximab in combination with chemotherapy for primary treat-ment of CLL, paradigms are shifting.