Treatment of acute bleeds with recombinant activated factor VII during immune tolerance therapy.
In our clinic, five patients with haemophilia A and one patient with haemophilia B and inhibitors have been treated with immune tolerance induction (ITI) since 1995. Bleeding symptoms during this period have been treated with recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoSeven, Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). Four of the six patients did not need rFVIIa during ITI other than for port-a-cath insertions, but two have been treated intensively because of repeated bleeding problems. The first of these developed inhibitors at the age of 2 years after 11 days of exposure to factor VIII (FVIII). He was treated for 40 bleeding episodes before ITI started, and during ITI he was treated another 24 times, including eight treatments for joint bleeds. Treatment was effective for the different types of bleeding episode. However, in spite of repeated treatment for these joint bleeds, he developed two target joints with synovitis (right knee and left elbow). The synovitis only showed signs of regression when inhibitor levels were reduced due to the ITI regimen. The second patient, now 5 years old, has severe haemophilia B. He developed inhibitors and anaphylaxia having received prophylactic treatment from the age of 1 year. He has now received ITI with 120 units/kg body weight per day of FIX for 68 weeks. In the event of trauma and bleeding he is treated promptly with rFVIIa by his parents at home. Treatment is started with 160-180 microg/kg body weight and, if needed, another dose of 90 microg/kg is given after 3 h. During 1996, 35 bleeds or traumas were treated. The total amount of rFVIIa administered to this child was 211.2 mg. All but one joint bleed and all muscle bleeds needed more than one injection. The need for another injection is judged by the parents and the child from clinical signs, such as pain and swelling. Neither of these two boys have shown any signs of thrombosis or disseminated intravascular coagulation. In summary, rFVIIa is a well tolerated and effective therapy for acute bleeding episodes during ITI. Dosing and intervals can be the same as for patients not on ITI therapy. Early intervention at home can minimize the risk of synovitis.
Petrini
P
P
Department of Paediatrics and Coagulation Disorders, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.
Klementz
G
G
D000208:Acute Disease; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015942:Factor VIIa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006699:Home Care Services; D006761:Hospitals; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015942:Factor VIIa