NovoSeven in warfarin-treated patients.
Haemorrhages represent a major complication of treatment with vitamin K antagonists. In cases of severe bleeding, a prompt effect on the increased International Normalized Ratio value is vital to achieve haemostasis. As conventional treatment, that is plasma or plasma-derived concentrates, carries the risk of blood-borne virus transmission, new treatments are needed. An open, multicentre pilot trial is currently under way to determine the effect of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa; NovoSeven) administered to patients experiencing a bleeding episode after receiving vitamin K antagonists. When rFVIIa was given to a patient with a warfarin-induced nosebleed, it had an immediate haemostatic effect and the International Normalized Ratio value virtually normalized.
Berntorp
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E
Department for Coagulation Disorders, Lund University, University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. rik.berntorp@medforsk.mas.lu.se
Stigendal
L
L
Lethagen
S
S
Olofsson
L
L
Hedner
U
U
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015942:Factor VIIa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000188:drug therapy; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014859:Warfarin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000925:Anticoagulants; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D014812:Vitamin K; D014859:Warfarin; D015942:Factor VIIa