Elective surgery on factor VIII inhibitor patients using continuous infusion of recombinant activated factor VII: plasma factor VII activity of 10 IU/ml is associated with an increased incidence of bleeding.
We examined recombinant activated factor VII (rVIIa) administered by continuous infusion to eight patients with inhibitors to factor VIII, undergoing elective surgery. rVIIa was infused at a fixed rate of 16.5 microg/kg/h for a median of 13.5 days (range 1-26). There was effective haemostasis at this infusion rate in only one of two minor procedures and two of six major operations. Three patients experienced excessive bleeding despite plasma factor VII activity around 10 IU/ml. Serious bleeding occurred in two other patients caused by procedural errors unrelated to rVIIa and required re-operation. The median rVIIa clearance on day 1 was 57 ml/h/kg (range 18-100) and on day 3 was 100 ml/h/kg (range 61-200). Clearance on the final infusion day was not significantly different from day 3. The infusion did not induce pathological activation of the coagulation mechanism. The only thrombotic adverse events were two episodes of superficial thrombophlebitis of the infused vein in one subject. In conclusion, the 16.5 microg/kg/h infusion rate reliably achieves plasma factor VII activity levels of 10 IU/ml, but this level does not provide reliable haemostasis.
Smith
M P
MP
Haemophilia Centre, Reference Centre for Haemostatic and Thrombotic Disorders, St Thomas' Hospital, London, UK. mark.smith@gstt.sthames.nhs.uk
Ludlam
C A
CA
Collins
P W
PW
Hay
C R
CR
Wilde
J T
JT
Grigeri
A
A
Melsen
T
T
Savidge
G F
GF
D000328:Adult; D000941:Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D016063:Blood Loss, Surgical / Q000517:prevention & control; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000378:metabolism; D015897:Comorbidity; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D017558:Elective Surgical Procedures; D004621:Embolization, Therapeutic; D005167:Factor VII / Q000032:analysis; D015942:Factor VIIa / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006406:Hematoma / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000601:surgery; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000628:therapy; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D007518:Isoantibodies / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012086:Reoperation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000941:Antigens; D007518:Isoantibodies; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; C042580:factor VII clotting antigen; D005167:Factor VII; D015942:Factor VIIa