Potential uses of recombinant human factor VIIa in veterinary medicine.
In human beings, rFVIIa has been used successfully to promote hemostasis in patients with various bleeding disorders. Patients with hemophilia, thrombocytopenia, and thrombocytopathy have been effectively and safely treated as well as patients with severe trauma or surgery resulting in profuse bleeding and patients with impaired liver function. Given these successes, the possibility of using rFVIIa in veterinary medicine is appealing. The clinical indications and uses in veterinary medicine would be similar, but there are currently two major obstacles: immunogenicity and cost. If these problems can be addressed, rFVIIa may become a valuable and indispensable therapy, especially in the emergency and critical care settings. The use of rFVIIa could allow for successful treatment of otherwise intractable bleeding as well as decrease the number of blood transfusions needed.
Kristensen
Annemarie T
AT
Department of Clinical Studies, Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Copenhagen, 16 Dyrlaegevej, DK-1870 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. atk@kvl.dk
Edwards
Melissa L
ML
Devey
Jennifer
J
D000818:Animals; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D005167:Factor VII / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015942:Factor VIIa; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D019155:Veterinary Drugs
D006490:Hemostatics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D019155:Veterinary Drugs; D005167:Factor VII; C103587:recombinant FVIIa; D015942:Factor VIIa