Recombinant Factor VIIa concentrate versus plasma derived concentrates for the treatment of acute bleeding episodes in people with Haemophilia A and inhibitors.
BACKGROUND
In some people with haemophilia, therapeutic clotting agents are recognised as a foreign protein and anti-FVIII antibodies, known as 'inhibitors', are produced. This review investigates which treatment most effectively arrests acute bleeding in people with haemophilia A and inhibitors.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the clinical effectiveness of recombinant FVIIa concentrate in comparison to plasma-derived concentrates for the treatment of acute bleeding episodes in people with haemophilia A and inhibitors.


METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Cystic Fibrosis and Genetic Disorders Group trials register which comprises of references identified from comprehensive electronic database searches and handsearching of relevant journals and abstract books of conference proceedings. Date of the most recent search of the Group's trials register: September 2003.


METHODS
Randomised (RCTs) and quasi-randomised controlled clinical trials comparing Recombinant FVIIa concentrate to human plasma-derived concentrates (high-dose human or recombinant FVIII concentrate; prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs); activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC)) in people with haemophilia A. Comparisons with animal derived products were excluded.


METHODS
No studies were found that were eligible for inclusion in this review.


RESULTS
A total of four studies were identified by the searches, however, none of these were eligible for inclusion in this review.


CONCLUSIONS
No RCTs on the relative effectiveness of Recombinant FVIIa concentrate compared to human plasma-derived concentrates in people with haemophilia A and inhibitors were identified for inclusion in this review. The research evidence on which to base clinical decisions is therefore limited to case reports, and other less robust evidence. There is need for a well-designed, adequately-powered randomised controlled trial to assess the relative benefits and risks of using Recombinant FVIIa concentrate compared to human plasma-derived concentrates in people with haemophilia A and inhibitors.
Hind
D
D
School of Health and Related Research, University of Sheffield, Regent Court, 30 Regent Street, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK, S1 4DA.
Lloyd-Jones
M
M
Makris
M
M
Paisley
S
S
D000208:Acute Disease; D005167:Factor VII / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015942:Factor VIIa; D006467:Hemophilia A / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005167:Factor VII; C103587:recombinant FVIIa; D015942:Factor VIIa