Recombinant factor VIIa as an adjunctive therapy for patients requiring large volume transfusion: a pharmacoeconomic evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Acute haemorrhage requiring large volume transfusion presents a costly and unpredictable risk to transfusion services. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) (NovoSeven, Novo Nordisk, Bagsvaard, Denmark) may provide an important adjunctive haemostatic strategy for the management of patients requiring large volume blood transfusions.


OBJECTIVE
To review blood transfusion over a 12-month period and assess the major costs associated with haemorrhage management. A pharmoeconomic evaluation of rFVIIa intervention for large volume transfusion was conducted to identify the most cost-effective strategy for using this haemostatic product.


METHODS
Audit and analysis of all patients admitted to Christchurch Public Hospital requiring > 5 units of red blood cells (RBC) during a single transfusion episode. Patients were stratified into groups dependent on RBC units received and further stratified with regard to ward category. Cumulative costs were derived to compare standard treatment with an hypothesized rFVIIa intervention for each transfusion group. Sensitivity analyses were performed by varying parameters and comparing to original outcomes.


RESULTS
Comparison of costs between the standard and hypothetical model indicated no statistically significant differences between groups (P < 0.05). Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analyses indicate that intervention with rFVIIa after transfusion of 14 RBC units may be cost-effective due to conservation of blood components and reduction in duration of intensive area stay.


CONCLUSIONS
Intervention with rFVIIa for haemorrhage control is most cost-effective relatively early in the RBC transfusion period. Our hypothetical model indicates the optimal time point is when 14 RBC units have been transfused.
Loudon
B
B
Department of Haematology, Canterbury District Health Board, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Smith
M P
MP
D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016527:Drug Costs; D017850:Economics, Pharmaceutical; D017707:Erythrocyte Transfusion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D005167:Factor VII / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000191:economics*; D015942:Factor VIIa; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand; D011336:Probability; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000191:economics; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D006490:Hemostatics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005167:Factor VII; C103587:recombinant FVIIa; D015942:Factor VIIa