Activated recombinant factor VII after cardiopulmonary bypass reduces allogeneic transfusion in complex non-coronary cardiac surgery: randomized double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.
BACKGROUND
Receiving an allogeneic transfusion may be an independent predictor of mortality for patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Furthermore, these patients utilize 15% of all donated blood in the UK. In our unit, 80% of patients undergoing complex non-coronary cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) receive an allogeneic transfusion. Activated recombinant FVII (rFVIIa) may be effective in reducing this need for transfusion.


METHODS
Twenty patients undergoing complex cardiac surgery were randomized to receive rFVIIa or placebo after CPB and reversal of heparin.


RESULTS
Two patients in the rFVIIa group received 13 units of allogeneic red cells and coagulation products compared with eight patients receiving 105 units of allogeneic red cells and coagulation products in the placebo group (relative risk of any transfusion 0.26; confidence interval 0.07-0.9; P=0.037). The groups did not differ for adverse events.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite major limitations (underpowered study and prone to type I error), we have shown that rFVIIa significantly reduces the need for allogeneic transfusion in complex non-coronary cardiac surgery without causing adverse events.
Diprose
P
P
Department of Anaesthesia, Southampton University Hospitals, Tremona Road, Southampton SO16 6YD, UK. ravi.gill@suht.swest.nhs.uk
Herbertson
M J
MJ
O'Shaughnessy
D
D
Gill
R S
RS
D000368:Aged; D001777:Blood Coagulation / Q000187:drug effects; D001803:Blood Transfusion; D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D015942:Factor VIIa / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000378:metabolism; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011182:Postoperative Care / Q000379:methods; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013916:Thrombelastography
D006454:Hemoglobins; D006490:Hemostatics; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015942:Factor VIIa