title: Recombinant activated factor VII in cardiac surgery: a systematic review.
abstract: Postoperative hemorrhage is a common complication in cardiac surgery, and it is associated with a considerable increase in morbidity, mortality, and cost. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is an emerging hemostatic agent, increasingly used in cardiac surgery. This article systematically reviews the evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and cost of rFVIIa in this setting. Although definitive evidence from randomized controlled trials is lacking, the use of rFVIIa in patients experiencing refractory postoperative hemorrhage seems promising and relatively safe. However further research is required to definitively establish its clinical utility in the postoperative cardiac patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of BioSurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Kaushik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mandal
authors.forename: Vassilis
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hadjianastassiou
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Knowlton
authors.forename: Sukhmeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Panesar
authors.forename: Kokotsakis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: John
authors.forename: Ara
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Darzi
authors.forename: Thanos
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Athanasiou
mesh_terms: D006348:Cardiac Surgical Procedures; D016527:Drug Costs; D005167:Factor VII / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015942:Factor VIIa; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control; D006488:Hemostasis, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D005167:Factor VII; C103587:recombinant FVIIa; D015942:Factor VIIa