title: Prothrombin complex concentrate (Beriplex P/N) for emergency anticoagulation reversal: a prospective multinational clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC) can substantially shorten the time needed to reverse antivitamin K oral anticoagulant therapy (OAT). OBJECTIVES. To determine the effectiveness and safety of emergency OAT reversal by a balanced pasteurized nanofiltered PCC (Beriplex P/N) containing coagulation factors II, VII, IX, and X, and anticoagulant proteins C and S.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients receiving OAT were eligible for this prospective multinational study if their International Normalized Ratio (INR) exceeded 2 and they required either an emergency surgical or urgent invasive diagnostic intervention or INR normalization due to acute bleeding. Stratified 25, 35, or 50 IU kg(-1) PCC doses were infused based on initial INR. Study endpoints included INR normalization (</=1.3) by 30 min after PCC infusion and hemostatic efficacy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Forty-three patients, 26 requiring interventional procedures and 17 experiencing acute bleeding, received PCC infusions at a median rate of 7.5 mL min(-1) (188 IU min(-1)). At 30 min thereafter, INR declined to </=1.3 in 93% of patients. At all postinfusion time points through 48 h, median INR remained between 1.2 and 1.3. Clinical hemostatic efficacy was classified as very good or satisfactory in 42 patients (98%). Prompt and sustained increases in circulating coagulation factors and anticoagulant proteins were observed. One fatal suspected pulmonary embolism in a patient with metastatic cancer was judged to be possibly PCC-related.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PCC treatment serves as an effective rapid hemorrhage control resource in the emergency anticoagulant reversal setting. More widespread availability of PCC is warranted to ensure its benefits in appropriate patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Haematology and Haemostaseology, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Pabinger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Brenner
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Kalina
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knaub
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nagy
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ostermann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003374:Coumarins / Q000009:adverse effects; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004630:Emergencies; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005164:Factor IX / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005167:Factor VII / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005170:Factor X / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006490:Hemostatics / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D019934:International Normalized Ratio; D007557:Israel / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011516:Prothrombin / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011655:Pulmonary Embolism / Q000139:chemically induced; D014812:Vitamin K / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D003374:Coumarins; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006490:Hemostatics; C525441:factor IX, factor VII, factor X, prothrombin drug combination; D014812:Vitamin K; D005167:Factor VII; D011516:Prothrombin; D005164:Factor IX; D005170:Factor X; C030123:coumarin