title: The role of recombinant activated factor VII in cardiac surgery.
abstract: Recombinant factor VIIa may reduce surgical blood loss and transfusion of blood products in cardiac surgery. However, the true risks of its use in this setting remains to be elucidated, especially when it is administered with other potent pro-haemostatic agents. We reviewed the recent literature on this topic and suggest that the off label use of recombinant factor VIIa is likely to continue. It is our institutional practice to use it in the operating room at a dose of 90 mcg/Kg to ensure there is no obvious correctable surgical source of blood loss, and to be certain that bleeding has stopped before the chest is closed.
authors: Shackleton Department of Anaesthesia, Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Richardson
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Herbertson
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Gill
keywords: bleeding; cardiac surgery; recombinant factor VII; transfusion