Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa/NovoSevenR) in intractable haemorrhage: use of a clinical scoring system to predict outcome

[Clinical efficacy of recombinant activated factor Ⅶ a for 16 hematonosis with moderate or severe bleeding]

目的

观察重组人凝血因子Ⅶa（rFⅦa）对血液病及其异基因造血干细胞移植（allo-HSCT）术后出血患者的止血疗效。

方法

以2013年5月至2016年5月住院治疗的16例合并中至重度出血的血液病患者为观察对象，非移植组及移植组患者各8例，两组患者应用rFⅦa的用法、用量无明显差异。同时，以同期15例allo-HSCT后发生肠道急性移植物抗宿主病（aGVHD）肠出血患者为对照组（未应用rFⅦa），将其与allo-HSCT后肠道aGVHD肠出血应用rFⅦa患者进行生存比较，总结患者应用rFⅦa治疗的临床疗效。

结果

①非移植组与移植组患者中，rFⅦa止血显效率分别为75.0%（6/8）和37.5%（3/8），显效中位时间分别为38.5和63.0 h，中位总生存（OS）时间分别为201.0和29.0 d，OS率分别为50.0%（4/8）和25.0%（2/8），出血相关死亡率分别为50.0%（2/4）和83.3%（5/6）。②16例患者中显效者9例，无效者7例，显效组与无效组患者中，中位OS时间分别为268.0和24.0 d，OS率分别为66.7%（6/9）和0（0/7）。③同期肠道aGVHD合并肠出血患者，观察组（6例）与对照组（15例）患者的中位OS时间分别为25.5和20.0 d。

结论

血液病患者尤其是allo-HSCT患者出血相关死亡率高，rFⅦa治疗有一定止血疗效；显效组患者OS率较无效组高；allo-HSCT后肠道出血患者采用rFⅦa治疗止血效果不佳的原因可能与移植后导致出血的并发症控制不佳有关。

Recombinant Activated Factor VII as a Second Line Treatment for Postpartum Hemorrhage

Background

Severe or massive postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) has remained a leading cause of maternal mortality for decades across the world and it results in critical obstetric complications. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has emerged as a gold standard adjunctive hemostatic agent for the treatment of life-threatening PPH refractory to conventional therapies although it remains off-licensed for use in PPH. We studied the effects of rFVIIa on coagulopathy, transfusion volume, prognosis, severity change in Korean PPH patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of medical records between December 2008 and March 2011 indicating use of rFVIIa in severe PPH was performed. We compared age, rFVIIa treatment, transfusion volume, and Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at the time of arrival in the emergency department and after 24 hours for patients whose SOFA score was 8 points or higher.

Results

Fifteen women with SOFA score of 8 and above participated in this study and eight received rFVIIa administration whereas seven did not. Patients’ mean age was 31.7 ± 7.5 years. There was no statistically significant difference in initial and post-24 hours SOFA scores between patients administered rFVIIa or not. The change in SOFA score between initial presentation and after 24 hours was significantly reduced after rFVIIa administration (P = 0.016).

Conclusions

This analysis aimed to support that the administration of rFVIIa can reduce the severity of life-threatening PPH in patients. A rapid decision regarding the administration of rFVIIa is needed for a more favorable outcome in severe PPH patients for whom there is no effective standard treatment.

Prediction score for effective bleeding control using recombinant activated factor VII in perioperative nonhemophilic patients

BACKGROUND

Although there has been growing evidence from off-label use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in surgical bleeding, there is limited information on prediction scores.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted from 2004 to 2009. The primary outcome was efficacy of bleeding control. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to develop a new prediction score for success of rFVIIa.

RESULTS

A total of 320 bleeding episodes from 243 nonhemophilic patients who underwent surgery were analyzed. Effective bleeding control was demonstrated in 153 patients. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 40%. Multivariate analysis identified 4 independent predictors for effective bleeding control: timing of rFVIIa administration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative international normalization ratio values, and total units of platelets transfused. A rFVIIa success prediction score was developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of this new prediction score may support decision making by identifying patients with a high probability of obtaining effective bleeding control from rFVIIa therapy.

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa/NovoSeven®) in the management of severe postpartum haemorrhage: initial report of a multicentre case series in Japan

Only a limited number of case reports documenting the off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in Japanese patients with postpartum haemorrhage (PPH) have been published. Data on Japanese cases with severe PPH in which rFVIIa was administered were collected. Data of obstetric haemorrhage patients treated with rFVIIa between 2005 and 2010 were retrospectively collected throughout Japan. The data included patients' background information, blood product requirements, dose/timing of rFVIIa, and adverse effects. Treating clinicians subjectively assessed the effect of rFVIIa on bleeding at each administration using four categories: "Stopped", "Decreased", "Unchanged", and "Increased". A total of 25 women received rFVIIa for the treatment of obstetric haemorrhage in 18 institutions. After the final administration, bleeding was "stopped" in 16 patients (64%), "decreased" in eight patients (32%), and "unchanged" in one patient (4%). A significant reduction in blood product requirement was observed following the first rFVIIa administration. Hysterectomy was required in two patients (15.4%) after rFVIIa administration. Four asymptomatic thrombotic events were reported in three patients. These results suggest that rFVIIa can be a beneficial therapeutic option that can reduce blood loss and prevent hysterectomy in Japanese patients with massive obstetric bleeding.

Controversies of Anticoagulation Reversal in Life-Threatening Bleeds

Therapeutic anticoagulation with heparins, warfarin, and anti-Xa inhibitors carry an inherent risk of complications due to their multifaceted pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties as well as narrow therapeutic ranges. When an anticoagulated patient presents with a major or life-threatening bleed, immediate and effective therapy may be necessary to reverse the effects of the anticoagulant, minimize blood loss, and reduce patient morbidity and mortality. Optimal agents and strategies for anticoagulant reversal are limited, particularly for newer anticoagulants. The literature describing such strategies available to reverse the effects of anticoagulants in the setting of a bleed is limited, and therefore many controversies exist. Thus, as new anticoagulants become available, without a specific agent for reversal, the concerns and controversies related to this topic must be addressed. The purpose of this review is to discuss the management of major or life-threatening bleeds by addressing the following controversies: (1) the use of recombinant factor VIIa for rapid reversal of warfarin in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, (2) the role of prothrombin complex concentrate in emergent warfarin reversal, and (3) the optimal approach to reverse newer anticoagulants such as low molecular weight heparins, fondaparinux, and direct thrombin inhibitors.

Recombinant Activated Factor VII (rFVIIa) in the Management of Major Obstetric Haemorrhage: A Case Series and a Proposed Guideline for Use

Major obstetric haemorrhage remains a significant cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. Previous case reports suggest the potential benefit of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa: NovoSeven^R) as a haemostatic agent. We performed a retrospective review of the use of rVIIa in major obstetric haemorrhage in the Northern Region between July 2004 and February 2007. Fifteen women received rFVIIa. The median patient age was 34 years. Major haemorrhage occurred antepartum (5 patients), intrapartum (1), and postpartum (9). All women received an initial dose of 90 mcg/kg rFVIIa and one received 2 further doses. Bleeding stopped or decreased in 12 patients (80%). Additional measures included antifibrinolytic and uterotonic agents, Rusch balloon insertion, uterine curettage/packing, and vessel embolisation. Eight patients required hysterectomy. All women survived to discharge from hospital. No adverse events, including thrombosis, were recorded. This study provides further support for the safety and efficacy of rFVIIa as adjunct therapy in major obstetric haemorrhage.

Pediatric off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa

OBJECTIVE

Our goal was to report our institutional experience with recombinant factor VIIa for the treatment and/or prevention of bleeding in nonhemophiliac children.

METHODS

This was a retrospective case series in a tertiary pediatric referral hospital.

RESULTS

During 1999-2006, 135 patients received recombinant factor VIIa for off-label use. The median number of doses was 2; the median dose was 88 mug/kg. The most common diagnoses among patients receiving recombinant factor VIIa were disseminated intravascular coagulation/sepsis (28), surgical bleeding (19), procedural prophylaxis (16), and trauma (15). The median volume of blood products administered 24 hours before recombinant factor VIIa treatment was 29.7 vs 11.7 mL/kg 24 hours after treatment. Only 1 high-risk patient had significant bleeding after receiving prophylactic recombinant factor VIIa before an invasive procedure. Nonsurvivors had significantly increased incidence of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (75%) compared with survivors (23%). The largest group of patients (n = 28) received recombinant factor VIIa for bleeding and/or coagulopathy because of disseminated intravascular coagulation; the mortality in this group was 26 (93%) of 28. Eleven patients received multiple doses of recombinant factor VIIa to treat bleeding complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplant, without improvement in blood use. Mortality in medical patients was 58% vs 16% in surgical patients. Three patients had significant thrombotic adverse events after receiving recombinant factor VIIa, resulting in 2 deaths and 1 leg amputation.

CONCLUSIONS

Off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa significantly decreases blood-product administration; surgical patients had control of life-threatening bleeding with low associated mortality. Prophylactic recombinant factor VIIa may be effective in preventing bleeding if given before invasive procedures in children at high risk. Prolonged use of recombinant factor VIIa for bleeding complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplant is not effective in preventing packed red blood cell transfusion. Presence of disseminated intravascular coagulation and mulitorgan dysfunction syndrome may help predict futility of recombinant factor VIIa treatment. Off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa is associated with thromboembolic events in children.

Successful management by recombinant activated factor VII in a case of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy caused by obstetric hemorrhage

Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) is a life-threatening emergency in obstetrics. Although recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has become used for the treatment of some cases of massive hemorrhage, its applications in the field of obstetrics are still limited. We describe a case of successful treatment with rFVIIa for PPH due to placenta accreta. The patient was a 33-year-old woman with placental previa. Cesarean section (CS) was performed at gestational week 35. During CS, there was massive hemorrhage due to placenta accreta. After CS, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy and hypovolemic shock were diagnosed. The PPH was not controlled by transfusion therapy. On the fourth day after CS, rFVIIa (90 microg/kg x 2) was given because of the persistent PPH. Bleeding decreased and no further transfusion was required from 2 days after administration. rFVIIa was useful in the treatment of this case of obstetric hemorrhage.

Recombinant activated factor VIIa for the treatment of bleeding in major abdominal surgery including vascular and urological surgery: a review and meta-analysis of published data

Background

The purpose of this study was to determine the role of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in abdominal, vascular, and urological surgery.

Methods

We conducted meta-analyses of case series and placebo-controlled studies reporting on the treatment or prophylaxis of bleeding with rFVIIa regarding 'reduction or cessation of bleeding', 'mortality', and 'thromboembolism'.

Results

All case reports (n = 15 case reports and 17 patients) documented an effect of rFVIIa in the treatment of bleeding. A meta-analysis of 10 case series revealed a reduction or cessation of bleeding in 39 out of 50 patients after administration of rFVIIa (estimated mean effect 73.2%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 51.0% to 95.4%) and a mean probability of survival of 53.0% (95% CI 26.4% to 79.7%). Among the rFVIIa responders, 19 out of 29 patients (66%) survived versus 1 out of 10 rFVIIa nonresponders (P = 0.003). Six out of 36 patients from the case series had a thromboembolic complication (estimated mean probability 16.5%, 95% CI 1.2% to 31.8%). Compared with a meta-analysis of eight placebo-controlled studies, no increased risk of thromboembolism was seen after administration of rFVIIa.

Conclusion

The meta-analysis of case series showed that, in a mean of 73% patients, rFVIIa achieved at least a reduction of bleeding and that the probability of survival is increased in patients responding to rFVIIa. rFVIIa was not associated with an increased risk of thromboembolism compared with placebo.

Blood component therapy in obstetrics

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of intensive care unit admission and one of the leading causes of death in the obstetric population. This emphasizes the importance of a working knowledge of the indications for and complications associated with blood product replacement in obstetric practice. This article provides current information regarding preparation for and administration of blood products, discusses alternatives to banked blood in the obstetric population, and introduces pharmacological strategies for treatment of hemorrhage.

The use of recombinant activated factor VII in trauma patients: Experience from the Australian and New Zealand haemostasis registry

BACKGROUND

There is increasing use of rFVIIa (eptagog alpha, Novoseven) in injured patients with critical bleeding. The role of rFVIIa is not defined in this group of patients. Registries provide an opportunity to review the patients, reported response and adverse events for rFVIIa.

AIM

To determine the pattern of use, reported response and adverse events in patients receiving rFVIIa following injury using the Australian and New Zealand Haemostasis Registry (ANZHR).

METHODS

The ANZHR (commenced May 2005) collects data from 53 hospitals on all patients receiving rFVIIa in those hospitals.

RESULTS

Of 695 cases in the registry, 108 patients from 19 hospitals were submitted with a primary trauma diagnosis. Most (88) patients received one 90microg/kg dose of rFVIIa. There was a significant reduction in the use of all blood products following rFVIIa (p<0.001) and rFVIIa was thought to have decreased or stopped bleeding in 59% of cases. There was wide variation in the timing of rFVIIa use. There were two adverse events that were considered possibly linked and a total of three thromboembolic events. Following multivariate analysis, pH provided the best model of response to rFVIIa. Patients with a pH<7.05 were significantly less likely to respond (OR=0.3, 95% CI=0.0-0.3). Only two patients would fit the criteria for the present prospective study of rFVIIA in trauma patients.

CONCLUSION

The best approach to managing critical bleeding in trauma patients is not agreed. The role of rFVIIa will only be clarified if there is a standardised approach to fluid management and transfusion of blood products. The registry allows tracking of current practice, outcomes and adverse events and will complement present phase 2 and 3 trials.

The role of recombinant factor VIIa in on-pump cardiac surgery: Proceedings of the Canadian Consensus Conference

PURPOSE

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is currently not approved by Health Canada or the Food and Drug Administration for treating excessive blood loss in nonhemophiliac patients undergoing on-pump cardiac surgery, but is increasingly being used "off-label" for this indication. A Canadian Consensus Conference was convened to generate recommendations for rFVIIa use in on-pump cardiac surgery.

METHODS

The panel undertook a literature review of the use of rFVIIa in both cardiac and non-cardiac surgery. Appropriateness, timing, and dosage considerations were addressed for three cardiac surgery indications: prophylactic, routine, and rescue uses. Recommendations were based on evidence from the literature and derived by consensus following recognized grading procedures.

RESULTS

The panel recommended against prophylactic or routine use of rFVIIa, as there is no evidence at this time that the benefits of rFVIIa outweigh its potential risks compared with standard hemostatic therapies. On the other hand, the panel made a weak recommendation (grade 2C) for the use of rFVIIa (one to two doses of 35-70 microg.kg(-1)) as rescue therapy for blood loss that is refractory to standard hemostatic therapies, despite the lack of randomized controlled trial data for this indication.

CONCLUSIONS

In cardiac surgery, the risks and benefits of rFVIIa are unclear, but current evidence suggests that its benefits may outweigh its risks for rescue therapy in selected patients. Methodologically rigorous studies are needed to clarify its riskbenefit profile in cardiac surgery patients.

Recombinant activated factor VII increases survival time in a model of incompressible arterial hemorrhage in the anesthetized pig

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage is the leading cause of death in battlefield casualties and the second leading cause of death after civilian trauma. Evacuation time for military casualties to surgical care can be prolonged and improved hemostasis could greatly reduce mortality. There are several anecdotal reports that recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) may arrest uncontrolled bleeding after trauma. However, the majority of prospective randomized controlled trials show little benefit in survival. The aim of this study was to determine whether rFVIIa could increase survival time within a clinically relevant time scale for military practice and reduce the volume of blood loss in a model of incompressible arterial hemorrhage. A secondary aim was to determine the effects of hypotensive versus normotensive resuscitation on the effectiveness of rFVIIa.

METHODS

Terminally anaesthetized Large White pigs were randomly allocated to one of four treatment groups. All animals received a controlled hemorrhage of 40% of the total estimated blood volume. They were given either rFVIIa (180 microg/kg) or placebo (saline 0.3 mL/kg) intravenously and a 4 to 5 mm longitudinal aortotomy created in the infra renal aorta before resuscitation commenced with 0.9% saline to one of two target systolic arterial blood pressures (SBPs): 110 mm Hg (normotensive) or 80 mm Hg (hypotensive). Group sizes were as follows: placebo/normotensive (6), placebo/hypotensive (7), rFVIIa/normotensive (7), and rFVIIa/hypotensive (7). Survival was monitored for a maximum of 6 hours after the onset of resuscitation.

RESULTS

rFVIIa was associated with a significantly prolonged survival time in animals managed hypotensively (214 [79-349] vs. 35 [19-52] minutes mean [95% confidence interval] rFVIIa vs. placebo, p = 0.03 Peto log rank test). There was no significant difference in survival time between those given rFVIIa and placebo in groups managed normotensively (128 [6-249] vs. 40 [15-66] minutes respectively, p = 0.27). Both rFVIIa and hypotensive management were associated with reduced uncontrolled hemorrhage volumes. There was no evidence of inappropriate intravascular thrombi or microthrombi associated with the use of rFVIIa.

CONCLUSIONS

rFVIIa, combined with hypotensive resuscitation, can increase survival time and reduce hemorrhage in a model of arterial hemorrhage. The increase in survival time is clinically relevant for military evacuation of battlefield casualties to surgical care.

Recombinant factor VIIa in massive postpartum haemorrhage

Massive postpartum haemorrhage is a major cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Management mainstays include transfusion therapy, uterotonic agents and surgery. The "off label" use of recombinant activated factor VII appears to have an evolving role in the management of massive postpartum haemorrhage refractory to conventional treatments. The current literature is reviewed.

A review of the off-label use of recombinant activated factor VII in a developing country tertiary care center

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) was first approved for treatment of congenital hemophilia. It could, however, also have a role in management of patients without pre-existing coagulopathies who undergo surgical procedures, have life-threatening hemorrhages, or sustain traumas associated with major blood loss. A retrospective chart review was performed for all cases given rFVIIa at American University of Beirut Medical Center (AUB MC). Patients with a previous medical history of thrombophilia were excluded. There were four pediatric patients with a mean age younger than 1 year. Adult patients' mean age was 64.5 +/- 17.4 years. The most common off-label uses for rFVIIa are control of hemorrhage during the repair of aortic dissection (4/17 cases) or following intracerebral hemorrhage (4/17 case). One trauma patient received the medication. Complications included cerebral ischemia in one patient. Three of the patients died but their death was not related to the bleeding or the medication. Based on the prognostic score proposed by Biss and Hanley, seven patients were low risk, four intermediate risk, and six high risk. Although off-label use of rFVIIa at AUB MC was supported by published reports, and associated with few complications, guidelines are required to control use of this medication.

Predicting response to recombinant factor VIIa in non-haemophiliac patients with severe haemorrhage

BACKGROUND

Despite increasing use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in non-haemophiliac patients, it is unclear when rFVIIa might be effective.

METHODS

A single centre review of consecutive non-haemophiliac patients receiving rFVIIa for the management of severe haemorrhage. Treatments with rFVIIa were at a dose of 90 mug kg(-1) repeated at three hourly intervals at the clinicians' discretion.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients received rFVIIa. Six patients survived to discharge and 12 patients died in hospital. The median (range) Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score at the time of administration of rFVIIa for the group that survived was 8.0 (5-12) compared with the group that died 12.0 (7.0-14.0) (P=0.03). One of the patients who survived (17%) had organ failure at the time of rFVIIa administration compared with 11 of those who died (92%) (P=0.004). Fifteen patients survived long enough to consider a second dose of rFVIIa, one patient who survived to discharge needed more than one dose (1/6, 17%), compared with seven of those who later died in hospital (7/9, 78%) (P=0.04). The survivors had a significant reduction in blood product requirements after rFVIIa, while patients who died did not. Neither the prothrombin time nor the activated partial thromboplastin time before or after rFVIIa predicted survival.

CONCLUSIONS

High SOFA score and failure to respond to one adequate dose of rFVIIa appear to identify patients with poor prognosis. These observations may help in determining when rFVIIa treatment is likely to be futile.

Reversal of Elevated International Normalized Ratios and Bleeding with Low-Dose Recombinant Activated Factor VII in Patients Receiving Warfarin

STUDY OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of using low-dose recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) to reverse the effects of warfarin in critically ill patients with major bleeding events.

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

Intensive care unit of a 500-bed university-affiliated hospital.

PATIENTS

Sixteen nonhemophiliac patients who had been receiving warfarin and had an acute major bleeding event.

INTERVENTION

Patients received rFVIIa 1.2 mg for reversal of anticoagulation.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Patients were identified from clinical pharmacology consult service electronic tracking records, and their data were cross-checked with the pharmacy information system. Information collected for each patient included extent of bleeding and magnitude of elevation in international normalized ratio (INR). A mean +/- SD dose of rFVIIa 16.3 +/- 4.1 microg/kg (range 11-25 microg/kg) reduced the mean INR from 2.8 +/- 1.6 (range 1.44-6.34) to 1.07 +/- 0.27 (range 0.86-1.92, p<0.001). A rapid onset of response for achieving a desirable hemostatic effect was observed in 14 of the 16 patients.

CONCLUSION

Low-dose rFVIIa appears to be an effective, rapid reversal modality for major bleeding events in the presence of warfarin and an elevated INR. The agent's response is quicker than that expected with fresh frozen plasma combined with vitamin K. In emergency situations, rFVIIa 1.2 mg can be used to reverse the anticoagulant effect of warfarin and other vitamin K antagonists without inducing a hypercoagulable state; the product, however, is expensive.