Summary
We investigated the effects of addition of recombinant activated coagulation factor
VII (rFVIIa) to coagulation factor-deficient plasma and whole blood, using thrombelastograms
(TEGs). The addition of rFVIIa to factor II-or X-deficient plasma did not correct
hemostatic parameters, whereas it produced partial responses in factor V-, VIII-or
IX-deficient plasma and good responses in factor VII-, XI-or XII-deficient plasma.
Furthermore, the addition of rFVIIa and platelets (30-100 X 103/µl) to platelet-poor plasma produced marked corrections, producing TEGs similar to
those of platelet-rich plasma. These results indicate that factors II and X are essential
for the hemostatic effects of rFVIIa, and that factors V and VIII promote these effects.
We believe that TEGs are, at present, one of the most useful tools for evaluating
in vitro hemostatic effects of rFVIIa.
Keywords
Recombinant activated factor VII - thrombelastogram