Thromb Haemost 2005; 94(06): 1177-1180
DOI: 10.1160/TH05-05-0342
Blood Coagulation, Fibrinolysis and Cellular Haemostasis
Schattauer GmbH

Continuous infusion of recombinant factor VIIa for surgery in patients with deficiency of factor VII

Sam Schulman
1   Coagulation Unit, Department of Haematology and
,
Geir E. Tjønnfjord
3   Section of Haematology, Department of Internal Medicine, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
,
Richard Wallensten
2   Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
,
Uri Martinowitz
4   The National Hemophilia Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
,
Gili Kenet
4   The National Hemophilia Center, The Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 17 May 2005

Accepted after resubmission 22 August 2005

Publication Date:
07 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

The administration of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) by continuous infusion has provided a safe and convenient alternative to bolus injections in haemophiliacs with inhibitors, but it has only been reported in a single case with congenital factorVII (FVII) deficiency. The results of 12 consecutive surgical procedures in 7 patients with congenital FVII deficiency are reported here. rFVIIa was always given in continuous infusion, aiming at plasma FVII activity of 0.5 IU/mL. Treatment was given for 2 to 7 days with a mean total dose of 7.8 mg rFVIIa. Blood loss was as expected from the different types of procedures and the only thromboembolic complication was a superficial thrombophlebitis at the infusion site. This mode of substitution was therefore safe, effective and well tolerated.