Use of recombinant factor VIIa in uncontrolled gastrointestinal bleeding after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation among patients with thrombocytopenia

ABSTRACT

Background and Objective: Recombinant-activated factor VII [rVIIa] is a vitamin K-dependent glycoprotein that is an analog of the naturally occurring protease. It has an off-label use to control life-threatening bleeding that is refractory to other measures and was shown to decrease transfusion requirements. Gastrointestinal [GI] bleeding is a severe complication following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation [HSCT] in patients with thrombocytopenia, while hemostatic measures based on antifibrinolytic or transfusion therapy may not always be successful. The present study investigated the treatment with rFVIIa in severe GI bleeding among thrombocytopenia patients undergoing HSCT