Monitoring of hemostatic status in four patients being treated with recombinant factor VIIa.

Recombinant Factor VIIa (rVIIa) is a potent hemostatic agent for the management of refractory bleeding in patients with Factor VII deficiency or Factor VIII inhibitors. While the current recommended dose is usually effective, the most appropriate dose remains a subject of debate. Since factor VII levels and shortening of the pro-thrombin time do not appear to correlate with response, an appropriate laboratory marker of clinical response has not been identified. In this article we report changes noted in thrombin generation, platelet function and clot structure in blood from patients treated with rVIIa. Thrombin generation was assessed via a thrombin generation time (TGT) assay using a Hemodyne HAS instrument. Changes in clot structure were assessed as changes in clot elastic modulus in the HAS, changes in maximum amplitude in the TEG and changes in maximum clot firmness in the ROTEG. The cases presented confirmed improvement in thrombin generation with administration of rVIIa. The cases also illustrate that: a) in the factor VII deficient patient, 25% of the 90 microg/kg dose is sufficient to totally correct the defect, b) patients with high level factor VIII inhibitors may require significantly more than the recommended dose of 90 microg/kg, c) thrombin generation may not be completely corrected despite dramatic shortening of the prothrombin time, and d) increasing rVIIa doses does not by itself ensure improved thrombin generation.

Effects of recombinant factor VIIa on platelet function and clot structure in blood with deficient prothrombin conversion.

While recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) shows promise as a broad-spectrum hemostatic agent, questions remain regarding the most appropriate dose and the best way to monitor its effects. In this study we tested the sensitivity of a thrombin dependent platelet assay, platelet contractile force, to the effects of rFVIIa in normal, factor-deficient, and inhibitor-containing blood samples. Dose dependent effects of rFVIIa on platelet contractile force (PCF) and clot elastic modulus (CEM) were measured in all blood samples. rFVIIa minimally affected PCF and CEM in normal blood clotted with thrombin or batroxobin. While rFVIIa minimally altered PCF and CEM in factor VIII (FVIII) deficient blood clotted with thrombin, rFVIIa increased PCF and CEM and shortened the lag phase in a dose dependent manner in batroxobin-induced clots. The effects of rFVIIa in factor IX (FIX) deficient blood mirrored the effects seen in FVIII deficient samples. Whether clotted with thrombin or batroxobin, baseline PCF and CEM were abnormally low in FVIII deficient samples containing FVIII inhibitors. In such samples, rFVIIa caused dose dependent improvement of PCF, CEM, and lag phases. In one patient with a spontaneous inhibitor, rFVIIa caused dose dependent increases in PCF and CEM in blood clotted with either enzyme. rFVIIa corrects the deficient thrombin generation seen in FVIII and FIX deficiency, and in blood containing FVIII inhibitors. As a consequence, platelet function is improved and clot structure is enhanced. Platelet contractile force and clot elastic modulus measurements are sensitive to the dose dependent effects of rFVIIa.

Successful use of recombinant factor VIIa for hemostasis during total knee replacement in a severe hemophiliac with high-titer factor VIII inhibitor.

A 32-year-old male patient with severe factor VIII (FVIII) deficiency had developed a high-titer FVIII inhibitor at age 13. Recurrent hemarthroses caused bony destruction in both knees, significantly impairing his ability to walk. Knee examination revealed 20 degrees of varus, destruction of the medial joint line, and flexion contracture. Total knee arthroplasty was performed using recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa, NovoSeven) for hemostatic control. rFVIIa (85 microg/kg given intravenously over 3-5 minutes) was given just prior to surgery. The dose was repeated every 2 hours during and for the first 48 hours after surgery. When the tourniquet was removed, rFVIIa had not been infused for 1.5 hours, and significant hemorrhage was noted. The hemorrhage responded promptly to rFVIIa infusion. The infusion interval was extended to every 4 hours for an additional 48 hours, and subsequent doses were given every 6 hours until the patient returned to the clinic 2 days postdischarge. Hemoglobin levels dropped from 16.9 gm/dL on admission to 9.1 gm/dL at discharge. After 2 months, the patient returned to work. We recommend that tourniquet release be performed immediately after rFVIIa administration and that aggressive physical therapy be considered in the early postoperative period when rFVIIa infusions are frequent.