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

Clin Lab. 2004;50(9-10):529-38.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biomarkers
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects
  • Blood Coagulation / physiology
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / metabolism
  • Blood Platelets / drug effects
  • Blood Platelets / physiology
  • Child
  • Drug Monitoring*
  • Elasticity / drug effects
  • Factor VII / therapeutic use*
  • Factor VII Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Factor VII Deficiency / metabolism
  • Factor VIII / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Factor VIIa
  • Female
  • Hemostasis* / drug effects
  • Hemostatics / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use*
  • Thrombin / drug effects
  • Thrombin / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • Hemostatics
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Factor VII
  • Factor VIII
  • recombinant FVIIa
  • Factor VIIa
  • Thrombin