Preliminary experience with use of recombinant activated factor VII to control postpartum hemorrhage in acute fatty liver of pregnancy and other pregnancy-related liver disorders

Indian J Gastroenterol. 2013 Jul;32(4):268-71. doi: 10.1007/s12664-013-0315-4. Epub 2013 Mar 10.

Abstract

Control of postpartum hemorrhage is difficult in patients with coagulopathy due to acute liver failure. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) can help in control of bleed; however, it has short duration of action (2-4 h). The study aimed to report the use of rFVIIa in this setting. We retrospectively analyzed all patients with acute liver failure secondary to pregnancy-related liver disorders who received rFVIIa for control of postpartum hemorrhage (six patients, all six met diagnostic criteria for acute fatty liver of pregnancy). One dose of rFVIIa achieved adequate control of bleeding in five patients, while one patient needed a second dose. rFVIIa administration corrected coagulopathy and significantly reduced requirement of packed red cells and other blood products. No patient had thrombotic complications. In conclusion, rFVIIa was a useful adjunct to standard management in postpartum hemorrhage secondary to acute liver failure of pregnancy-related liver disorders.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / complications
  • Blood Coagulation Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Factor VIIa / administration & dosage*
  • Fatty Liver / complications*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage / drug therapy*
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications
  • Pregnancy Complications, Hematologic / drug therapy*
  • Pregnancy Outcome
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Recombinant Proteins
  • recombinant FVIIa
  • Factor VIIa

Supplementary concepts

  • Acute fatty liver of pregnancy