Medication Summary
Recombinant factor VIIa
rFVIIa is licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of bleeding in individuals with hemophilia A and B with acquired inhibitors and for persons with congenital factor VII deficiency. rFVIIa is produced in vitro in baby hamster kidney cells that are transfected with F7.
Although originally developed for the treatment of inhibitor-complicated hemophilia A and B, novel indications for rFVIIa (based on case reports and smaller clinical trials) include use in patients with liver disease, thrombocytopenia, or qualitative platelet dysfunction and in patients with no coagulation disorders who are bleeding as a result of extensive surgery or major trauma.[5, 23, 13, 24, 25] Use of rFVIIa to control bleeding has increased among patients with intracranial bleeding, cardiac surgery, prostatectomy, trauma, and liver transplantation over the past few years.[20] The benefits of rFVII is uncertain, and no mortality reduction is seen. The various dosages used in the above-mentioned conditions vary and are outlined in the review by Logan et al.[26]
Antihemophilic agents, drug-product derivatives
Class Summary
The mechanism by which factor VIIa maintains normal hemostasis is unknown. Clot-promoting activity of rFVIIa is primarily mediated through the tissue factor pathway, although direct activation of primary hemostasis may also occur.
Tissue factor-dependent and tissue factor-independent enhancement of thrombin generation have been suggested to play a role.[27, 24] Factor VIIa alone, in the absence of tissue factor, can generate factor IXa and factor Xa on the surface of activated platelets, which, in turn, induces the coagulation cascade to form thrombin.[28]
Mechanism of action of rFVIIa in patients with Glanzmann thrombasthenia and Bernard-Soulier syndrome is thought to be from thrombin generation on the surface of platelets, resulting in faster platelet activation and aggregation.[5]
In a recent study that evaluated rFVIIa in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage, the mortality was relatively reduced by 38% at 3 months when rFVIIa was administered within 4 hours of the hemorrhage. Accelerated thrombin generation from activated platelets at the sites of ruptured arterioles after administration of rFVIIa provides hemostatic effect and improved the outcome of these patients.[29]
By similar mechanisms, rFVIIa is also effective at controlling refractory bleeding in trauma patients.[30] Gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with cirrhosis has responded positively to rFVIIa.
Coagulation factor VIIa, recombinant (NovoSeven)
Supplied in 1.2- and 4.8-mg vials. Half-life of rFVIIa is 2-3 h. Cleared from plasma more rapidly in children than in adults.
Blood products
Class Summary
These agents are indicated for the correction of abnormal hemostatic parameters.
Fresh frozen plasma
FFP is used to correct coagulation factor deficiency when hemostasis is urgently required. FFP is separated within 8 h of whole blood collection and frozen at -18°C. Each unit of FFP contains 200 U of each coagulation factor. Volume transfused should correct factor VII level to at least 30% of normal levels.
Factor IX complex (Proplex, BeneFix, Hemodyne)
Contains factor VII 68-91 U/mL. Viral inactivation with dry heat (60°C [140°F] for 144 h). Prothrombin complex concentrates contain variable amounts of factors II, VII, IX, and X.
Antifibrinolytic agents
Class Summary
These agents increase circulating plasmin levels and decrease plasminogen levels.
Aminocaproic acid (Amicar)
Inhibits fibrinolysis via inhibition of plasminogen activator substances and, to a lesser degree, through antiplasmin activity. Main problem is that the thrombi that form during treatment are not lysed and effectiveness is uncertain.
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Lane A, Cruickshank JK, Mitchell J, et al. Genetic and environmental determinants of factor VII coagulant activity in ethnic groups at differing risk of coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis. May 1992;94(1):43-50. [Medline].
Pinotti M, Toso R, Girelli D, et al. Modulation of factor VII levels by intron 7 polymorphisms: population and in vitro studies. Blood. Jun 1 2000;95(11):3423-8. [Medline].
Laurian Y. Treatment of bleeding in patients with platelet disorders: is there a place for recombinant factor VIIa?. Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb. 2002;32 Suppl 1:37-40. [Medline].
Herrmann FH, Wulff K, Auberger K, et al. Molecular biology and clinical manifestation of hereditary factor VIIdeficiency. Semin Thromb Hemost. 2000;26(4):393-400. [Medline].
Bernardi F, Patracchini P, Gemmati D, et al. Molecular analysis of factor VII deficiency in Italy: a frequent mutation(FVII Lazio) in a repeated intronic region. Hum Genet. Nov 1993;92(5):446-50. [Medline].
Cutler JA, Patel R, Mitchell MJ, Savidge GF. The significance of published polymorphisms in 14 cases of mild factor VII deficiency. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. Mar 2005;16(2):91-5. [Medline].
Meade TW, Ruddock V, Stirling Y, et al. Fibrinolytic activity, clotting factors, and long-term incidence ofischaemic heart disease in the Northwick Park Heart Study. Lancet. Oct 30 1993;342(8879):1076-9. [Medline].
Moor E, Silveira A, van't Hooft F, Suontaka AM, Eriksson P, Blombäck M, et al. Coagulation factor VII mass and activity in young men with myocardial infarction at a young age. Role of plasma lipoproteins and factor VII genotype. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. May 1995;15(5):655-64. [Medline].
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Heywood DM, Carter AM, Catto AJ, et al. Polymorphisms of the factor VII gene and circulating FVII:C levels in relation to acute cerebrovascular disease and poststroke mortality. Stroke. Apr 1997;28(4):816-21. [Medline].
Friederich PW, Henny CP, Messelink EJ, et al. Effect of recombinant activated factor VII on perioperative blood loss in patients undergoing retropubic prostatectomy: a double-blind placebo-controlled randomised trial. Lancet. Jan 18 2003;361(9353):201-5. [Medline].
Seligsohn U, White GC. Inherited deficiencies of coagulation factors II, V, VII, XI and XIII and the combined deficiencies of factors V and VII and of the vitamin K-dependent factors. In: Beutler E, Lichtman MA, Coller BS, Kipps TJ, Seligsohn U, eds. William's Hematology. 6th ed. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill; 2001:1617-38.
Giansily-Blaizot M, Schved JF. Potential predictors of bleeding risk in inherited factorVII deficiency. Clinical, biological and molecular criteria. Thromb Haemost. Nov 2005;94(5):901-6. [Medline].
Mariani G, Herrmann FH, Dolce A, et al. Clinical phenotypes and factor VII genotype in congenital factor VII deficiency. Thromb Haemost. Mar 2005;93(3):481-7. [Medline].
Mariani G, Lapecorella M, Dolce A. Steps towards an effective treatment strategy in congenital factor VII deficiency. Semin Hematol. Jan 2006;43(1 Suppl 1):S42-7. [Medline].
Mannucci PM, Levi M. Prevention and treatment of major blood loss. N Engl J Med. May 31 2007;356(22):2301-11. [Medline].
Yank V, Tuohy CV, Logan AC, Bravata DM, Staudenmayer K, Eisenhut R, et al. Systematic Review: Benefits and Harms of In-Hospital Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa for Off-Label Indications. Ann Intern Med. Apr 19 2011;154(8):529-40. [Medline].
Logan AC, Yank V, Stafford RS. Off-Label Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa in U.S. Hospitals: Analysis of Hospital Records. Ann Intern Med. Apr 19 2011;154(8):516-22. [Medline].
Broderick J, Connolly S, Feldmann E, Hanley D, Kase C, Krieger D, et al. Guidelines for the management of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage in adults: 2007 update: a guideline from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council, High Blood Pressure Research Council, and the Quality of Care and Outcomes in Research Interdisciplinary Working Group. Stroke. Jun 2007;38(6):2001-23. [Medline].
Levi M, Levy JH, Andersen HF, Truloff D. Safety of recombinant activated factor VII in randomized clinical trials. N Engl J Med. Nov 4 2010;363(19):1791-800. [Medline].
Ludlam CA. The evidence behind inhibitor treatment with recombinant factor VIIa. Pathophysiol Haemost Thromb. 2002;32 Suppl 1:13-8. [Medline].
Lisman T, Moschatsis S, Adelmeijer J, et al. Recombinant factor VIIa enhances deposition of platelets with congenital or acquired alpha IIb beta 3 deficiency to endothelial cell matrix and collagen under conditions of flow via tissue factor-independent thrombin generation. Blood. Mar 1 2003;101(5):1864-70. [Medline].
Ludlam CA, Smith MP, Morfini M, et al. A prospective study of recombinant activated factor VII administered by continuous infusion to inhibitor patients undergoing elective major orthopaedic surgery: a pharmacokinetic and efficacy evaluation. Br J Haematol. Mar 2003;120(5):808-13. [Medline].
Logan AC, Goodnough LT. Recombinant factor VIIa: an assessment of evidence regarding its efficacy and safety in the off-label setting. Hematology Am Soc Hematol Educ Program. 2010;2010:153-9. [Medline].
Butenas S, Brummel KE, Branda RF, et al. Mechanism of factor VIIa-dependent coagulation in hemophilia blood. Blood. Feb 1 2002;99(3):923-30. [Medline].
Monroe DM, Hoffman M, Oliver JA, Roberts HR. A possible mechanism of action of activated factor VII independent of tissue factor. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. Mar 1998;9 Suppl 1:S15-20. [Medline].
[Best Evidence] Mayer SA, Brun NC, Begtrup K, et al. Recombinant activated factor VII for acute intracerebral hemorrhage. N Engl J Med. Feb 24 2005;352(8):777-85. [Medline].
Barletta JF, Ahrens CL, Tyburski JG, Wilson RF. A review of recombinant factor VII for refractory bleeding in nonhemophilic trauma patients. J Trauma. Mar 2005;58(3):646-51. [Medline].
Bidot CJ, Jy W, Horstman LL, et al. Factor VII/VIIa: a new antigen in the anti-phospholipid antibody syndrome. Br J Haematol. Feb 2003;120(4):618-26. [Medline].
Butenas S, van't Veer C, Mann KG. "Normal" thrombin generation. Blood. Oct 1 1999;94(7):2169-78. [Medline].
Deveras RA, Kessler CM. Reversal of warfarin-induced excessive anticoagulation with recombinanthuman factor VIIa concentrate. Ann Intern Med. Dec 3 2002;137(11):884-8. [Medline].
Hoffman M, Monroe DM 3rd. A cell-based model of hemostasis. Thromb Haemost. Jun 2001;85(6):958-65. [Medline].
Iacoviello L, Di Castelnuovo A, De Knijff P, et al. Polymorphisms in the coagulation factor VII gene and the risk of myocardial infarction. N Engl J Med. Jan 8 1998;338(2):79-85. [Medline].
Kavakli K, Makris M, Zulfikar B, Erhardtsen E, Abrams ZS, Kenet G. Home treatment of haemarthroses using a single dose regimen of recombinant activated factor VII in patients with haemophilia and inhibitors. A multi-centre, randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Thromb Haemost. Apr 2006;95(4):600-5. [Medline].
Mariani G, Herrmann FH, Bernardi F, et al. Clinical manifestations, management, and molecular genetics in congenitalfactor VII deficiency: the International Registry on Congenital Factor VII Deficiency (IRF7). Blood. Jul 1 2000;96(1):374. [Medline].
Roberts HR, Monroe DM, White GC. The use of recombinant factor VIIa in the treatment of bleeding disorders. Blood. Dec 15 2004;104(13):3858-64. [Medline].

