Application of recombinant activated factor VII during surgery for a giant skull base hemangiopericytoma to achieve safe hemostasis. Case report.

This is an interesting case report on the use of rFVIIa in treating uncontrollable surgical bleeding in a patient not known to have a pre-existing coagulopathy. The patient had a recurrent hemangiopericytoma and bleeding did not respond to transfusing a large number of blood products. He eventually responded to two doses of rFVIIa (120 μg/kg) 2 hours apart. There were no associated side effects. Mechanism of action is postulated to be due to excess thrombin activation and platelet activation locally at the site of injury.

– M. Aldouri.