Recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven): addition to replacement therapy in acute, uncontrolled and life-threatening bleeding.

Over the last seven years there has been increasing number of case reports and studies documenting the effectiveness and safety of using rFVIIa (NovoSeven) in treating non-hemophiliac patients with severe uncontrolled bleeding due to surgery or trauma. However, there is still no agreed protocol on when to use rFVIIa, the correct dose and which patients would benefit from it. This study has followed a protocol for using rFVIIa, implementing a scoring system for the assessment and monitoring of coagulopathy. In addition, one hematologist/blood transfusion specialist was monitoring the patients. There were 13 patients over a period of 2 years, and transfusion requirements reduced after using rFVIIa. The coagulopathy score was seen to correlate with response to rFVIIa. This study gives a good example of how to use and monitor therapy with rFVIIa.

– Maadh Aldouri