Background: This study describes the current use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) for hemorrhage after trauma in the United States. We hypothesized that we could describe the setting in which rFVIIa would be most successful in arresting hemorrhage after injury.
Study design: This case registry study of patients with traumatic injuries at risk for death from hemorrhage at Level I and II trauma centers in the United States analyzed the administration of rFVIIa from admission to death from hemorrhage. Secondary outcomes measures of interest were the use of blood products, days in the ICU, organ failure, and thrombotic complications.
Results: Three hundred and eighty injured patients who received rFVIIa as an adjunct for hemorrhage control were included in this analysis. The mean time from admission to administration of rFVIIa was 4.6 hours, with an average transfusion of 18 U blood before administration (range 0 to 99 U). Death from hemorrhage rate was 30%. Predictors of a poor response to rFVIIa were a pH <7.2 (p < 0.0001), a platelet count <100,000 (p = 0.046), and blood pressure ≤90 mmHg (p < 0.0001) at the time of administration.
Conclusions: Based on this case registry review, the precise role of rFVIIa in traumatic hemorrhage is unclear. Surgeons choosing to use this drug as an adjunctive measure to reverse coagulopathy are advised to first correct shock, acidosis, and thrombocytopenia.
Copyright © 2011 American College of Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.