Recombinant activated factor VII in cardiac surgery: a systematic review

Department of BioSurgery and Surgical Technology, Imperial College Faculty of Medicine, St. Mary's Hospital, London, United Kingdom.

Annals of Thoracic Surgery. 2007;83((2):):707-14.
Abstract
Postoperative hemorrhage is a common complication in cardiac surgery, and it is associated with a considerable increase in morbidity, mortality, and cost. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is an emerging hemostatic agent, increasingly used in cardiac surgery. This article systematically reviews the evidence regarding the efficacy, safety, and cost of rFVIIa in this setting. Although definitive evidence from randomized controlled trials is lacking, the use of r FVIIa in patients experiencing refractory postoperative hemorrhage seems promising and relatively safe. However further research is required to definitively establish its clinical utility in the postoperative cardiac patient.
Study details
Study Design : Systematic Review
Credits : Bibliographic data from MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine