1.
Recombinant Activated Factor VII (rFVIIa) for Bleeding After Thoracic Aortic Surgery: A Scoping Review of Current Literature
Navarro, R., Bojic, S., Fatima, R., El-Tahan, M., El-Diasty, M.
Journal of cardiothoracic and vascular anesthesia. 2023
Abstract
BACKGROUND Bleeding after surgery on the thoracic aorta is a frequent complication, and can be associated with a significant increase in morbidity and mortality. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) was developed initially for treating patients with hemophilia; however, it has been used increasingly "off-label" to achieve hemostasis after thoracic aortic procedures. OBJECTIVE This scoping review aimed to present the available literature on the role of rFVIIa in the management of refractory postoperative bleeding after thoracic aortic surgery. METHODS/RESULTS An electronic database search was conducted using Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar in June 2023. The authors included studies that reported the use of rFVIIa in patients undergoing surgical repair of ascending or descending aortic aneurysm or dissection. Single-case reports were excluded. Ten publications with a pooled number of 649 patients (319 patients received rFVIIa and 330 in the control groups) were identified: 3 case series, 6 retrospective studies, and 1 nonrandomized clinical trial. All studies reported the potential role of rFVIIa in correcting coagulopathy and reducing postoperative blood loss in this group of patients. Overall, there was not enough evidence to suggest that rFVIIa was associated with higher rates of thromboembolic complications or mortality. CONCLUSION Limited evidence suggests that rFVIIa may be useful in managing postoperative refractory bleeding in patients undergoing thoracic aortic surgery. However, the impact of rFVIIa on thromboembolic complications and mortality rates remains unclear.
2.
Recombinant activated Factor VII increases stroke in cardiac surgery: a meta-analysis
Ponschab M, Landoni G, Biondi-Zoccai G, Bignami E, Frati E, Nicolotti D, Monaco F, Pappalardo F, Zangrillo A
Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. 2011;25((5):):804-10.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is used in various surgical procedures to reduce the incidence of major blood loss and the need for re-exploration. Few clinical trials have investigated rFVIIa in cardiac surgery. The authors performed a meta-analysis focusing on the rate of stroke and surgical re-exploration. DESIGN Meta-analysis. SETTING Hospitals. PARTICIPANTS A total of 470 patients. INTERVENTIONS None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS Four investigators independently searched PubMed and conference proceedings including backward snowballing (ie, scanning of reference of retrieved articles and pertinent reviews) and contacted international experts. A total of 470 patients (254 receiving rFVIIa and 216 controls) from 6 clinical trials (2 randomized, 3 propensity matched, and 1 case matched) were included in the analysis. The use of rFVIIa was associated with an increased rate of stroke (12/254 [4.7%] in the rFVIIa group v 2/216 [0.9%] in the control arm, odds ratio [OR] = 3.69 [1.1-12.38], p = 0.03) with a nonsignificant reduction in rate of surgical re-exploration (13% v 42% [OR = 0.27 (0.04-1.9), p = 0.19]). The authors observed a trend toward an increase of overall perioperative thromboembolic events (19/254 [7.5%] in the rFVIIa group v 10/216 [5.6%] in the control arm [OR = 1.84 (0.82-4.09), p = 0.14]). No difference in the rate of death was observed. CONCLUSIONS The administration of rFVIIa in cardiac surgery patients could result in a significant increase of stroke with a trend toward a reduction of the need for surgical re-exploration. The authors do not recommend routine use in cardiac surgery patients. rFVIIa may be considered with caution in patients with refractory life-threatening bleeding. Copyright Copyright 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
3.
Defining the role of recombinant activated factor VII in pediatric cardiac surgery: where should we go from here?
Warren OJ, Rogers PL, Watret AL, de Wit KL, Darzi AW, Gill R, Athanasiou T
Pediatric Critical Care Medicine. 2009;10((5):):572-82.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Postoperative hemorrhage is a recognized complication of pediatric cardiac surgery. Both the immature coagulation system and increased susceptibility to hemodilution increase the likelihood of pediatric patients developing coagulopathy when compared with adult counterparts. Treatment options remain limited. Recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) is a hemostatic agent increasingly used to reduce hemorrhage in other surgical settings, the role of which is unclear in this population. This article systematically reviews the published literature on the use of rFVIIa in pediatric cardiac surgery. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SELECTION A systematic literature search identified reports of rFVIIa administration in pediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery. Where possible, individual patient-specific data were extracted and pooled statistical analysis was performed. DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS Twenty-nine articles reporting on the administration of rFVIIa to 169 patients were identified. rFVIIa has been administered to patients with predefined congenital abnormalities of hemostasis to arrest hemorrhage refractory to other interventions and prophylactically in the hope of reducing blood loss. Treatment regimens vary widely, in terms of both first and cumulative dose. Data on chest tube blood loss and two markers of coagulation were pooled and analyzed, and significant improvements were demonstrated. Mortality was 4.4% for the entire cohort but 20% of patients on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation suffered significant thromboembolic complications. CONCLUSIONS rFVIIa has an increasingly accepted role in the management of patients with congenital coagulopathies undergoing major surgery. However, randomized trials are required to define the role of rFVIIa as an adjunct to control major hemorrhage in the pediatric cardiac surgical population. Any future work must focus not only on benefits but also on patient safety, particularly, risk of morbid thromboembolic complication.
4.
Recombinant activated factor VII in cardiac surgery: a systematic review
Warren O, Mandal K, Hadjianastassiou V, Knowlton L, Panesar S, John K, Darzi A, Athanasiou T
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.