Purpose of review: Despite advances in the care of the injured, the morbidity and mortality of traumatic hemorrhage remain a significant problem. Traumatologists continue to look for ways to treat bleeding and prevent the sequelae of hemorrhagic shock. Recombinant factor VIIa, developed for the treatment of patients with hemophilia, has been used with some success in acute bleeding associated with injuries.
Recent findings: The mechanism of action is via a tissue factor-dependent effect and/or platelet activation. Coagulation occurs at the site of tissue injury, where tissue factor is exposed. Case series have described the beneficial effects of recombinant factor VIIa in the treatment of acute hemorrhage, early treatment of traumatic brain injury, and reversal of premorbid anticoagulation. In addition, there have been numerous reports of recombinant factor VIIa use in acute bleeds secondary to other causes as well as some evidence that recombinant factor VIIa may be efficacious when used prophylactically in high-risk patients and for high-risk procedures. Typical doses range from 50 to 100 microg/kg as a single bolus. Although there has been concern over the risk of inappropriate thrombosis with recombinant factor VIIa administration, this complication has seldom been described in published series.
Summary: Although case experience is encouraging, no level 1 evidence has been published that demonstrates clinical or economic benefit of the use of recombinant factor VIIa in trauma patients. Many questions remain to be answered, ideally through randomized, prospective clinical trials. In particular, the issues of patient selection, ideal dosing, and factors associated with futile administration need to be elucidated.