Recombinant Factor VIIa: An Assessment of Evidence Regarding Its Efficacy and Safety in the Off-Label Setting

Efficacy and Safety of Recombinant Activated Factor VII Off-label Use in a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Cohort

BACKGROUND

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) has been used off-label to treat or prevent severe bleeding in patients for whom conventional treatments are unsuccessful. However, studies in children remain limited.

PROCEDURE

To examine the efficacy and safety of rFVIIa, we performed a retrospective analysis of rFVIIa off-label use in a pediatric hematology/oncology cohort at a single center from 2006 to 2014.

RESULTS

Of 58 patients identified, 46 (79.3%) received rFVIIa to treat bleeding and 12 (20.7%) to prevent bleeding. Thirty-three (71.7%) patients had life-threatening bleeding. In the treatment group, 63.0% patients were responders (ie, bleeding decreased or stopped) and 37.0% were nonresponders (ie, bleeding did not change). Blood products usage was similar between responders and nonresponders. After rFVIIa administration, prothrombin time, partial thromboplastin time and lactate were significantly lower, but fibrinogen was significantly higher in responders than nonresponders. Venous thromboembolism developed in 5.2% (3/58) patients, but its relation to rFVIIa remains unclear. Responders had significantly lower mortality than nonresponders (17.2% vs. 82.4%, P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

rFVIIa controlled most bleeding events in this cohort, despite predominance of life-threatening bleeding, suggesting good efficacy. Venous thromboembolism rate was low. Further studies are warranted to identify predictors of favorable response to rFVIIa in similar patients.

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in refractory haemorrhage for non-haemophiliacs: an eleven-year single-centre experience

Background

Massive bleeding is one of the commonest salvageable causes of death. The search for an ideal haemostatic agent during massive bleeding is still ongoing. One of the novel haemostatic medications is recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). To date, the usage of rFVIIa during massive haemorrhage among non-haemophiliac patients remains off-label. The aim of this study is to report our experience in using rFVIIa to treat refractory bleeding.

Methods

Medical records of all patients treated with rFVIIa for massive bleeding over an eleven-year period in a single institution were recorded. Treatment indications, 24-h and 30-day mortality, changes in transfusion needs and coagulation profiles after rFVIIa administration were analysed.

Results

rFVIIa were administered in 76 patients. Of these, 41 (53.9%) were non-surgical bleeding, followed by 22 patients (28.9%) with trauma, other surgery bleedings in 9 patients (11.8%) and 4 patients (5.4%) with peripartum haemorrhage. Total survival rate was 78.9% within 24 h and 44.7% over 30 days. Among all these patients who had received rFVIIa due to life-threatening haemorrhage, blood and blood product requirements were significantly reduced (P < 0.001), and the coagulation profiles improved significantly (P < 0.05). Two patients with preexisting thromboembolism were given rFVIIa due to intractable bleeding, both survived. No thromboembolic events were reported after the administration of rFVIIa.

Conclusions

rFVIIa significantly improved coagulation parameters and reduced blood product requirements during refractory haemorrhage. Additionally, usage of rFVIIa in trauma and peripartum haemorrhage patients yield better outcomes than other groups of patients. However, the overall mortality rate remained high.

Successful Control of Massive Bleeding in a Child with Burkitt's Lymphoma via a Biosimilar Recombinant Activated Factor VII (AryoSeven™)

We describe a case of a 4-year-old girl with Burkitt's lymphoma, who suffered from a massive gastrointestinal hemorrhage 3 days after chemotherapy. In spite of applying the common practice in correction of coagulopathy, thrombocytopenia persisted and bleeding became life-threatening. In the present case report, we report a successful control of bleeding with a single-dose administration of a biosimilar recombinant activated human factor VII (AryoSeven).

Safety and efficacy of recombinant activated factor VII in nonhemophilia children with severe or life-threatening bleeding: a report from the SeveNBleeP registry

We evaluated efficacy and safety of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in nonhemophilia children with life-threatening or severe bleeding. Using data from the SeveNBleeP registry, we analyzed demographic, clinical, laboratory, and treatment data for children who received rFVIIa to treat severe hemorrhage. The SeveNBleeP registry was international registry formed in 2005, to collect information on the use of rFVIIa in the off-label setting of severe bleeding in nonhemophilia patients. There were 191 patient records entered into this registry, of which 164 were validated. Of the 164 records, in 137 patient records, rFVIIa was used for treatment of bleeding episodes. Of these 137 treatment episodes, 42 were in neonates and infants under 1 year of age. Use of rFVIIa significantly improved laboratory parameters (prothrombin time, international normalized ratio, activated partial thromboplastin time, hematocrit), reduced estimated blood loss, and reduced requirements for blood products (packed red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma) in those more than 1 year of age. There was no significant reduction in requirements for blood products after rFVIIa administration in the neonates and infants, but there was a trend to lower frequency of FFP use after rFVIIa administration. There was one thromboembolic event in an infant that was related to administration of rFVIIa. No other serious adverse events were reported that were related to administration of rFVIIa. In nonhemophilia-associated bleeding in children, rFVIIa appears to be safe and efficacious in reducing estimated blood loss in children over 1 year of age, although its effectiveness in infants below 1 year of age was less clear.

[Perioperative management of direct oral anticoagulant in emergency surgery and bleeding. Haemostasis monitoring and treatment]

There is an almost unanimous consensus on the management of the direct new oral anticoagulants, dabigatran, rivaroxaban, and apixaban in elective surgery. However, this general consensus does not exist in relation with the direct new oral anticoagulants use in emergency surgery, especially in the bleeding patient. For this reason, a literature review was performed using the MEDLINE-PubMed. An analysis was made of the journal articles, reviews, systematic reviews, and practices guidelines published between 2000 and 2014 using the terms "monitoring" and "reversal". From this review, it was shown that the routine tests of blood coagulation, such as the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time, have a limited efficacy in the perioperative control of blood coagulation in these patients. There is currently no antidote to reverse the effects of these drugs, although the possibility of using concentrated prothrombin complex and recombinant activated factor vii has been suggested for the urgent reversal of the anticoagulant effect.

Factor VIIa binding to endothelial cell protein C receptor protects vascular barrier integrity in vivo

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that factor VIIa binds to endothelial cell protein C receptor(EPCR), a cellular receptor for protein C and activated protein C. At present, the physiologic significance of FVIIa interaction with EPCR in vivo remains unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether exogenously administered FVIIa, by binding to EPCR, induces a barrier protective effect in vivo.

METHODS

Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced vascular leakage in the lung and kidney,and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-induced vascular leakage in the skin, were used to evaluate the FVIIa-induced barrier protective effect. Wild-type, EPCR-deficient, EPCR-overexpressing and hemophilia A mice were used in the studies.

RESULTS

Administration ofFVIIa reduced LPS-induced vascular leakage in the lung and kidney; the FVIIa-induced barrier protective effect was attenuated in EPCR-deficient mice. The extent of VEGF-induced vascular leakage in the skin was highly dependent on EPCR expression levels. Therapeutic concentrations of FVIIa attenuated VEGF-induced vascular leakage in control mice but not in EPCR-deficient mice.Blockade of FVIIa binding to EPCR with a blocking mAb completely attenuated the FVIIa-induced barrier protective effect. Similarly, administration of protease activated receptor 1 antagonist blocked the FVIIa induced barrier protective effect. Hemophilic mice showed increased vascular permeability, and administration of therapeutic concentrations of FVIIa improved barrier integrity in these mice.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first study to demonstrate that FVIIa binding to EPCR leads to a barrier protective effect in vivo. This finding may have clinical relevance, as it indicates additional advantages of using FVIIa in treating hemophilic patients.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Plasma Versus Recombinant Factor VIIa for Placing Intracranial Pressure Monitors in Pretransplant Patients With Acute Liver Failure

Both plasma- and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa)-based algorithms can be used to correct coagulopathy in preliver transplant patients with acute liver failure requiring intracranial pressure monitor (ICPM) placement. A decision model was created to compare the cost-effectiveness of these methods. A 70-kg patient could receive either 1 round of plasma followed by coagulation testing or 2 units of plasma and 40 μg/kg rFVIIa. Intracranial pressure monitor is placed without coagulation testing after rFVIIa administration. In the plasma algorithm, the probability of ICPM placement was estimated based on expected international normalized ratio (INR) after plasma administration. Risks of rFVIIa thrombosis and transfusion reactions were also included. The model was run for patients with INRs ranging from 2 to 6 with concomitant adjustments to model parameters. The model supported the initial use of rFVIIa for ICPM placement as a cost-effective treatment when INR ≥2 (with incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of at most US$7088.02).

Recombinant activated factor VII in patients with acute liver failure with UNOS Status 1A: a single tertiary academic centre experience

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is often used in off-label indications, including many situations in which the patients are at risk of thrombosis. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the use of rFVIIa in patients with acute liver failure - UNOS Status 1A (ALF-1A) to determine its efficacy and safety profile.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Using the transplantation records, all adult patients with ALF-1A were identified from 6/2001 to 3/2009. From patients' medical charts, rFVIIa dose, blood component usage, short-term outcomes [length of intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital stay, ability to undergo orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) and in-hospital survival rate] and adverse events were examined.

RESULTS

Forty-two patients with ALF-1A were identified. Fifteen patients received rFVIIa with doses ranging between 24·4 μg/kg and 126·8 μg/kg. Three patients received two doses of rFVIIa. The age, baseline activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and platelet (PLT) count were not statistically different between the group receiving rFVIIa versus the group that did not. However, the prothrombin time (PT) was significantly higher in the rFVIIa group. Although the rFVIIa group stayed in the ICU longer and required significant more blood products during admission, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of length of hospital stay, ability to undergo OLT and survival rate. There was no increase in complications, including thrombosis, after receiving rFVIIa.

CONCLUSION

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) appears to be safe in patients with ALF-1A, but to elucidate its full role, a randomized controlled trial would be ideal.

Prediction score for effective bleeding control using recombinant activated factor VII in perioperative nonhemophilic patients

BACKGROUND

Although there has been growing evidence from off-label use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in surgical bleeding, there is limited information on prediction scores.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted from 2004 to 2009. The primary outcome was efficacy of bleeding control. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to develop a new prediction score for success of rFVIIa.

RESULTS

A total of 320 bleeding episodes from 243 nonhemophilic patients who underwent surgery were analyzed. Effective bleeding control was demonstrated in 153 patients. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 40%. Multivariate analysis identified 4 independent predictors for effective bleeding control: timing of rFVIIa administration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative international normalization ratio values, and total units of platelets transfused. A rFVIIa success prediction score was developed.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of this new prediction score may support decision making by identifying patients with a high probability of obtaining effective bleeding control from rFVIIa therapy.

Current State of Knowledge on Oral Anticoagulant Reversal Using Procoagulant Factors

OBJECTIVE:

To discuss current trends and challenges in the use of procoagulants for treating bleeding caused by use of oral anticoagulants.

DATA SOURCES:

Literature searches of PubMed (MEDLINE), Google, and Medscape were conducted in February 2013. There were no date limitations. Search terms included anticoagulation agents, anticoagulation reversal, anticoagulation reversal agents, apixaban, clinical studies, dabigatran, 3-factor PCCs, 4-factor PCCs, FEIBA, fresh frozen plasma, human studies, pharmacology, prescribing information, rFVIIa, rivaroxaban, vitamin K, and warfarin.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Warfarin has been the mainstay for the treatment and prevention of primary and secondary thrombosis in patients with cardiovascular disorders such as atrial fibrillation, deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke. Three oral anticoagulants have recently become available in the US: a direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran etexilate, and 2 direct factor Xa inhibitors, rivaroxaban and apixaban. Reversal strategies for anticoagulant-associated bleeding are well established for warfarin; however, strategies to stop bleeding in a patient who has taken one of the newer anticoagulants are less clear. In the US, agents available for oral anticoagulant reversal include activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC), 3-factor PCCs, and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa). Few studies have evaluated the 3-factor PCCs, and current evidence for APCC and rFVIIa as reversal agents for dabigatran and rivaroxaban is based primarily on laboratory or animal studies, or on small studies in healthy humans and case reports.

CONCLUSIONS:

Patients contemplating using the new oral anticoagulants should be informed about specific clinical situations that could pose a bleeding risk such as the need for emergency surgery because no reliable antidote is available to stop the bleeding, which could prove fatal.

Recombinant activated factor VII use in critically ill patients: clinical outcomes and thromboembolic events

BACKGROUND

Hemorrhage and coagulopathy are associated with morbidity and mortality in critically ill patients. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is frequently used in these situations to control bleeding; however, few controlled clinical trials have demonstrated clinical benefit and prolonged survival.

OBJECTIVE

To compare clinical outcomes and thromboembolic events in intensive care unit (ICU) patients who received rFVIIa versus ICU patients who did not between 2000 and 2005.

METHODS

A total of 2918 nonhemophiliac adult ICU patients, which included 1459 who received at least 1 dose of rFVIIa and 1459 matched controls who did not, were included in a retrospective database study. Data were extracted from the Solucient ACTracker database, which included 550 hospitals across the US. Measures included patient demographics, rFVIIa prescribing, death, thromboembolic events, discharge disposition, length of stay, and transfusion data.

RESULTS

The most common primary diagnoses for patients receiving rFVIIa included traumatic brain injury, cirrhosis, and nontraumatic intracranial hemorrhage. Patients receiving rFVIIa were more likely to have comorbidities, including mechanical ventilation, acute kidney injury, sepsis, hemodialysis, and gastrointestinal bleeding (p < 0.0001). The average rFVIIa dose was 4.8 mg and 82% of patients received 1 dose. Compared to controls, patients receiving rFVIIa had greater odds of death (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.8-2.6, p < 0.0001), transfusion (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.8-2.5, p < 0.0001), and longer length of stay (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in thromboembolic events between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

While we cannot show direct causality between rFVIIa and the poor clinical outcomes documented in ICU patients, they provide important insight for critical care clinicians.

Recent advances in paediatric cardiac anaesthesia

Paediatric cardiac anaesthesia involves anaesthetizing very small children with complex congenital heart disease for major surgical procedures. The unique nature of this patient population requires considerable expertise and in-depth knowledge of the altered physiology. There have been several developments in the last decade in this subspecialty that has contributed to better care and improved outcome in this vulnerable group of patients. The purpose of this review is to present some of the recent advances in the anesthetic management of these children from preoperative evaluation to postoperative care. This article reviews the role of magnetic resonance imaging and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance angiography in preoperative evaluation, the use of ultrasound to secure vascular access, the use of cuffed endotracheal tubes, the optimal haematocrit and the role of blood products, including the use of recombinant factor VIIa. It also deals with the advances in technology that have led to improved monitoring, the newer developments in cardiopulmonary bypass, the use of centrifugal pumps and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and the role of DHCA. The role of new drugs, especially the α-2 agonists in paediatric cardiac anesthetic practice, fast tracking and effective postoperative pain management have also been reviewed.

Current status of pharmacologic therapies in patient blood management

Patient blood management(1,2) incorporates patient-centered, evidence-based medical and surgical approaches to improve patient outcomes by relying on the patient's own (autologous) blood rather than allogeneic blood. Particular attention is paid to preemptive measures such as anemia management. The emphasis on the approaches being "patient-centered" is to distinguish them from previous approaches in transfusion medicine, which have been "product-centered" and focused on blood risks, costs, and inventory concerns rather than on patient outcomes. Patient blood management(3) structures its goals by avoiding blood transfusion(4) with effective use of alternatives to allogeneic blood transfusion.(5) These alternatives include autologous blood procurement, preoperative autologous blood donation, acute normovolemic hemodilution, and intra/postoperative red blood cell (RBC) salvage and reinfusion. Reviewed here are the available pharmacologic tools for anemia and blood management: erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs), iron therapy, hemostatic agents, and potentially, artificial oxygen carriers.

Off-label use of recombinant factor VIIa in two tertiary hospitals in Queensland

BACKGROUND

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) is used for many off-label indications without high quality evidence to support its efficacy. The aim of this study was to determine indications for use of off-label rFVIIa, efficacy and safety, and adherence to institutional guidelines.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective review of off-label rFVIIa at two tertiary hospitals from 2007 to 2010.

RESULTS

One hundred forty-five administrations were identified and analysed. Haemorrhage associated with cardiac surgery made up one-third of all rFVIIa usage, with trauma (20%) and other surgery (11%) the next most frequent indications. Compared with all others, cardiac surgery patients were older (60.0 years versus 47.4 years, P < 0.001) and had lower pre-rFVIIa transfusion requirements, a higher subjective response rate (88% versus 46%, P < 0.001) and lower mortality rates (6.1% versus 33%, P < 0.001), but higher rates of arterial thrombormbolic events (16.7% versus 2.1%, P = 0.002). Most patients received only one or two doses (n = 137; 95%), with no subject receiving a third or subsequent dose having an appreciable reduction in bleeding. Only a small number of patients (n = 15; 10.3%) had rFVIIa administered in accordance with our institutions' guidelines.

CONCLUSION

Patients administered rFVIIa for haemorrhage not associated with cardiac surgery were severely unwell. Despite lack of evidence, administration of rFVIIa may be justified by the high mortality rate, but more than two doses are unlikely to provide further benefit. The high rate of arterial thromboembolism in cardiac surgical patients raises risk-benefit considerations. Adherence to our institutions' guidelines was poor.

A reappraisal of plasma, prothrombin complex concentrates, and recombinant factor VIIa in patient blood management

Plasma therapy and plasma products such as prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs), and recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) are used in the setting of massive or refractory hemorrhage. Their roles have evolved because of newly emerging options, variable availability, and heterogeneity in guidelines. These factors can be attributable to lack of evidence-based support for a defined role for plasma therapy, variability in coagulation factor content among PCCs, and uncertainty regarding safety and efficacy of rFVIIa in these settings. This review summarizes these issues and provides insight regarding use of these options in management of refractory or massive bleeding.

[Management of bleeding disorders in intensive care medicine]

Bleeding disorders are frequent in intensive care medicine, the most common form being acquired. Trauma, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver failure, hematologic malignancies, and adverse drug reactions play an important role. Moderate to severe hereditary bleeding disorders are usually known prior to the acute disease state, while mild hereditary forms may manifest for the first time in association with the acute stress condition. Generally, proper history taking and structured observation are decisive in order to conduct an appropriate diagnostic workup and initiate logical hemostatic management. One cannot always wait for laboratory results during continuous blood loss or conditions such as hypothermia and acidosis. In such cases, pathophysiological extrapolation of expected hemostatic disturbances is essential for timely hemostatic management.

How I treat warfarin-associated coagulopathy in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage

Intracerebral hemorrhage in patients with warfarin-associated coagulopathy is an increasingly common life-threatening condition that requires emergent management. The evolution of therapeutic options in this setting, as well as recently published guidelines, has resulted in some heterogeneity in recommendations by professional societies. This heterogeneity can be attributed to lack of evidence-based support for plasma therapy; the variability in availability of prothrombin complex concentrates; the variability in the coagulation factor levels and contents of prothrombin complex concentrates; ambiguity about the optimal dose and route of administration of vitamin K; and the lack of standardized clinical care pathways, particularly in community hospitals, for the management of these critical care patients. In this review, we summarize the relevant literature about these controversies and present recommendations for management of patients with warfarin-associated coagulopathy and intracerebral hemorrhage.

Bleeding and clotting disorders in pediatric liver disease

The coagulopathy of liver disease in pediatric patients presents an unusual set of challenges. Little pediatric data have been published, so this review is based largely on adult studies. There is a precarious balance between deficiencies of clotting factors and anticoagulation factors in liver disease that result in abnormal prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) tests that would suggest a bleeding tendency, yet the patients can form a clot and are at risk of thromboembolic disease. Attention has centered on thromboelastography and thrombin-generation assays to clarify the patient's ability to control bleeding, but these tests are not routinely available to many treating physicians.