Reduced transfusion requirements by recombinant factor VIIa in orthotopic liver transplantation

Herman G.D. Hendriks, Karina Meijer, Joost Th M. De Wolf, Ids J. Klompmaker, Robert J. Porte, Pieter Jan De Kam, Ans J.M. Hagenaars, Tina Melsen, Maarten J.H. Slooff, Jan Van der Meer

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244 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background. Large transfusion requirements, i.e., excessive blood loss, during orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) are correlated witlh increased morbidity and mortality. Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been shown to improve hemostasis in a variety of conditions, but has never been studied in liver transplantation. Methods. We performed a single-center, open-label, pilot study in adult patients undergoing OLT for cirrhosis Child-Pugh B or C, to assess efficacy and safety of rFVIIa. rFVIIa (80 μg/kg) was administered at the start of the operation, to be repeated according to predefined criteria. Packed red blood cells (RBC), fresh-frozen plasma, and platelet concentrates were administered according to predefined criteria. Perioperative transfusion requirements in study patients were compared with matched controls. Results. Six patients were enrolled in the study. All received a single dose of rFVIIa. Transfusion requirements (given as median, with range in parentheses) were lower in the study group than in matched controls: 1.5 (0-5) vs. 7 (2-18) units of allogeneic RBC (P=0.006), 0 (0-2) vs. 3.5 (0-23) units of autologous RBC (P=0.043), total amount of RBC 3 (0-5) vs. 9 (4-40) units (P=0.002). Transfused fresh-frozen plasma was 1 (0-7) vs. 8 (2-35) units (P=0.011). Blood loss was 3.5 L (1.4=5.3) vs. 9.8 L (3.7=35.0) (P=0.004). One study patient developed a hepatic artery thrombosis at day 1 postoperatively. Conclusions. A single dose of 80 μg/kg rFVIIa signifcantly reduced transfusion requirements during OLT. Further study is needed to establish the optimally effective and safe dose of rFVIIa in orthotopic liver transplantation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)402-405
Number of pages4
JournalTransplantation
Volume71
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Feb 2001
Externally publishedYes

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