Use of drotrecogin alfa (activated) in older patients with severe sepsis

Drotrecogin alfa (activated) has been approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for treatment of patients at high risk of death from severe sepsis. Severe sepsis is common, and its occurrence increases dramatically with age. Clinical use data, however, suggest that drotrecogin alfa (activated) may be underused in older patients, possibly due to concern over the drug's anticoagulant effects and perceived high cost. In addition, clinicians often treat older patients less aggressively than younger patients. We reviewed a subgroup analysis of patients aged 75 years and older from a large clinical trial evaluating efficacy and safety of drotrecogin alfa (activated), as well as cost-effectiveness data from real-world clinical use of the drug in older patients. We also explored ethical dilemmas of treating older patients with sepsis. Drotrecogin alfa (activated) is safe, effective, and cost-effective in older patients with severe sepsis and should be considered for elderly intensive care patients who are high risk of death and who have no contraindications to treatment.