[Recombinant activated factor VII in the postanesthetic recovery unit: review of 16 cases]

We describe a series of 16 cases in which recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) was used in our postanesthetic recovery unit. The mean age of the patients was 53.5 years (range, 30-84 years). Eleven were men and 5 women. The mean dose of rFVIIa used was 75 microg x kg(-1) (range, 60-90 microg x kg(-1)) and 25% of the patients needed a second dose. All the patients had postoperative bleeding, 62.5% after general surgery, 25% after a liver transplant, and 12.5% after a lung transplant. rFVIIa therapy was effective in 66% of the patients and no adverse thrombotic events related to treatment were observed. rFVIIa can be an efficacious therapeutic option for bleeding and coagulation disorders that are refractory to conventional replacement therapy. Approval to use rFVIIa in this setting and the establishment of indications should be based on further research.