Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Tail Vein Transection Bleeding Model in Fully Anesthetized Hemophilia A Mice
08:13

Tail Vein Transection Bleeding Model in Fully Anesthetized Hemophilia A Mice

Published on: September 30, 2021

Prevention of intraventricular haemorrhage: a role for recombinant activated factor VII?

Jeremy D Robertson1

  • 1Haematology Department, Queensland Health Pathology Services, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. jeremy_robertson@health.qld.gov.au

Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health
|June 2, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Recombinant activated factor VII (rVIIa) may prevent severe intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in extremely preterm infants. Early prophylactic administration of rVIIa is explored as a strategy to improve survival quality in premature neonates.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal medicine
  • Hematology
  • Pediatric critical care

Background:

  • Improving survival rates in extremely preterm infants necessitates a focus on quality of life.
  • Intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is a significant challenge in managing premature neonates, with potential long-term complications.
  • Recombinant activated factor VII (rVIIa) is a hemostatic agent with emerging applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the pathogenesis and prevention of IVH in preterm infants.
  • To discuss current understanding of neonatal hemostasis.
  • To explore the potential role of rVIIa in preventing severe IVH in extremely preterm neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on IVH, neonatal hemostasis, and rVIIa.
  • Summary of published data on rVIIa use in neonates.
  • Exploration of the hypothesis for prophylactic rVIIa administration.

Main Results:

  • Data on rVIIa use in neonates is limited but being summarized.
  • The review examines the mechanism of action and applications of rVIIa.
  • The potential benefit of prophylactic rVIIa for reducing severe IVH is under investigation.

Conclusions:

  • Further research is needed to establish the efficacy and safety of prophylactic rVIIa in extremely preterm infants.
  • rVIIa presents a potential therapeutic option for preventing severe IVH.
  • Improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in survivors of extreme prematurity is a key goal.

Related Concept Videos

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care01:29

Venous Thrombosis III: Interprofessional Care

Venous thrombosis requires effective prevention and treatment strategies to improve patient outcomes and reduce potential complications.Prevention StrategiesHealthcare providers must prioritize preventing venous thromboembolism (VTE) for all adult patients upon admission. Interventions depend on bleeding and thrombosis risk, medical history, current medications, diagnoses, planned procedures, and patient preferences. Patients on bed rest should change positions every two hours and, if not...
Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins01:30

Anticoagulant Drugs: Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins

Hemostasis is a crucial process that prevents excessive blood loss from damaged blood vessels. It involves various mechanisms such as vasoconstriction, platelet adhesion and activation, and fibrin formation. The importance of each mechanism depends on the type of vessel injury. In contrast, thrombosis is the abnormal formation of a blood clot within the blood vessels, leading to potential complications if the clot obstructs blood flow. Thrombosis can be caused by increased coagulability of the...
Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management01:30

Venous Thrombosis IV: Nursing Management

Nursing management begins with a thorough assessment of the patient's health history. Key factors include trauma to veins, peripherally inserted central catheters, varicose veins, recent pregnancy or childbirth, surgery, bacteremia, prolonged bed rest, atrial fibrillation, COPD, heart failure, cancer, coagulation disorders, myocardial infarction, spinal cord injury, stroke, prolonged travel, recent bone fractures, and dehydration. Review medication intake, particularly oral contraceptives,...
Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis01:16

Clot Retraction and Fibrinolysis

After a fibrin clot is formed, the next step is clot retraction, a vital process facilitated by platelet contractile proteins, such as actin and myosin. These proteins pull the fibrin strands closer together and condense the clot. This action reduces the size of the clot, creating a smaller, denser structure that effectively seals off the damaged vessel. Clot retraction consolidates the clot and helps with wound healing by bringing the edges of the damaged blood vessel closer together.
Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants01:18

Anticoagulant Drugs: Vitamin K Antagonists and Direct Oral Anticoagulants

Oral anticoagulants are vital tools in preventing and treating blood clotting disorders. This diverse class of medications can be categorized as vitamin K antagonists, exemplified by warfarin, and direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs), such as dabigatran, as well as factor Xa inhibitors, including rivaroxaban.
Warfarin, a prominent vitamin K antagonist family member, exerts its effect by inhibiting the enzyme VKORC1 (vitamin K epoxide reductase complex 1). By hindering this enzyme, warfarin...
Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care01:29

Pulmonary Embolism II: Diagnostic Studies and Interprofessional Care

Diagnosing Pulmonary EmbolismDiagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) involves clinical assessment and advanced imaging tests. The preferred diagnostic tool is the spiral (helical) CT scan or CT angiography (CTA), which uses intravenous contrast media to visualize the pulmonary vasculature and identify emboli.A ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scan is an alternative for patients unable to receive contrast media. This scan includes both perfusion and ventilation scanning. Perfusion scanning involves...