Use of recombinant factor VIIa during excision of vascular anomalies

The surgical excision of vascular anomalies is often accompanied with significant perioperative bleeding. Novel hemostatic agents, including recombinant factor VIIa (rVIIa), have been shown to reduce bleeding in hemophilia and trauma patients along with decreasing blood loss during various surgical procedures. The role of rVIIa during excision of vascular anomalies has not been examined.

A retrospective chart review of patients from 2001 to 2003 who received perioperative rVIIa during excision of vascular anomalies at one institution.

Nine patients were identified who received perioperative rVIIa during removal of their vascular anomalies (7 venous malformations, 1 lymphatic-venous malformation, 1 arteriovenous malformation). All patients received at least one dose of rVIIa during the perioperative period (2/9 received 2 doses). An accurate account of hourly blood loss was reported, and could be graphed, in three patients. These patients displayed significant reductions in hourly blood loss after the administration of rVIIa. These cases are detailed in this report. Surgeons reported subjective improvements in operative bleeding, efficiency, and operative time in six of six patients after the administration of rVIIa intraoperatively. Reduced postoperative bleeding was reported in two patients who received rVIIa for persistent drain output.

rVIIa may be an effective adjunct in improving the surgical efficiency and outcome of excised vascular anomalies.