Use of rFVIIa in the trauma setting--practice patterns in United States trauma centers

Much excitement has been generated regarding the off label use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in the severely injured trauma patient. The purpose of our study is 3-fold: 1) describe the type of centers that use rFVIIa, 2) determine which centers use the drug more frequently, and finally 3) investigate how this drug is being administered at trauma centers. A survey was mailed or e-mailed to 435 trauma centers (Level I and II) throughout the nation. One hundred fifty-six surveys were returned. American College of Surgeons (ACS) verification and trauma Level I designation were independent predictors of rFVIIa use (odds ratio [OR] 3.74 and 5.40, P < 0.05). High users of rFVIIa were defined as those centers that had above median usage of the drug. Level I centers accounted for 67 per cent of the high users. Only the number of fellowship-trained trauma surgeons and trauma volume predicted high usage of rFVIIa (OR 1.38 and 14.09, P < 0.05). Trauma volume predicted whether or not Factor VII users implemented a protocol based approach to administration of the drug (OR 6.57, P < 0.05). Most protocols incorporated packed red blood cells (74%) before giving rFVIIa. The dose of 90 mcg/kg was exceeded in 34 per cent of centers, and 3 per cent used the 200 mcg/kg dose. High volume Level I trauma centers use rFVIIa more frequently and are more likely to use a systematic approach to its administration. However, there is no standardized approach to rFVIIa administration in United States trauma centers.