Continuous infusion of monoclonal antibody-purified factor VIII

Continuous intravenous infusion of wet and dry heat treated factor VIII products has been shown to be an effective, safe, and convenient alternative to pulse-dose therapy for the treatment of patients with hemophilia. We have used 12-hr, single-bottle continuous infusion of a factor VIII product purified from plasma sources by the use of monoclonal antibodies (Monoclate; Rorer Pharmaceutical Company) for the treatment of four bleeding episodes in three patients with severe hemophilia A. Patients required 2.1 U/kg/hr to attain an in vivo factor VIII level of 50 U/dl. Clinical hemostasis was achieved for all treatment episodes and no untoward effects of therapy were noted. Stability of the factor VIII:C levels in the product in vitro was also demonstrated. We conclude from this preliminary data that continuous infusion of factor VIII products purified by monoclonal antibody technology is a safe, effective, and practical approach to the treatment of patients with hemophilia A.