Recombinant factor VIIa: hemostatic adjunct in the coagulopathic burn patient

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa; NovoSeven) is well recognized as an effective hemostatic agent in the management and prophylaxis of patients with hemophilia. We report here the successful use of rFVIIa in a coagulopathic burn patient.

A 63-year-old man was admitted with significant upper-body burns in a total body surface area of 60%. Initial management included early intubation and escharotomies, with subsequent admission to the burn unit. Fascial excision was carried out with allograft placement. During a complicated hospital course, decline in platelet function was noted and was associated with the development of a generalized coagulopathy with elevated international normalized ratio. Following a routine follow-up debridement and autografting, extensive bleeding was noted from donor sites. A period of increasing hemodynamic instability followed in the burn unit, with serial hematocrit measurements pointing toward ongoing bleeding from the surgical sites. Following administration of significant amounts of blood product, it was decided to administer rFVIIa per pharmacy protocol.

Within 4 hours of administration of rFVIIa, the patient was noted to be hemodynamically stable with unchanging serial hematocrit measurements. Hemostasis was attributed to the use of rFVIIa with prior administration of platelets.

Our case demonstrates the successful use of rFVIIa in the severely coagulopathic burn patient.