Factor VII for excessive bleeding following congenital heart disease surgery

Recombinant activated factor VII may be effective in patients with severe bleeding following congenital heart disease surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. From August 2009 through June 2011, 13 patients (median age, 5 months) were given recombinant activated factor VII for severe bleeding after open heart surgery, preventing sternal closure 2 h after completion of cardiopulmonary bypass, or chest tube drainage >10 mL · kg(-1) · h(-1) for 2 h. The median dose was 75 μg · kg(-1). The response was positive if postoperative bleeding decreased, permitting sternal closure in the operating room, or if there was >50% decrease in chest tube drainage. The 3 patients who received factor VIIa in the operating room had successful sternal closure within 1 h. Of the 10 patients who received factor VIIa in the intensive care unit, drainage decreased to <50% in 1 h in 6 cases, and a second dose was required in 4. None required surgical reexploration. There were 4 deaths, none was related to bleeding. Nine patients were discharged (median hospital stay, 29 days) and were doing well after 3 months. There were no thrombotic complications. Recombinant activated factor VII may be an effective rescue therapy for severe postoperative hemorrhage.