Perioperative Use of Coagulation Factor Concentrates in Patients Undergoing Cardiac Surgery

Coagulopathy and bleeding are common in patients undergoing cardiac surgery, with a perioperative transfusion rate in excess of 50%. The mechanism of coagulopathy associated with cardiac surgery using cardiopulmonary bypass is multifactorial. Historically, coagulation factor-mediated bleeding in such instances has been treated with allogeneic plasma transfusion. Coagulation factor concentrate use for treatment of hemophilia, congenital factor deficiencies and, more recently, emergency warfarin reversal is common. Formulations of factor concentrates include single and multifactor concentrates and both human and recombinant-derived products. Off-label use of factor concentrates for coagulopathy and bleeding associated with cardiac surgery has been described for decades; however, sound clinical research with regard to this practice is limited. This review highlights the literature discussing the use of factor concentrates in patients undergoing cardiac surgery and provides an overview of reasonable uses or lack thereof for factor concentrates in clinical practice.