The continuous infusion of recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in patients with factor VIII inhibitors activates the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems without clinical complications

The standard modality of administration of rFVIIa to patients with FVIII and FIX inhibitors is the intermittent infusion every 2 to 6 hours. No untoward local or systemic effects have been reported; laboratory data of activation of coagulation were reported in the presence of coexistent problems (sepsis, septic shock) or with high doses. We treated four patients with FVIII inhibitor with rFVIIa administered by continuous infusion by a central vein catheter, monitoring the signs of systemic activation of the hemostatic system. The F1+2 prothrombin fragments and the D-dimer increased after the bolus, and remained above the baseline values throughout the treatment period. These variations observed during the infusion period were not accompanied by clinical events, (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.