Use of FloSeal hemostatic matrix in a patient with severe postpartum hemorrhage

Abstract

FloSeal (hemostatic gelatin matrix with a human-derived thrombin component; Baxter Healthcare, Deerfield, IL, USA) hemostatic matrix is used as an adjunct to hemostasis when conventional procedures have proved ineffective. In the present case, FloSeal was used in combination with transfusions, NovoSeven (recombinant activated human factor VIIa; Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark) and compression to achieve hemostasis in a patient with postpartum bleeding and hypofibrinogenemia due to primary acute fatty liver of pregnancy. The patient presented with signs of acute hepatic failure, modified renal failure and bleeding disorder at week 37 of pregnancy. She suffered persistent hemorrhage after a soft vacuum-assisted delivery. Local hemostasis was achieved, but not maintained and metrorrhagia resumed requiring transfusion. FloSeal was applied intrauterine and to the vaginal walls, and stable hemostasis was achieved after 2 h. At the one-month post-delivery visit, anatomic and physiological status had returned to normal, although the patient had low fibrinogen and prothrombin activity. This case demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of FloSeal in combination with conventional procedures to achieve hemostasis in postpartum bleeding in a patient with hypofibrinogenemia.