Abstract
ObjectiveThe purpose of our study is to describe the use of recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) in patients on central veno-arterial ECMO with a particular attention on associated thrombotic complications. Study designMonocentric retrospective study. Patients and methodsWe examined 91 files of patients on ECMO between 2005 and 2010. During this period, eight patients presented refractory bleeding and benefited from rFVIIa treatment. ResultsIn six of the eight patients, the bleeding stopped. A decrease of the bleeding was noticed after the treatment of rFVIIa (before rFVIIa: 40.1±33.1mL/kg per 3hours after rFVIIa: 5.4±3.2mL/kg per 3hours (P=0.01). The transfusional needs were decreased after administration of rFVIIa. No thrombotic event was detected. Fibrinogen, d-dimers, platelet count and lactate were not modified by the treatment. Two patients were weaned from ECMO. One patient died 17 days after the weaning. The other patient survived without neurological damages. ConclusionThe rFVIIa is a treatment of exception for patients on central veno-arterial ECMO and could be a last-resort treatment in the presence of a not curable massive bleeding.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
