The use of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in the management of patients with major haemorrhage in military hospitals over the last 5 years
Emergency Medicine Journal, 05/30/2012
Clinical Article
Smith JE – The use of recombinant activated factor VII in UK deployed military hospitals has declined since 2010, which is likely due to a combination of factors, including a change in resuscitation practice in these units, and a change in emphasis of manufacturer's guidance.
Methods- A retrospective database review was performed, using the Joint Theatre Trauma Registry, for the period January 2006 to June 2011.
- Data collected included use of rFVIIa, injury severity score (ISS), survival and injury pattern.
- The temporal trend of rFVIIa use, taking into account the number of severely injured patients presenting during each time period, was then analysed.
- During the period January 2006 to June 2011, 156 injured patients received rFVIIa.
- 146 of these (94%) had an ISS >15; there were 45 fatalities.
- The median ISS among the group receiving rFVIIa was 30, and 20 patients had an ISS in the range 60–75.
- There was a significant reduction in the use of rFVIIa in the second half of 2010 and the first half of 2011, compared with the previous 12–month period.
