RECOMBINANT FACTOR-VIIA (NOVOSEVEN(R)) IN THE TREATMENT OF INTERNAL BLEEDING IN PATIENTS WITH FACTOR-VII AND FACTOR-IX INHIBITORS

Recombinant factor VIIa (NovoSeven(R)) was used on a compassionate use basis to treat 51 episodes of internal bleeding in 43 patients. All h ad became refractory to (or were not candidates for) other therapeutic agents. 26 of the 43 patients had hemophilia A and FVIII inhibitor an tibodies, 13 had acquired FVIII inhibitors, 2 had hemophilia B and FIX inhibitors, and 2 had other coagulopathies, of 50 episodes of interna l bleeding evaluated 76% had an excellent or effective response to rFV IIa. The average dosage given was 84 mu g/kg; the median number of dos es given was 38. rFVIIa appears to be a very valuable addition to one' s therapeutic armamentarium for treating serious bleeding episodes in inhibitor patients.