Coagulopathic patients with traumatic intracranial bleeding: defining the role of recombinant factor VIIa

Abstract

Background: The combination of coagulopathy and intracranial bleeding (ICB) is a well-recognized cause of morbidity and mortality in the neurosurgical patient because of the risk of hematoma expansion. Although recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been shown to be useful in intracerebral hemorrhage, its use in other forms of ICB such as subdural hematomas (SDHs) has rarely been described.

Methods: The clinical and laboratory features of a prospectively followed up case-series of 15 patients with traumatic ICB (mainly isolated SDHs) and coagulopathy international normalized ratio (INR) >1.3 treated with rFVIIa in our institution are presented, along with a review of the literature regarding the role of rFVIIa in neurosurgical patients with ICB.

Results: All 15 patients suffered a SDH (4 of 15 had a combined ICB) and coagulopathy (mean INR, 2.34 +/- 0.83; thrombocytopenia rate, 20%), which was attributed to anticoagulants in 46.7%. The mean INR decreased to 1.5 +/- 0.14 after standard therapy and 0.92 +/- 0.1 after rFVIIa therapy. There was no evident progression of bleeding in any patient treated with rFVIIa. In three patients, neurosurgery was obviated by rFVIIa therapy, whereas the other 12 patients underwent neurosurgery safely and successfully. None required subsequent surgery for continuing hemorrhage, and no adverse events secondary to FVIIa administration were observed. Based on our experience and the reviewed literature, a proposed algorithm for a stratified approach to rFVIIa administration in traumatic ICB is discussed.

Conclusions: rFVIIa is an inducer of hemostasis, which successfully controlled potentially devastating bleeding in all of 15 coagulopathic neurosurgical patients with ICB. The use of rFVIIa lowered the INR into the operable range in all patients, allowing surgery, and in some cases, obviated the need for surgery. Randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials are needed to further assess the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of this approach in this setting.