Drug therapy reviews: clinical use of hemostatic agents

Abstract

Systemic hemostatic agents are reviewed. Among the agents discussed are vitamin K preparations (phytonadione, menadione, menadione sodium bisulfite, menadiol sodium diphosphate); and blood products (whole blood, plasma, cryoprecipitate, factor VIII concentrates, factor IX concentrates and fibrinogen concentrates). Normal and abnormal hemostasis and fibrinolysis are discussed, as is the general management of systemic hemostatic defects. Specific disorders covered are clotting factor deficiencies, hemophilia A, factor VIII inhibitors, von Willebrand disease, hemophilia B (Christmas disease), other congenital coagulation disorders, acquired deficiency of factors II, VII, IX and X, and defibrination syndrome.