The use of recombinant activated factor VII to reverse warfarin-induced anticoagulation in patients with hemorrhages in the central nervous system: preliminary findings

Object. In this report the authors describe the use of the hemostatic agent recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) in the perioperative treatment of hemorrhages in the central nervous system that are associated with warfarin therapy. Methods. Two patients sustained hemorrhages within the spinal canal, and the other two had acute intracranial subdural hematomas. All patients had normal platelet counts, activated partial thromboplastin times, and fibrinogen levels, and all received fresh frozen plasma in conjunction with rFVIIa. The initial international normalized ratios (INRs) ranged from 1.9 to 5.6. Each dose of rFVIIa was 1200 mug, ranging from 16 to 22 mug/kg of body weight. Two patients received two perioperative doses of rFVIIa; the others required just one dose before surgery. The INR normalized within 2 hours of administration of rFVIIa in all patients. There were no thromboembolic complications, and surgical blood loss was less than 100 ml for all operations. Conclusions. This clinical experience indicates that rFVIIa may be safe and effective as the initial hemostatic agent for rapid reversal of orally administered anticoagulation medications in patients who require urgent neurosurgical intervention.