The use of recombinant activated factor VII in traumatic intracranial haemorrhage

Abstract

INTRODUCTION. A group of patients with craniocerebral injuries received recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa ) in order to reduce or stop further bleeding in brain tissue. OBJECTIVE. Fundamental objective was to show that the use of rFVIIa can stop intracerebral bleeding and that operative treatment of such patients can be avoided. METHODS. rFVIIa was applied in the group of patients who sustained traumatic brain injuries. The control group was formed retrospectively out of patients with the same pathology previously treated at this clinic throughout 2003 and 2004. It is important to mention that in all patients rFVIIa was applied within first four hours after injury. Coagulation status and GCS were monitored in all patients. RESULTS. The treated patients had different mechanism of injury and pathological substrate of brain tissue. Results were compared with the group of patients who had similar pathological substrate and GCS on admission but did not receive rFVIIa. There were no complications or lethal outcomes recorded in the group of the treated patients. CONCLUSION. Cessation of intracerebral bleeding after timely use of rFVIIa enabled the use of only pharmacological treatment and avoiding operative treatment in some patients. Results were encouraging.