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Utilization of recombinant activated factor VII in southern Ontario in 85 patients with and without haemophilia
Author(s) -
WEBERT K. E.,
ARNOLD D. M.,
CARRUTHERS J.,
MOLNAR L.,
ALMONTE T.,
DECKER K.,
SEROSKI W.,
REED J.,
CHAN A. K.,
PAI M.,
WALKER I. R.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
haemophilia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.213
H-Index - 92
eISSN - 1365-2516
pISSN - 1351-8216
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2007.01490.x
Subject(s) - medicine , haemophilia , haemophilia a , recombinant dna , factor (programming language) , pediatrics , family medicine , genetics , biology , computer science , gene , programming language
Summary. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is licensed for the treatment of bleeding in individuals with haemophilia and inhibitors. The use of rFVIIa appears to be increasing, and an increase in unlicensed use is suspected. There are currently few data about the specific indications for its use. The aim of this study was to describe the patterns of utilization of rFVIIa. We performed a retrospective cohort study using rFVIIa infusion data collected prospectively and clinical data collected retrospectively. Patients were identified using a tracking system designed to account for use of all coagulation factor concentrates issued in southern Ontario. Between 1 January 2001 and 31 December 2005, 85 patients received rFVIIa. 1164 infusions were given (8246.4 mg). Haemophilia patients with inhibitors accounted for 82.9% of rFVIIa infused and represented 8.2% of patients. The total amount of rFVIIa used increased each year from 2001 to 2004 and then decreased in 2005. The total number of infusions of rFVIIa administered annually increased. Both on‐label and off‐label use of rFVIIa increased. The number of patients with haemophilia receiving rFVIIa remained small and constant. The number of patients receiving rFVIIa for off‐label indications increased markedly. Most rFVIIa infusions were given for licensed indications; however, these infusions represented <10% of patients treated. Overall, the utilization of rFVIIa is increasing, mostly for approved indications; however, the number of patients being prescribed rFVIIa for off‐label indications has increased. The tracking system used in this study is a valuable tool to describe ongoing utilization patterns of rFVIIa.