A new approach to treatment of bleeding episodes in young hemophilia patients: a single bolus megadose of recombinant activated factor VII (NovoSeven)

Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa, NovoSeven) represents an effective treatment for hemophilia patients with inhibitors, but no consensus as to the best dosing regimen exists. We assessed the efficacy and safety of a rFVIIa 'megadose' (300 micro g kg(-1) bolus) as treatment for bleeds in three young inhibitor patients. Of 114 bleeds, 95 responded to a single dose. Pain relief was faster and therapy duration significantly shorter than with continuous infusion (CI) regimens or standard boluses (90 micro g kg(-1) every 3 h). Rebleeding occurred in 9.6% of cases and 19/114 episodes required a second bolus injection. Although rFVIIa consumption per bleed (median: 300 micro g kg(-1)) was higher than with standard boluses (180-270 micro g kg(-1)), patients found single bolus administration more convenient than recurrent injections or CI. With two exceptions, no complications occurred within 3 h of treatment, despite high FVII:C levels (median: 27.4 U mL(-1); range: 19.8-54 U mL(-1)). Treatment of bleeds with a rFVIIa megadose in young inhibitor patients is effective and well tolerated.