Exploratory study on the reversal of warfarin with rFVIIa in healthy subjects

Blood. 2010 Aug 5;116(5):693-701. doi: 10.1182/blood-2009-11-253492. Epub 2010 Apr 12.

Abstract

The use of warfarin has a well-known bleeding risk. Recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) is a non-plasma-derived, rapid-acting, and rapidly infused potential treatment. This randomized, single-center, placebo-controlled, double-blinded, dose-escalation, exploratory phase 1 trial assessed safety and effects of rFVIIa in reversing warfarin-induced changes in bleeding and coagulation parameters, using a punch biopsy-induced bleeding model in healthy subjects. The effects of warfarin (experiment 1) and rFVIIa (5-80 microg/kg; experiment 2) were evaluated. Outcomes were bleeding duration, blood loss, coagulation parameters, and safety. Warfarin treatment significantly increased bleeding duration and blood loss from pretreatment (experiment 1, 12 subjects). However, these parameters after rFVIIa treatment were not significantly different from placebo (experiment 2, 85 subjects). Mean activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and international normalized ratio were reduced from warfarin-elevated levels. rFVIIa (80 microg/kg) significantly reversed warfarin effects on all thromboelastography parameters, compared with placebo (P < .05), and returned the thrombin generation speed to baseline. There were no thromboembolic or serious adverse events. In this exploratory trial, the reversal of warfarin effects was observed in the thromboelastography, thrombin generation, and clotting assays. However, this reversal did not translate to improvements in the bleeding model parameters evaluated in the punch biopsy model. Trial registration is exempt (phase 1).

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Biopsy
  • Blood Coagulation / drug effects*
  • Blood Coagulation Factors / analysis
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Factor VIIa / administration & dosage
  • Factor VIIa / adverse effects
  • Factor VIIa / pharmacology*
  • Factor VIIa / therapeutic use
  • Hemorrhage / drug therapy*
  • Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Humans
  • International Normalized Ratio
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Partial Thromboplastin Time
  • Prothrombin Time
  • Punctures / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / administration & dosage
  • Recombinant Proteins / adverse effects
  • Recombinant Proteins / pharmacology
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Thrombelastography
  • Thrombin / biosynthesis
  • Warfarin / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Warfarin / pharmacology
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Blood Coagulation Factors
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Warfarin
  • recombinant FVIIa
  • Factor VIIa
  • Thrombin