Use of recombinant activated Factor VII for refractory after lung transplant bleeding as an effective strategy to restrict blood transfusion and associated complications.

Background: Recombinant activated factor VIIa (rFVIIa) has been increasingly used to stop massive bleeding after cardiothoracic surgical procedures. However, the risk : benefit profile of such a potent hemostatic agent remains unclear in the postsurgical patient, and the cost benefit is even less clear. In patients after lung transplantation, volume of blood transfused is of major concern, and all attempts are made to minimize large blood transfusions in this cohort.