Use of Recombinant Factor VIIa for Control of Combat-Related Hemorrhage

Recombinant rFVIIa may have a damage-control role, quickly arresting blood loss until the casualty can be evacuated to a hospital.

Blood loss is a major cause of death among combat casualties, accounting for nearly half of all deaths on the battlefield. The great majority of these deaths is due to intracavitary hemorrhage that cannot be controlled by traditional methods such as tourniquets or pressure dressings. Surgery remains the best method for controlling this type of hemorrhage and preventing death, although methods are needed to control bleeding until patients can get surgical intervention.