Production and composition of prothrombin complex concentrates: correlation between composition and therapeutic efficiency.

Four-factor PCCs are most frequently used for replacement of vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and inhibitors proteins C and S in patients bleeding after phenprocoumon or warfarin overdose, in vitamin K-deficient patients presenting life-threatening bleeding, and liver disease. Since many of these patients are prone to thromboembolic complications including DIC, all conceivable measures should be taken against the thrombogenic potential of PCC preparations. This thrombogenic potential of PCCs is obviously dependent on several factors including activated clotting factors, lack of inhibitors of blood coagulation, and coagulation factor overload, as well as predisposing factors referred to recipients and drug interactions. The composition of PCC should meet the following criteria: Antithrombin in addition to heparin for the neutralization of FIXa and FXa should be present in the preparations; no overloading with FII and FX; substantially lower FVII than FIX potencies in order to minimize contamination with or generation of FVIIa; and substantial protein C as well as protein S activities. Quality control should include determinations as recommended by the European Pharmacopoeia. Specific assays for quantification of FIXa and FXa are urgently required, and validity of these assays must be proven in surveys. All lots should also be tested for their FVIIa content. Furthermore, the safety of PCCs must be proven by suitable animal models. Whenever possible, patients receiving PCCs should be under low-dose heparin prophylaxis; simultaneous administration of heparin-neutralizing drugs or antifibrinolytic agents must be avoided.