Recombinant factor VIIa in joint and muscle bleeding episodes.

Recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) improves haemostasis and eliminates the risk of transmission of blood-borne infection in haemophilia patients with inhibitors, acquired inhibitors to factor VIII or IX or FVII deficiency. rFVIIa has been available on a compassionate use basis since 1988 and has been administered to 111 patients for a total of 494 joint and muscle bleeding episodes. Seventy-nine percent of joint and 65% of muscle bleeding episodes were evaluated by the investigator as having an excellent/effective response. rFVIIa is also an effective treatment for joint and muscle bleeding episodes in patients undergoing immune tolerance regimens and does not affect the inhibitor titre level.