Comments
Dose (IV)
Frequency
FDA approved use
Hemophilia A or B with inhibitors
rVIIa is first-line therapy
90 mcg/kg
Every 2–3 h initially, with subsequent dosing per hematology service
Congenital FVII deficiency
rVIIa is first-line therapy
15–30 mcg/kg
Every 2–3 h initially, with subsequent dosing per hematology service
BIDMC approved use
Acquired inhibitors to FVIII, IX (V, VII, X, XI)
Use in the setting of life- or limb-threatening bleeding
90 mcg/kg
Subsequent dosing to be determined in consultation with the hematology and transfusion medicine services
Glanzmann’s thrombasthenia
In the presence of platelet transfusion refractoriness with documented antibodies to GPIIb-IIIa
90 mcg/kg
Subsequent dosing to be determined in consultation with the hematology and transfusion medicine services
Life-threatening hemorrhage
Continued hemorrhage despite adequate blood product replacement, reversal agents, surgical hemostasis, and other procoagulant therapies
40 mcg/kg
Subsequent dosing to be determined in consultation with the hematology and transfusion medicine services
Desmopressin (DDAVP) is a synthetic analog of vasopressin and is used to reduce bleeding in patients with hemophilia and von Willebrand’s disease (although it must be used with caution in subtype 2B as it can induce thrombocytopenia). It is also used to reduce bleeding time in patients who are taking antiplatelet medications such as aspirin and clopidogrel. DDAVP stimulates the release of von Willebrand factor as well as Factor VIII from the endothelium. In the kidney, DDAVP binds to V2 receptors and increases free water absorption, which is the basis for its use in patients with central diabetes insipidus. Of note, DDAVP has no activity at V1 receptors and thus does not promote vasoconstriction. It can be administered orally, intranasally, or intravenously. The intravenous dose of DDAVP to reverse platelet dysfunction from aspirin or clopidogrel is 0.3 mcg/kg over 30 min.