Thromboelastography-targeted management of severe coagulopathy and off-label use of four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate in an infant with massive bleeding

Authors: Efune, P. N., Alex, G., Journeycake, J., and Mehta, S. D.

Published: Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis; January 2020:

Abstract: A 4-month-old girl initially presented to the pediatric ICU at 9 days old with multiorgan failure and cerebellar hemorrhage secondary to disseminated enteroviral infection and was eventually listed for liver transplant. Due to severe coagulopathy, she developed a hemothorax after line placement. Despite operative exploration and multiple recombinant factor VIIa doses, massive bleeding continued. The bleeding was finally controlled with thromboelastography-targeted platelet and cryoprecipitate transfusion in addition to four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate administration. This management strategy was invaluable in controlling bleeding from an iatrogenic cause.