Prothrombin complex concentrate (Konyne) in the treatment of hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors

Abstract

Two prothrombin complex concentrates, Auto-Factor IX and Proplex, have been reported to be effective in controlling bleeding in hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. A third PCC, Konyne, was used to treat 64 bleeding episodes (130 infusions) in five hemophilic patients with factor VIII inhibitors. Prompt control of bleeding was observed in each instance with doses of 15 to 100 units of factor IX/kg; no complications were encountered. Konyne resulted in in vivo and in vitro shortening of the partial thromboplastin time of patients with factor VIII inhibitors, but the mechanism of action is unknown. If further studies confirm the efficacy and safety of PCC in the treatment of such patients, its use for this purpose could lead to significant saving of factor VIII concentrates.