Probable right atrial thrombus immediately after recombinant activated factor VII administration

Abstract

We report the finding of a probable right atrial thrombus in a 33-yr-old male patient with severe head, chest, and abdominal trauma. Refractory coagulopathy and gross haemodynamic instability ensued, which was only partially controlled with massive blood product transfusion and high-dose inotropic support during laparotomy. Continuous transoesophageal echocardiography revealed a probable atrial thrombus partially occluding the right ventricular inflow tract, which appeared immediately after the patient received 100 μg kg-1 of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) via a left internal jugular central line. This is the first report documenting an immediate temporal relationship between rFVIIa administration and a space-occupying lesion compatible with localized thrombosis, despite ongoing severe systemic coagulopathy. We review the clinical use of rFVIIa and discuss possible factors contributing to this event. © The Board of Management and Trustees of the British Journal of Anaesthesia 2007. All rights reserved.