Impact of recombinant activated factor VII on health-related quality of life after intracerebral hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: We recently demonstrated that recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) given to patients presenting within 3 h of acute spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) reduces mortality (18% vs. 29%) and poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale, mRS, 4-6, 53 vs. 69%). This analysis was performed to determine the impact of rFVIIa on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in those patients. Methods: In a prospective, randomized controlled trial, 399 patients (mean age, 66 years) received placebo, 40, 80 or 160 μg/kg of rFVIIa within 4 h of acute ICH. At 90 days, HRQoL was assessed with the EuroQoL (EQ-5D), a 5-dimensional measure of health which also includes the Visual Analogue Scale. Addi..