Drug puts U.S. troops at risk for blood clots

[Ethelk2044]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/15790137/

Coagulant meant to treat hemophilia could induce strokes,
heart attacks



Updated: 2:05 p.m. ET Nov 19, 2006
BALTIMORE - A blood-coagulating drug designed to treat rare
forms of hemophilia is being used on critically wounded U.S.
troops in Iraq despite evidence it can cause clots that lead
to strokes, heart attacks and death in other patients, The
(Baltimore) Sun reported for Sunday’s editions.

Recombinant Activated Factor VII, which is made by Danish
pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, is approved in the United
States for treating forms of hemophilia that affect fewer than
3,000 Americans. It costs $6,000 a dose.



The Food and Drug Administration said in a warning last
December that giving Factor VII to patients who don’t have the
blood disorder could cause strokes and heart attacks. Its
researchers published a study in January blaming 43 deaths on
clots that developed after injections of Factor VII.

[MercutioATC]

1. Bleed to death from a gunshot wound or run the risk of stroke?

I'll run the risk, thanks.



I think this is a sensationalized issue. Hell, applying a tourniquet is one of the worst things you can do to living tissue, but it sure beats bleeding to death.

[Kagemusha]

2. Yeah, what you said.

Also... look, I might not trust the drug's manufacturer on the proper use for it, or military procurement officers, but the people crying out for the use of this drug - albeit as a last resort - are medics in the field facing life and death decisions. If there's a reason I shouldn't trust medics getting actual combat casualties rather than serving behind a desk in Washington, I'd like to hear it.

[silverweb]

3. Uhhh...

What's a hemophiliac doing in the military, let alone in a combat zone, anyway? Why is this even an issue?

[ribrepin]

4. They are apparently using it to stop bleeding after an injury. nt