Factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity for refractory bleeding in coronary artery bypass grafting: A propensity‐matched analysis

BACKGROUND: Perioperative bleeding and transfusion have been associated with major morbidity and mortality after cardiac surgery. As concerns remain regarding potential graft thrombosis following administration of a prothrombin factor concentrate, the use of factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity (FEIBA) in managing refractory postoperative bleeding has never been evaluated in patients undergoing isolated coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). OBJECTIVES: We aimed to examine the safety of FEIBA in patients undergoing isolated CABG, with respect to 30‐day mortality, perioperative outcomes, and thrombotic complications. METHODS: A retrospective review was undertaken of all consecutive patients who had undergone isolated on‐pump CABG between January 2015 and December 2019 at North Shore University Hospital. Patients requiring intraoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenator support were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups, dependent upon whether they received FEIBA (n = 63) versus no FEIBA (n = 2493). A 1:5 propensity match analysis was employed, and patients were analyzed with respect to thrombotic complications, reintervention for myocardial ischemia, and short‐term clinical outcomes. RESULTS: There was no difference in 30‐day mortality between the two cohorts. There was also no significant difference in a composite of thrombotic complications (composed of deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and stroke) between the two groups. Similarly, there was no significant difference in the requirement for postoperative reintervention for myocardial ischemia between patients who received FEIBA versus those who did not. CONCLUSIONS: Factor eight inhibitor bypassing activity may be safe when used as rescue therapy for refractory bleeding following isolated CABG.