Prothrombin complex concentrate (PCC), also known as factor IX complex, sold under the brand name Kcentra among others, is a combination medication made up of blood clotting factorsII, IX, and X[9](3-factor PCC) or, when also containing factor VII as does Kcentra, 4-factor PCC.[10] It is used to treat and prevent bleeding in hemophilia B if pure factor IX is not available.[9][11] It may also be used for reversal of warfarin therapy.[11] It is given by slow injection into a vein.[9] Another product, activated prothrombin complex concentrate or FEIBA (Factor Eight Inhibitor Bypassing Agent), may be used for acquired hemophilia.[12]
Prothrombin complex concentrate reverses the effects of warfarin and other vitamin K antagonist anti-coagulants and is used in cases of significant bleeding in people with a coagulopathy. It is also used when such a person must undergo an emergency operation.[18] Other uses include a deficiency of one of the included clotting factors, either congenital or due to liver disease, and hemophilia.[18] Several guidelines, including those from the American College of Chest Physicians, recommend prothrombin complex concentrate for warfarin reversal in people with serious bleeding.[19][20][21][22]
For rapid anticoagulation reversal for surgery, four-factor prothrombin complex concentrate reduces international normalized ratio (INR) and decreases bleeding during surgery when compared with administration of fresh frozen plasma. No differences in thromboembolic event was found.[23]
Contraindications
The package insert states that prothrombin complex concentrate is contraindicated in patients with disseminated intravascular coagulation, a pathological activation of coagulation,[24] because giving clotting factors would only further fuel this process. However, if the PCC is given because factor levels are low, it can restore normal coagulation. As PCC products contain heparin, they are contraindicated in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.[24]
Chemistry
Prothrombin complex concentrate contains a number of blood clotting factors. Typically this includes factor II, IX, and X.[9] Some versions also contain factor VII, protein C, and protein S.[10][24]Heparin may be added to stop early activation of the factors.[10]
In the United States a dose of prothrombin complex concentrate costs about US $3200[27] though one study described the cost as $11 650.[28] The Australian National Blood Authority sets Prothrombinex (500 IU) at around AUD$327. [29]
Brand names
A number of different formulations are available globally.[30]
^World Health Organization (2019). World Health Organization model list of essential medicines: 21st list 2019. Geneva: World Health Organization. hdl:10665/325771. WHO/MVP/EMP/IAU/2019.06.
^World Health Organization (2015). The selection and use of essential medicines. Twentieth report of the WHO Expert Committee 2015 (including 19th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines and 5th WHO Model List of Essential Medicines for Children). Vol. 994. Geneva: World Health Organization. p. 510. hdl:10665/189763. ISBN978-92-4-120994-6. ISSN0512-3054. WHO technical report series.
^"Factor IX (Recombinant)". The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists. Archived from the original on 24 September 2017. Retrieved 8 December 2016.
^Haemostasis and Thrombosis Task Force for the British Committee for Standards in Haematology (May 1998). "Guidelines on oral anticoagulation: 3rd edition". Br J Haematol. 101 (2): 374–387. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2141.1998.00715.x. PMID9609538.
^Baker RI, Coughlin PB, Gallus AS, Harper PL, Salem HH, Wood EM (November 2004). "Warfarin reversal: consensus guidelines, on behalf of the Australasian Society of Thrombosis and Haemostasis". The Medical Journal of Australia. 181 (9): 492–7. doi:10.5694/j.1326-5377.2004.tb06407.x. PMID15516194. S2CID3035209.
^Irizarry-Gatell VM, Bacchus MW, De Leo EK, Zhang Y, Lagasse CA, Khanna AY, et al. (April 2024). "The use of andexanet alfa vs. 4-factor prothrombin complex concentrates in the setting of life-threatening intracranial hemorrhage". Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 35 (3): 94–100. doi:10.1097/MBC.0000000000001279. PMID38358898.