Complications
The substitution of coagulation factors can lead to the formation of antibodies against these factors, so that the substitution in a constant dose no longer has any therapeutic effects. Depending on the determination of the concentration of antibodies in the patient’s blood, a high-dose administration of factor VIII can be carried out with the aim of regaining tolerance to this factor and eliminating antibody formation. This procedure should only be carried out in specialised centres.
There is a low risk of contracting hepatitis or becoming infected with the HI virus (=HIV) by replacing the coagulation factors, as the factors are obtained from human blood products. A further risk of substitution therapy in hemophilia is the occurrence of allergic reactions.
