Rationale: Congenital factor VII (FVII) deficiency is a rare coagulopathy. There are little clinical data for congenital FVII deficiency and no evidence-based medicine guidelines for treatment.
Patient concerns: A 48-year-old woman with gallbladder stones suffered from intermittent abdominal pain for 2 months that was accompanied by an abnormally prolonged prothrombin time.
Diagnoses: The woman was diagnosed as having cholecystolithiasis with cholecystitis and congenital FVII deficiency.
Intervention: Preoperative evaluation confirmed the necessity of recombinant activated factor VII (rFVIIa) replacement therapy. We monitored the plasma factor VII activity (FVII:C) and coagulation function, determined the half-life of rFVIIa in the patient, and administered personalized rFVIIa replacement therapy.
Outcomes: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed successfully, and the patient recovered well without any complications.
Lessons: The clinical manifestations and severity of bleeding in patients with congenital FVII deficiency can vary widely. The history of massive bleeding and plasma FVII:C are the decisive factors when implementing a replacement therapy. The actual half-life of rFVIIa can be determined from intensive monitoring results of plasma FVII:C at the beginning of replacement therapy, which could further guide the personalization of rFVIIa replacement therapy.