Cochrane review: Human recombinant activated protein C for severe sepsis
Authors: Martí‐Carvajal A , Salanti G , Cardona AF 
Published: March 2008

Background

Sepsis is a common, expensive and frequently fatal condition. There is an urgent need for developing new therapies to further reduce severe sepsis‐induced mortality. One of those approaches is the use of human recombinant activated protein C (APC).

Objectives

We assessed the clinical effectiveness of APC for the treatment of patients with severe sepsis or septic shock.

Search strategy

We searched the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2005, Issue 2); MEDLINE (1966 to 2005); EMBASE (1980 to 2005) and LILACS (1982 to 2005). We contacted researchers and organizations working in the field. We did not have any language restriction.

Selection criteria

We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effects of APC for severe sepsis in adults and children. We excluded studies on neonates.

Data collection and analysis

We independently performed study selection, quality assessment and data extraction. We estimated relative risks (RR) for dichotomous outcomes. We measured statistical heterogeneity using I‐squared (I2). We used a random‐effects model.

Main results

We included four studies involving 4911 participants (4434 adults and 477 paediatric patients). For 28‐day mortality, APC did not reduce the risk of death in adult participants with severe sepsis (pooled RR 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.72 to 1.18; P = 0.50, I2 = 72%). The effectiveness of APC did not seem to be associated with the degree of severity of sepsis (two studies): for an APACHE II score less than 25 the RR was 1.04 (95% CI 0.89 to 1.21; P = 0.70), and in participants with an APACHE IIscore of 25 or more the RR was 0.90 (95% CI 0.54 to 1.49; P = 0.68). APC use was, however, associated with a higher risk of bleeding (RR 1.48 (95% CI 1.07 to 2.06; P = 0.02, I2 = 8%). Two studies were stopped early because there was little chance of reaching the efficacy endpoint by completion of the trial.

Authors' conclusions

This updated review found no evidence suggesting that APC should be used for treating patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. Additionally, APC seems to be associated with a higher risk of bleeding. Unless additional RCTs provide evidence of a treatment effect, policy‐makers, clinicians and academics should not promote the use of APC.

Plain language summary

Human recombinant activated protein C for severe sepsis

There is insufficient evidence to support the use of human recombinant activated protein C in adults or children with severe sepsis; moreover there is an increased risk of internal bleeding associated with its use.

Sepsis is a major cause of death in the intensive care unit. It is a complex syndrome resulting from a presumed or known infection and is difficult to treat. In severe cases sepsis can lead to multiple organ failure. Sepsis leads to a drop in the level of protein C. Administration of human recombinant activated protein C (APC) aims to increase this level to prevent multiple organ failure. This updated review found no evidence suggesting that APC reduces the risk of death in adults or children with severe sepsis.