Recombinant hirudin for cardiopulmonary bypass anticoagulation: a randomized, prospective, and heparin-controlled pilot study.

Background: Lepirudin, a recombinant hirudin, is a direct acting thrombin inhibitor that has been used as a heparin alternative in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia requiring on-pump cardiac surgery. To evaluate the efficacy, safety, and clinical utility of lepirudin as a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) anticoagulant, we compared lepirudin with heparin in a routine CPB setting.

Methods: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to receive lepirudin (0.