Introduction: Various limitations of unfractionated heparin (UFH) have triggered a search for new antithrombotic therapies for patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor with several pharmacological advantages over UFH and is currently endorsed by practice guidelines, particularly in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). To maximize effectiveness of an antithrombotic regimen and reduce complications, both ischemic and bleeding risks should be known when an antithrombotic strategy is chosen.
Areas Covered: This review focuses on the safety and tolerability of bivalirudin in patients with CAD in the setting of currently approved indications. Synthesis of evidence has been made from clinical trials, systematic reviews, meta-analyses and registries (1992 - 2011). The reader is provided with an overview of pharmacological properties of bivalirudin and its efficacy, with special emphasis on its safety in patients with CAD.
Expert Opinion: Bivalirudin has an impressive safety profile in CAD patients treated with PCI. Bivalirudin is the antithrombotic of choice in suspected or verified heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. For ST elevation myocardial infarction patients undergoing primary PCI, bivalirudin should become the preferred antithrombotic agent together with early institution of antiplatelet therapy.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14740338.2012.628312 | DOI Listing |
J Soc Cardiovasc Angiogr Interv
December 2024
Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, University of California San Diego, San Diego, California.
Background: A minimum threshold activated clotting time (ACT) to guide heparin dosing during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with lower ischemic complications. However, data are variable regarding the risk of high ACT levels. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of peak procedural ACT on complications and mortality for transfemoral and transradial access PCI.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCrit Care Resusc
December 2024
The George Institute for Global Health, Critical Care Program, Australia.
Objective: To describe the incidence of bleeding and thrombotic complications in VA-ECMO according to anticoagulation strategy.
Design: This systematic review and meta-analysis included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies reporting bleeding and thrombotic complications in VA-ECMO. The incidence of primary outcomes according to anticoagulation drug and monitoring test was described.
J Pharm Pract
January 2025
Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Jefferson Health Abington Hospital, Abington, PA, USA.
Cardiovasc Ther
January 2025
Department of Cardiology, Tangshan Gongren Hospital, Tangshan, Hebei Province, China.
Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is one of the most common leading global causes of mortality, encompassing ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI), and unstable angina (UA). Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) has become a pivotal therapeutic approach for ACS, underscoring the importance of anticoagulation strategies. Among the commonly employed anticoagulants in PCI, heparin and bivalirudin take precedence, with heparin serving as the archetypal choice.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an adverse drug reaction with significant thromboembolic risk. Though there are models for use of non-heparin anticoagulants, heparin remains the preferred anticoagulant in many operative settings, especially cardiovascular surgery and percutaneous cardiac intervention. The natural history of HIT can be stereotyped into phases using HIT laboratory testing to guide clinical management and determine whether heparin re-exposure can be considered.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!