title: [R-hirudin (lepirudin, refludan) as an alternative anticoagulant in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia during cardiopulmonary bypass connection].
abstract: A 72-year-old patient with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and global cardiac decompensation underwent cardiac surgery using an extracorporeal circuit (ECC). For systemic anticoagulation r-Hirudin (lepirudin, Refludan) was administered as a heparin substitute during extracorporeal circuit. During cardiopulmonary bypass (100 min) the concentration of r-Hirudin was between 2.9 and 4.6 mcg/ml under continuous infusion of r-Hirudin at between 1.5 and 4.5 mcg/kg/min. The operation was successful and during its course no abnormal bleeding or fibrin formation in the extracorporeal circuit was observed. One hour after operation haemorrhage occurred and rethoracotomy was performed without discovering the cause of the surgical bleeding. After substitution with fresh frozen plasma, thrombocytes and Prothromblex the bleeding stopped on the operation day. The further postoperative course was uncomplicated. After 3 days the patient came to nursing station and was discharged from hospital to a rehabilitation centre after 13 days. After a further 3 weeks he went home in a good general condition.
authors.affiliation: Abteilung für Herzchirurgie, Stadtspital Triemli, Zürich.
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Genoni
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Niederhäuser
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maloigne
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Turina
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002315:Cardiopulmonary Bypass; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood; D006629:Hirudins / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D007423:Intra-Aortic Balloon Pumping; D008297:Male; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery*; D010974:Platelet Aggregation / Q000187:drug effects; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced; D012086:Reoperation; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents; D006629:Hirudins; D006493:Heparin