title: Argatroban therapy for antithrombin deficiency and mesenteric thrombosis: case report and review of the literature.
abstract: Antithrombin deficiency is a hypercoagulable state that can increase the risk for thrombosis, especially in the presence of other procoagulant triggers. Unfractionated heparin and low-molecular-weight heparins may not provide effective anticoagulation since they require antithrombin for activity. Direct thrombin inhibitors, however, work independently of antithrombin. A 21-year-old man with a history of heavy alcohol consumption had thrombosis of the superior mesenteric vein. Infusion with unfractionated heparin was started, and despite repeated boluses and increases to 21 U/kg/hour, the maximum activated partial thromboplastin time reached was 39 seconds. The unfractionated heparin was discontinued, and the direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban was infused at rates of 0.4-0.5 microg/kg/minute. Over the course of several weeks, the patient had numerous operations to remove and repair necrotic bowel. When no further surgery was anticipated, warfarin therapy was started; the argatroban infusion was discontinued when the patient reached the therapeutic target international normalized ratio with warfarin. No recurrent thrombosis or major bleeding occurred. Direct thrombin inhibitors, such as argatroban, seem to be suitable alternatives for acute anticoagulation in patients with antithrombin deficiency.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmaceutical Services University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California 95817-2201, USA. william.dager@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu
authors.forename: William E
authors.initials: WE
authors.lastname: Dager
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Gosselin
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Owings
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000172:deficiency*; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010314:Partial Thromboplastin Time; D010875:Pipecolic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D010875:Pipecolic Acids; D013449:Sulfonamides; D001120:Arginine; C031942:argatroban