title: Complications in peripheral vascular interventions: emerging role of direct thrombin inhibitors.
abstract: Unfractionated heparin is associated with a high rate of bleeding and thrombotic complications during peripheral vascular interventions (PVIs). Newer anticoagulants such as direct thrombin inhibitors might offer significant advantages over heparin. Early data with bivalirudin in the peripheral circulation are promising. Bivalirudin appears safe and effective when used during PVIs. Data with the use of other direct thrombin inhibitors (hirudin, r-hirudin, argatroban, and melagatran) in peripheral interventions are still lacking. Among these, argatroban and melagatran have pharmacologic properties that might offer some advantages in PVI, but further studies are needed to demonstrate their safety and effectiveness.
authors.affiliation: Midwest Cardiovascular Research Foundation and Cardiovascular Medicine, 1236 East Rusholme, Suite 300, Davenport, Iowa 52803, USA. shammas@mchsi.com
authors.forename: Nicolas W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Shammas
mesh_terms: D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon / Q000009:adverse effects; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects; D000991:Antithrombins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000517:prevention & control; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D013917:Thrombin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D000991:Antithrombins; D006493:Heparin; D013917:Thrombin