Successful use of bivalirudin for superior vena cava recanalization and stent placement in a child with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially life-threatening, adverse effect of heparin therapy. Patients with this complication require an alternative approach to anticoagulation. Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor with an efficacy comparable to that of heparin, a short half-life, and reduced bleeding complications in adults. We present the case of a 2-year-old boy with HIT Type II who underwent recanalization of an occluded superior vena cava and stent placement, utilizing bivalirudin as anticoagulant.
Breinholt
John P
JP
Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, One Baylor Plaza, Houston, TX, 77030, USA. jpbreinh@iupui.edu
Moffett
Brady S
BS
Texter
Karen M
KM
Ing
Frank F
FF
D000800:Angioplasty, Balloon; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000601:surgery*; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects; D006629:Hirudins; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D013479:Superior Vena Cava Syndrome / Q000628:therapy*; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006629:Hirudins; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D006493:Heparin; C074619:bivalirudin