Argatroban use in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Authors: Boggio, Lisa N; Oza, Veeral M

Source: Expert Opinion on Pharmacotherapy, Volume 9, Number 11, August 2008 , pp. 1963-1967(5)

Buy & download fulltext article:

Price: $99.00 plus tax (Refund Policy)

Abstract:

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious, life-threatening complication which occurs in 1 - 3% of patients receiving heparin. Patients with untreated HIT have an up to 50% risk of developing life- and limb-threatening thromboembolic complications. Treatment is based upon clinical suspicion, stopping heparin therapy and initiation of anticoagulation with a rapidly acting alternative non-heparin anticoagulant, such as argatroban - a hepatically excreted direct thrombin inhibitor which is effective in the treatment of HIT. Objective: To summarize the pharmacological and clinical data, and discuss the impact of argatroban in the current treatment of HIT. Methods: A literature search was performed with the aid of Pubmed and Google. Search parameters of `argatroban', `heparin-induced thrombocytopenia' and `treatment' were input into both search engines. Conclusion: Argatroban is a safe and effective treatment for HIT. In patients taking other hepatically cleared medications, lower initial doses may have to be used to avoid over-anticoagulation.

Keywords: argatroban; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia; thrombin inhibitor

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1517/14656566.9.11.1963

Publication date: 2008-08-01

More about this publication?