Bivalirudin use in off-pump myocardial revascularization in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Jeffrey N Bott1, Karan Reddy, Stacie Krick

  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Orlando, Florida 32809, USA. jbott@cvsorlando.com

With advances in therapy of acute coronary syndromes, repetitive exposure to heparin has become commonplace. Consequently, the incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia has risen. Limited strategies for management exist, and new thrombin inhibitors may provide safe alternatives to heparin. Two patients with documented heparin-induced thrombocytopenia underwent revascularization using a new thrombin inhibitor (Bivalirudin [Angiomax, Medicines Co, Cambridge, MA]) for anticoagulation. Both patients had uneventful perioperative hospitalizations. Thrombin inhibition with Bivalirudin (Angiomax) may provide a safe reliable alternative to heparin use in cardiac surgery [corrected].

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