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Updated: May 28, 2026

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Published on: February 28, 2012
Advances in anticoagulation: focus on dabigatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor
1Cardiovascular and Thoracic Anesthesiology and Critical Care Section, Department of Anesthesiology and Critical Care, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA. yiandoc@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Dabigatran is an oral direct thrombin inhibitor with a rapid onset. Patients on dabigatran do not require coagulation monitoring. Recent prospective randomized trials have shown the efficacy of dabigatran for the prevention of venous thromboembolism after knee or hip arthroplasty and for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Because dabigatran is cleared principally by the kidneys, dosage adjustments are required in the setting of renal dysfunction. There currently is no reversal agent for dabigatran although hemodialysis can facilitate its rapid removal in life-threatening circumstances. The management of severe bleeding associated with dabigatran also may include the administration of a procoagulant, such as recombinant activated factor VII. Based on recent guidelines, regional anesthesia should be used cautiously in patients taking this novel oral thrombin inhibitor.
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