Idarucizumab for Reversal of Dabigatran Prior to Acute Surgery: A Schematic Approach Based on a Case Report

Dabigatran, an oral direct thrombin inhibitor, is frequently used in treatment of venous thromboembolism and prevention of stroke in non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Recently, idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment that reverses the dabigatran effect, was introduced to the market to be used in case of life-threatening bleeding or acute surgery/invasive procedures. Whether usage should be guided by measurement of plasma dabigatran and/or other coagulation parameters is, however, still uncertain. We here describe the use of idarucizumab prior to acute surgery in a patient on dabigatran and acetylsalicylic acid. In this case, the decision to use idarucizumab was based on the clinical manifestations and other routine coagulation parameters, as the plasma dabigatran concentration was not available prior to administration. Due to challenges with the plasma dabigatran analysis and taking the safety of idarucizumab into consideration, it could be questioned whether a dabigatran measurement in general is necessary in this setting. Based on this case, we suggest a scheduled approach when considering requesting a plasma dabigatran measurement prior to administration of idarucizumab.