[The first use of iv. idarucizumab for dabigatran reversal in Hungary]

At present, the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran is the only one amongst the new direct anticoagulants which has an effective, specific reversal agent. The novel agent idarucizumab is a humanized, monoclonal antibody fragment binds to dabigatran within minutes thereby offers an opportunity to induce a safe, long-lasting reverse of the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran. The authors describe the first use of idarucizumab in Hungary (23. 05. 2016) in an old female patient with non-valvular paroxysmal atrial fibrillation of high stroke risk-score and renal dysfunction who was taking dabigatran (2 x 110 mg/day) when an acute abdomen developed requiring emergency cholecystectomy. Patient received the antidote (idarucizumab 2 x 2.5 g/50 ml iv.) two hours before the surgical intervention, and she did not have any uncontrollable, life-threatening bleeding during the surgery. The high activated partial thromboplastin time relating to anticoagulative influence before the surgery normalized completely after administration of the antidote. Antagonizing dabigatran with idarucizumab was feasible and safe without any side effects. The patient received dabigatran therapy again after her recovery. Orv. Hetil., 2017, 158(10), 387-392.