[Argatroban, a selective thrombin inhibitor, for anticoagulant therapy during and following vascular surgery]

We administered argatroban, a selective thrombin inhibitor, as an anti-coagulant during and following vascular surgery. Activated coagulation time was controlled easily by its continuous intravenous infusion. No abnormal bleeding tendency and thrombus formation in graft and blood vessel were observed. The activity of thrombin was inhibited under the infusion of argatroban. We conclude that argatroban is effective for anti-coagulant therapy during and following vascular surgery.