Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
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OBJECTIVES: Systemic heparinization is usually required for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, problems such as heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, protamine shock, and antithrombin III deficiency exist related to CPB with heparinization. The aim of this study was to evaluate argatroban (ARG) as a substitute for heparin during CPB. METHODS: In the pilot study, blood samples were sequentially obtained from dogs with continuous infusion of ARG at a dose of 10 (n = 6), 20 (n = 6), or 30 (n = 6) microg/kg per min for 2 h without CPB. In the main study, dogs underwent CPB for 2 h with 10 (n = 6) or 30 (n = 6) microg/kg per min of ARG or with heparin with blood samples obtained sequentially. Thrombogenicity in each group was evaluated by observation of the blood-contacting surfaces of the CPB circuits with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Evidence of thromboembolism in the dogs was also investigated in histological specimens of the kidney and spleen in addition to microscopic observation at autopsy. RESULTS: In the pilot study, the activated coagulation time (ACT) reached a maximum level dose-dependently after continuous infusion of ARG for 30 min. ACT returned to the baseline value within 60 min after the termination of continuous infusion. In the main study, CPB with 30 microg/kg per min of ARG achieved thrombin-antithrombin III complex (TAT) level similar to that achieved by CPB with heparin. Platelet count with 30 microg/kg per min of ARG tended to be higher than that with heparin or 10 microg/kg per min of ARG. The SEM appearance of blood-contacting surfaces of the CPB circuits after infusion with 30 microg/kg per min of ARG appeared to be similar to that after infusion with heparin. Depositions on the blood-contacting surfaces of the CPB circuits were also frequently observed with 10 microg/kg per min of ARG. CONCLUSIONS: Coagulability related to CPB was controlled by the appropriate ARG dosage without the use of heparin in dogs. ARG may be a substitute for heparin in CPB.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia/thrombosis is an immunologic reaction to unfractionated heparin characterized by thrombocytopenia, platelet activation and thrombosis. A high index of suspicion is required for timely diagnosis and treatment. Treatment is complex and outcome maybe less then satisfactory.
BACKGROUND: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a potentially limb- and life-threatening response to heparin exposure. Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTIs) have been reported to provide anti-coagulation for cardiopulmonary bypass; however, clot formation within the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit has been reported after the administration of DTIs. We present a case of thrombosis of the cardiopulmonary bypass circuit and, ultimately, death after argatroban administration. An in vitro thrombelastographic assessment of the effects of DTIs on clot kinetics was consequently performed to determine potential causes for this complication. METHODS: Normal human plasma was unmodified or exposed to heparin (1, 2, 3 U/ml), argatroban (5, 10, 50 microg/ml), bivalirudin (12, 20, 120 microg/ml), or lepirudin (3, 6, 10 microg/ml) before activation with tissue factor/kaolin in a thrombelastograph. Clot initiation (R, reaction time), propagation (MTG, maximum thrombus generation), and strength (MG, maximum elastic modulus) were determined. Analysis of variance was performed, with p < 0.05 considered significant. RESULTS: Compared with unmodified plasma, heparin significantly prolonged R and essentially reduced MTG and MG to the limits of detection in an activity-dependent fashion. In general, the DTIs tested prolonged R in a concentration-dependent fashion but did not diminish MTG or MG nearly as well as heparin. The only exception was 10 microg/ml lepirudin, which eliminated coagulation. CONCLUSIONS: DTIs demonstrated a significant prolongation of clot initiation but poor attenuation of propagation and strength. Further in vitro and clinical investigations to design a heparin-equivalent regimen to provide anti-coagulation for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia are indicated.
OBJECTIVES: We examined the lytic effects of anti-glycoprotein (GP) IIb/IIIa agents on platelet thrombi formed on the collagen surface under blood flow conditions. BACKGROUND: Anti-GP IIb/IIIa agents may influence platelet thrombi already formed. METHODS: Blood samples were anticoagulated either by the specific antithrombin Argatroban (100 microM) or by unfractionated heparin (0.1 U/ml). After platelet thrombi were formed on a collagen surface following 6-min perfusion of whole blood obtained from eight adult donors containing fluorescinated platelets at a wall shear rate of 1,500 s(-1), additional blood samples from the same donors either containing or not containing anti-GP IIb/IIIa agents (abciximab, eptifibatide, or tirofiban) were perfused on these thrombi. The three-dimensional structures of the platelet thrombi were continuously observed by laser confocal microscopy equipped with a piezo-electric motor control unit and recorded. RESULTS: The platelet thrombi started to dissolve after perfusion of blood containing the anti-GP IIb/IIIa agents, whereas their growth resumed after subsequent perfusion of control blood. Only a single layer of platelets having heights of 3 +/- 1 microm, 3 +/- 2 microm, and 3 +/- 1 microm, respectively, could be seen after 6-min perfusion of blood containing abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban, whereas the initial height of the platelet thrombi of 8 +/- 2 microm increased to 11 +/- 4 microm after subsequent perfusion of control blood (n = 8). The volume of the platelet thrombi, which was 3,352 +/- 1,045 microm(3) before starting the second perfusion, was reduced to 778 +/- 102 microm(3), 812 +/- 122 microm(3), and 856 +/- 144 microm(3) after 6-min perfusion of blood containing abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We have shown in this study that anti-GP IIb/IIIa agents possess the ability to dissolve platelet thrombi.
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The mechanism of the antithrombotic effects of heparin and the synthetic antithrombin agent argatroban was evaluated in a dog model. Thrombus formation following balloon injury was evaluated by angioscopy in the right iliac arteries of 20 dogs to serve as a control. After the evaluation of the growth of thrombus on the control side, heparin (200 U/kg) or argatroban (0.2 mg/kg) was infused intravenously, and the distal site of the contralateral left iliac artery was injured in the same manner. At 30 to 120 min before the final examination, the proximal site of the left iliac artery also was injured. After antithrombotic drug infusion, the percent angioscopic stenosis at the distal site was much lower (P<0.0001) than that of the control site (mean stenosis index: 0.67 in heparin vs. 3.8 in control, and 0.25 in argatroban vs. 4.3 in control); however, thrombus formation was observed at the proximal site. With local delivery of a low dose of either antithrombotic drug (n=10), an antithrombotic effect was maintained until 4 h after the infusion. A very weak fluorescence of FITC-heparin was detected at the injured artery 2 h after infusion. In a shunt experiment involving 5 dogs, carotid arteries were injured and incubated in oxygenated Krebs--Henseleit solution before auto grafting into the femoral artery. At 2 h after the grafting, no thrombus was formed in the grafted vessels incubated for 4 h, but was formed in those incubated for 10 min. These results indicate that the relatively long antithrombotic effect of these drugs may be due to a local drug effect at the injured artery, as well as the recovery of the anti-thrombogenicity of the injured artery.
Thrombin, a serine protease essential for blood coagulation, also plays an important role in cellular injury associated with intracerebral hemorrhage. Here, we show that, in organotypic cortico-striatal slice cultures, thrombin evoked delayed neuronal injury in the cerebral cortex and shrinkage of the striatum. These effects were prevented by cycloheximide and actinomycin D but not by a caspase-3 inhibitor. Thrombin-induced shrinkage of the striatum was abolished by a thrombin inhibitor argatroban or prior heat inactivation of thrombin, and significantly attenuated by a protease-activated receptor-1 antagonist FR171113. However, thrombin-induced cortical injury was not prevented either by heat inactivation or by FR171113, and was only partially inhibited by argatroban. In addition, inhibition of extracelluar signal-regulated kinase (ERK), Src tyrosine kinase and protein kinase C prevented both neuronal injury in the cortex and shrinkage of the striatum, whereas inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and c-Jun N-terminal kinase prevented shrinkage of the striatum only. Thrombin treatment promptly induced phosphorylation of ERK, which was not prevented by inhibition of Src and protein kinase C. Thus, thrombin induces cellular injury in the cerebral cortex and the striatum, by recruiting multiple and distinct signaling pathways in protease activity-independent as well as dependent manner.
INTRODUCTION: Heparin therapy is not recommended for patients with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), except in specialized situations, because this treatment can lead to severe reactions including thrombocytopenia and thrombosis. However, the optimal management of patients with a history of HIT requiring acute anticoagulation has not yet been clarified because of the lack of prospective studies. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of argatroban, a direct thrombin inhibitor, as an anticoagulant in patients with a history of HIT needing acute anticoagulation. METHODS: Thirty-six patients with a history of serologically confirmed HIT were treated prospectively with argatroban [median (5th-95th percentile) dose of 2.0 (1.0-4.3) microg/kg/min for 4.0 (0.7-8.4) days]. Prospectively defined endpoints included successful anticoagulation (therapeutic activated partial thromboplastin time), and bleeding, new thromboembolic events, or other adverse effects during therapy or within 30 days following its cessation. RESULTS: All patients required acute anticoagulation with the most common admission diagnoses being deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism (n=13) and chest pain or acute coronary syndrome (n=12). Eleven patients had previously received argatroban therapy for HIT; one patient underwent two treatment courses of argatroban for a history of HIT. The median (5th-95th percentile) time between the past diagnosis of HIT and initiation of argatroban was 7.5 (0.4-114.6) months. All evaluable patients were successfully anticoagulated. No patient had major bleeding, new thromboembolic events, or other adverse effects. There were no adverse events related to reexposure. CONCLUSIONS: Argatroban can provide safe and effective anticoagulation, on initial or repeat exposure, in patients with a history of HIT.
BACKGROUND: Qualitative differences in antithrombotic efficacy between thrombin inhibitors may be explained by the affinity for which they bind thrombin. This affinity is inversely proportional to the inhibitory constant for the agent (Ki). Thrombin inhibitors, DuP714 (Ki=10(-11)) and argatroban (Ki=10(-8)), were compared to our previous studies with r-hirudin (Ki=10(-13)). METHODS AND RESULTS: Prior to balloon angioplasty, thirty pigs randomly received DuP714 (0.1 mg/kg bolus and 0.6 mg/kg/h infusion; n=8), argatroban (0.2 mg/kg/min. continuous infusion; n=9), or saline (n=17). Injured arterial segments were measured for (111)In-platelet and 125I-fibrin(ogen) deposition and the incidence of macroscopic thrombus. In DuP714-treated animals, platelet and fibrin(ogen) deposition were significantly lower than controls in both carotid (10+/-2 vs. 62+/-18 and 20+/-4 vs. 74+/-6) and coronary (10+/-4 vs. 160+/-63 and 17+/-3 vs. 86+/-22) arteries (p<0.005). In contrast, platelet and fibrin(ogen) deposition were similar when comparing argatroban to saline in carotid (41+/-20 vs. 40+/-9 and 71+/-5 vs. 49+/-7) and coronary (92+/-33 vs. 151+/-45 and 114+/-37 vs. 89+/-38) arteries (p=0.82 and 0.38, respectively). Compared to argatroban, fibrin(ogen) (p<0.001) and coronary platelet deposition (p<0.05) were significantly reduced in animals treated with DuP714 with no significant difference in carotid platelet deposition (p=0.10). Neither inhibitor prevented macroscopic thrombosis. In previous studies with r-hirudin in this model, platelet deposition was limited to a monolayer with complete inhibition of macroscopic thrombus. CONCLUSIONS: Direct thrombin inhibitors do not equally prevent arterial thrombosis. Qualitative differences may be explained in part by the affinity for which they bind thrombin.
INTRODUCTION: Recent studies from Europe have demonstrated that patients with end-stage renal disease who receive a kidney transplant are at an increased risk for rejection and graft loss when compared with patients who have no known thrombophilia. The role of anticoagulation has not been investigated in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively tested patients who were evaluated for a kidney transplant for 8 thrombophilias, protein S and C deficiencies, factor V Leiden mutation, antithrombin III deficiency, anticardiolipin antibody, lupus anticoagulant, prothrombin gene mutation, and heparin-induced platelet antibody (HIPA). Patients with any identified thrombophilia received heparin or argatroban (for HIPA (+) patients) followed by coumadin for 1 year after transplantation. Triple therapy included cyclosporine, prednisone, and CellCept (Roche Pharmaceuticals, Nutley, NJ, USA). Sensitized, black, or repeat transplantation patients received induction with an interleukin (IL)-2 inhibitor. Data were collected in a retrospective manner. Rejection was biopsy-proven. RESULTS: Of the 112 transplant recipients who were tested for thrombophilia, 37 had 1 or more thrombophilia and 75 had no thrombophilia identified. Twenty-six patients received heparin and 11 received argatroban. There were no differences in recipient age, cold storage time, graft loss, HLA match, rejection episodes, 1-year graft survival, or serum creatinine level at 1 year. Significant differences were noted in posttransplantation bleeding, 35% versus 5%, and delayed graft function, 32% versus 15%, in patients with thrombophilia versus no thrombophilia, respectively. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate that there is no increase in rejection or graft loss in kidney transplant recipients with thrombophilia when treated with anticoagulation and triple immunosuppression.
The purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of different types of retinal neurons to the d-wave of the primate electroretinogram using pharmacological agents. NMDA + TTX was used to suppress inner retinal activity, and APB and PDA to block the activity of the ON- and OFF-pathways, respectively. Results indicated that the inner retinal neurons had a small but certain contribution to the d-wave. The initial rapid phase of the d-wave originates from the activity of the cone OFF-pathway nearly exclusively, and the later slow phase is shaped by the cone photoreceptors. The cone ON-pathway acts in a direction opposite to that of the other components.
Heparin, an important agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolism, also can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). This medication-induced immune-mediated syndrome is characterized by thrombocytopenia and life- or limb-threatening thrombotic events. The initial presentation of HIT is a decrease in platelet count with or without thrombosis. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia frequently is overlooked in hospital settings, and it must be distinguished from other causes of thrombocytopenia. New therapies include the use of direct thrombin inhibitors argatroban and hirudin.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a serious complication of heparin therapy, mandates heparin cessation and alternative anticoagulation. We report a patient with a history of HIT who successfully underwent cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) using short-term reexposure to heparin and perioperative therapy with argatroban. No bleeding complications or HIT-related problems occurred. The pharmacokinetics of argatroban, especially its hepatic rather than renal elimination, makes it the drug of choice for some HIT patients in whom other alternative anticoagulants (eg, danaparoid and hirudin) are less well suited. Because of interference with the international normalized ratio (INR), switching from argatroban to oral anticoagulants is not straightforward.
Whereas heparin is the most widely used intravenous anticoagulant in the US for the treatment of thromboembolic disease and is a seminal adjunct to many clinical procedures, its use can cause serious adverse events. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) has emerged as one of the most frequently seen complications of heparin therapy and can be a life-threatening immunohematological challenge for patients requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) with obligatory heparin exposure. Unfortunately, lack of convenient monitoring techniques and the presence of HIT and other comorbidities in the complex patient frequently limits or precludes the use of most alternatives to heparin anticoagulation during CPB. This case report describes the successful use of the celite activated clotting time and high-dose thrombin time, while using the direct thrombin inhibitor Argatroban as an alternative to heparin anticoagulation during CPB in a high-risk patient presenting with type II HIT, end-stage renal failure, and ischemic cardiomyopathy with ventricular fibrillatory arrest.
We report on a 51-year-old man with severe two-vessel coronary disease and an ejection fraction of 15% who presented with myocardial ischemia and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia after coronary angioplasty. Before coronary bypass surgery, the antithrombin agent argatroban was used for anticoagulation and an intraaortic balloon pump was inserted. Direct coronary bypass surgery was performed to the left anterior descending artery and to the posterior descending artery using the 'Octopus' tissue stabilization device (Manfrotto, Feltre, Italy). The postoperative course was uneventful and associated with normal platelet counts. The patient was discharged on the 6th postoperative day.
The disturbance of microcirculation following cerebral ischemia leads to an enlargement of cerebral infarct volume. Endogenous thrombin may play a role in this disturbance of microcirculation following cerebral ischemia. Therefore, the inhibition of thrombin may improve neurodegeneration and the accumulation of cerebral edema following cerebral ischemia in gerbils. The effects of thrombin inhibitor (argatroban) on cerebral ischemia were investigated in comparison with thromboxane A2 synthase inhibitor (ozagrel) and cyclooxygenase inhibitor (aspirin) following bilateral common carotid artery occlusion and reperfusion (CCA:O/R) in male Mongolian gerbils. This study consisted of three experiments: (1) morbidity and survival ratio (n=40 for each), (2) histopathology (n=12 for each), and (3) mean arterial blood pressure, local cerebral blood flow (CBF), and cerebral specific gravity (n=8 for each). Argatroban treatment improved survival ratio and stroke index, and decreased ischemically injured cell numbers in cortex and hippocampus and cerebral edema in cortex compared with aspirin and saline, in concert with the fast recovery of local CBF without reactive hyperemia following bilateral CCA:O/R. Ozagrel treatment also improved those factors compared with saline, in concert with the fast recovery of local CBF with reactive hyperemia. Aspirin treatment improved survival ratio and stroke index, and decreased ischemically injured cell numbers in cortex. Thrombin inhibition with argatroban decreases neurodegeneration and cerebral edema following bilateral CCA:O/R in gerbils.
We assessed the effects of active site-directed, fibrinogen recognition exosite (FRE)-directed and bifunctional thrombin inhibitors, on shear-induced platelet reactivity (adhesion/aggregation) and dynamic coagulation (coagulation of flowing blood). An in vitro test for shear-induced haemostatic plug formation and dynamic coagulation (haemostatometry) was employed using non-anticoagulated rat blood. The active site-directed inhibitors (argatroban, P891, P899) caused inhibition of platelet reactivity and coagulation at 1-, 100- and 100-microM concentrations, respectively. Bifunctional inhibitors (P553, P1053) exerted inhibitory effects at 0.1 microM. A dimeric bifunctional inhibitor P824 caused significant inhibition at 1 microM. The FRE-directed inhibitor (P960) inhibited shear-induced platelet reactivity at 10 microM but the dynamic coagulation at 1 microM. Combination of active site-directed argatroban and FRE-directed P960 did not show any synergistic effect. The most potent inhibition was observed in monomeric bifunctional inhibitors. The inhibitory effects were compared with the K(i) values against human thrombin and with the IC(50) values against fibrin clot formation. The minimum effective concentrations on shear-induced platelet reactivity and dynamic coagulation were comparable with the IC(50) values, but not with the K(i) values.