Argatroban is an intravenous DTI （direct synthetic thrombin inhibitor） that is not routinely used for anticoagulation; thus, expertise surrounding its use is very limited. Therefore, this case reviews an unusually h...Argatroban is an intravenous DTI （direct synthetic thrombin inhibitor） that is not routinely used for anticoagulation; thus, expertise surrounding its use is very limited. Therefore, this case reviews an unusually high argatroban infusion rate, which was needed to prevent further emboli formation in a patient. In this case, a 61-year-old Caucasian male patient exhibited heparin resistance during an intraoperative vascular procedure as measured by activated clotting time and PTT （partial thromboplastin time）. The patient had multiple occlusions in his right lower extremities and underwent embolectomies of the right popliteal and posterior tibial arteries. The clinical pharmacist was consulted to manage the argatroban infusion once heparin was discontinued. The therapeutic window required a PTr of 1.5-3 times the patient baseline （35-75 s）. The patient was reported to be 89 kg with a baseline PTT of 24.7 s and INR （international normalized ratio） of 0.98. The starting dose ofargatroban was initiated by the pharmacist at 2 mcg/kg/min （10.7 mL/h） as the patient did not have hepatic failure or sepsis. The patient was maintained on argatroban in the therapeutic PTT window for more than 72 h; however, frequent and aggressive dose increases, to a final rate of 7.5 mcg/kg/min （40 mL/h）, were needed to maintain the therapeutic PTT level. From the case, the cause of heparin resistance still has not been determined despite a hematologic work-up; however, this patient required an unusually high infusion rate of argatroban to maintain a therapeutic PTT during the hospital course before being changed to an anticoagulation regimen for discharge.展开更多
Venous thromboembolism(VTE) encompasses deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and is a major health burden, both medically and economically. Anticoagulation is the primary treatment and can be divided into three...Venous thromboembolism(VTE) encompasses deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and is a major health burden, both medically and economically. Anticoagulation is the primary treatment and can be divided into three stages: initial, long term and extended treatment. Initial anticoagulation is given to reduce the risk of complications including fatal pulmonary embolism, while long term and extended treatment are aimed at prevention of recurrent VTE. Until recently, initial anticoagulation has only been achievable with administration of parental agents such as unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin, while vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin, have been the mainstay of long term and extended treatment. Factor-Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors are oral anticoagulants that are being increasingly utilized as an alternative form of anticoagulation. This article aims to review the current guidelines in the management of VTE, the recent literature regarding novel anticoagulants in VTE, suggested treatment regimes and limitations.展开更多
文摘Argatroban is an intravenous DTI （direct synthetic thrombin inhibitor） that is not routinely used for anticoagulation; thus, expertise surrounding its use is very limited. Therefore, this case reviews an unusually high argatroban infusion rate, which was needed to prevent further emboli formation in a patient. In this case, a 61-year-old Caucasian male patient exhibited heparin resistance during an intraoperative vascular procedure as measured by activated clotting time and PTT （partial thromboplastin time）. The patient had multiple occlusions in his right lower extremities and underwent embolectomies of the right popliteal and posterior tibial arteries. The clinical pharmacist was consulted to manage the argatroban infusion once heparin was discontinued. The therapeutic window required a PTr of 1.5-3 times the patient baseline （35-75 s）. The patient was reported to be 89 kg with a baseline PTT of 24.7 s and INR （international normalized ratio） of 0.98. The starting dose ofargatroban was initiated by the pharmacist at 2 mcg/kg/min （10.7 mL/h） as the patient did not have hepatic failure or sepsis. The patient was maintained on argatroban in the therapeutic PTT window for more than 72 h; however, frequent and aggressive dose increases, to a final rate of 7.5 mcg/kg/min （40 mL/h）, were needed to maintain the therapeutic PTT level. From the case, the cause of heparin resistance still has not been determined despite a hematologic work-up; however, this patient required an unusually high infusion rate of argatroban to maintain a therapeutic PTT during the hospital course before being changed to an anticoagulation regimen for discharge.
文摘Venous thromboembolism(VTE) encompasses deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism and is a major health burden, both medically and economically. Anticoagulation is the primary treatment and can be divided into three stages: initial, long term and extended treatment. Initial anticoagulation is given to reduce the risk of complications including fatal pulmonary embolism, while long term and extended treatment are aimed at prevention of recurrent VTE. Until recently, initial anticoagulation has only been achievable with administration of parental agents such as unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin, while vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin, have been the mainstay of long term and extended treatment. Factor-Xa inhibitors and direct thrombin inhibitors are oral anticoagulants that are being increasingly utilized as an alternative form of anticoagulation. This article aims to review the current guidelines in the management of VTE, the recent literature regarding novel anticoagulants in VTE, suggested treatment regimes and limitations.
