Bivalirudin-based versus conventional heparin anticoagulation for postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Retrospective comparison published in Crit Care (2011)
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) after cardiac operations (postcardiotomy) is commonly used for the treatment of acute heart failure refractory to drug treatment. Bleeding and thromboembolic events are the most common complications of postcardiotomy ECMO. The present study is a retrospective comparison of the conventional heparin-based anticoagulation protocol with a bivalirudin-based, heparin-free protocol. Endpoints of this study are blood loss, allogeneic blood product use, and costs during the ECMO procedure. METHODS: A retrospective study was undertaken in the setting of cardiac surgery, anesthesia, and intensive care departments of a university research hospital. Twenty-one patients (12 adults and nine children) who underwent postcardiotomy ECMO from 2008 through 2011 were retrospectively analyzed. The first consecutive eight patients were treated with heparin-based anticoagulation (H-group) and the next 13 consecutive patients with bivalirudin-based anticoagulation (B-group). The following parameters were analyzed: standard coagulation profile, thromboelastographic parameters, blood loss, allogeneic blood products use, thromboembolic complications, and costs during the ECMO treatment. RESULTS: Patients in the B-group had significantly longer activated clotting times, activated partial thromboplastin times, and reaction times at thromboelastography. The platelet count and antithrombin activity were not significantly different, but in the H-group a significantly higher amount of platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, and purified antithrombin were administered. Blood loss was significantly lower in the B-group, and the daily cost of ECMO was significantly lower in pediatric patients treated with bivalirudin. Thromboembolic complications did not differ between groups. CONCLUSIONS: Bivalirudin as the sole anticoagulant can be safely used for postcardiotomy ECMO, with a better coagulation profile, less bleeding, and allogeneic transfusions. No safety issues were raised by this study, and costs are reduced in bivalirudin-treated patients.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Retrospective comparison of 21 postcardiotomy ECMO patients (12 adults, 9 children); bivalirudin had less blood loss, fewer transfusions and lower daily ECMO cost in pediatric patients versus heparin.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This retrospective comparative study analyzed 21 postcardiotomy ECMO patients (12 adults, 9 children) treated with either heparin-based (n=8) or bivalirudin-based (n=13) anticoagulation. The abstract reports that the bivalirudin group had significantly longer ACT and aPTT, required fewer platelet concentrates, fresh frozen plasma, and antithrombin, had lower blood loss, and showed lower daily ECMO cost in pediatric patients, with no difference in thromboembolic complications. Relevance to ASH is indirect: bivalirudin is a hirudin analog, but no leeches or leech therapy are involved. The study is retrospective with small, consecutive (non-randomized) groups, limiting causal inference, though no safety issues were raised.
Citation
Bivalirudin-based versus conventional heparin anticoagulation for postcardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation.
Ranucci M et al. · Critical care, 2011
Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026