American Society of Hirudotherapy

Comparison of the effects on coagulation function and safety of bivalirudin and heparin

Comparative study published in Medicine (2024)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Randomized controlled trialDrug DevelopmentClinical TrialsSafety & Infection ControlWang et al. · Medicine, 2024

Abstract

BACKGROUND: To analyze the effects on coagulation function and safety of bivalirudin and heparin in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and provide clinical evidence for their application. METHODS: A total of 42 patients with coronary heart disease undergoing PCI treatment from July 2019 to January 2022 at Datong Third People's Hospital in China were divided into 2 groups: the bivalirudin group and the heparin group. The former received perioperative administration of bivalirudin, while the latter received heparin. After 24 hours of treatment, blood indicators, coagulation functions, as well as cardiac, hepatic, and renal markers were evaluated. Additionally, Thrombolysis In Myocardial Infarction (TIMI) flow graded infarct-related vessel blood flow was assessed in both groups. Adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events were monitored for a duration of 12 months. RESULTS: The Activated clotting time (ACT), D-dimer (D-D), and prothrombin time (PT) levels in the bivalirudin group were significantly lower than those in the heparin group (P < .05). Both the bivalirudin and heparin groups showed significant improvement in TIMI flow grade after PCI (P < .05). The levels of Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB), N-terminal Pro-B-type Natriuretic Peptide (NT-proBNP) in the bivalirudin group were significantly lower than those in the heparin group (P < .05). There were no serious adverse cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in either group. CONCLUSION: Bivalirudin has a slightly superior impact on coagulation function and safety profile in patients undergoing PCI compared to heparin, and the preventive effect of both on postoperative cardiovascular events is similar.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled TrialComparative Study
Indexed MeSH termsAgedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedAnticoagulantsAntithrombinsBlood CoagulationChinaCoronary DiseaseHeparinHirudins

Summary

Comparative analysis of coagulation function and safety endpoints between bivalirudin and heparin.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This study of 42 coronary heart disease patients undergoing PCI at a Chinese hospital compared perioperative bivalirudin versus heparin, evaluating coagulation parameters, cardiac biomarkers, TIMI flow grade, and 12-month adverse events. Bivalirudin showed significantly lower activated clotting time, D-dimer, prothrombin time, CK-MB, and NT-proBNP levels, with no serious adverse cardiovascular or cerebrovascular events in either group. The abstract does not mention leeches, hirudin, the leech secretome, or any leech-derived substance. No defensible connection to hirudotherapy or ASH's domain exists based on the abstract; the study focuses entirely on comparing two pharmaceutical anticoagulants in interventional cardiology.

Citation

Comparison of the effects on coagulation function and safety of bivalirudin and heparin.

Wang et al. · Medicine, 2024

Added to ASH library: May 27, 2026 · Site last updated: June 18, 2026

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