American Society of Hirudotherapy

Desirudin (Revasc) to prevent thromboembolic complications after hip or knee replacement surgery

Research article published in Therapie (2002)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Clinical trialDrug DevelopmentHeiz-Valle C et al. · Therapie, 2002

Abstract

Since March 1999, desirudin (REVASC), a recombinant hirudin, has been used in Nancy to treat patients who undergo total hip or knee replacement with a high risk of thromboembolic complications. We carried out a retrospective study using clinical data on the first 15 consecutive patients treated with desirudin to find out prescription motivations, type of shift (indirect anticoagulants or low-molecular-weight-heparin) and evolution. They all had a high risk of deep vein thrombosis (thrombophily, obesity, history of thromboembolic events). Some of this patients would have been excluded of the studies which permitted desirudin to be approved. In this study, we found no thromboembolic complications. The only striking facts are one bleeding complication (after difficult surgery) and one pulmonary embolism (2 months later).

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

Publication typeClinical TrialJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAgedArthroplasty, Replacement, HipArthroplasty, Replacement, KneeFemaleFibrinolytic AgentsHirudin TherapyHirudinsHumansMaleMiddle AgedPostoperative ComplicationsRecombinant Proteins

Summary

Desirudin (Revasc) to prevent thromboembolic complications after hip or knee replacement surgery.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This retrospective study examined the first 15 consecutive high-risk patients treated with desirudin, identified in the abstract as a recombinant hirudin, to prevent thromboembolic complications following total hip or knee replacement surgery. The study found no immediate thromboembolic complications but noted one bleeding complication following difficult surgery and one delayed pulmonary embolism occurring two months later. The abstract describes desirudin as a recombinant product and makes no mention of leeches, leech saliva, or hirudotherapy, so no defensible connection to ASH's domain is established. The study is also limited by its very small sample size of 15 patients, which precludes definitive safety or efficacy conclusions.

Citation

Desirudin (Revasc) to prevent thromboembolic complications after hip or knee replacement surgery

Heiz-Valle C et al. · Therapie, 2002

DOIPubMed

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