American Society of Hirudotherapy

Safety of desirudin in thrombosis prevention after total knee arthroplasty: the DESIR-ABLE study

Research article published in American journal of therapeutics (2014)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Clinical trialDrug DevelopmentJove M et al. · American journal of therapeutics, 2014

Abstract

Desirudin, administered 30 minutes before total hip arthroplasty is superior to enoxaparin in preventing proximal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism (PE) with similar bleeding. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of desirudin in patients undergoing elective total knee arthroplasty (TKA) when the first dose of desirudin was administered the evening after surgery. This is a case series of patients undergoing TKA who received desirudin 15 mg every 12 hours subcutaneously for an average of 5 days with the first dose administered postoperatively. The primary endpoint was major bleeding; secondary endpoints included wound outcomes (oozing and infection) and new symptomatic DVT or PE. Desirudin has a favorable safety profile when administered postoperatively in patients undergoing TKA with no reports of major bleeding, wound ooze, or infection. No patients experienced symptomatic DVT, but 2 patients had PE detected by computed tomography after experiencing atypical symptoms. The safety profile of desirudin is improved when administered postoperatively. Bleeding and wound outcomes seem to occur less frequently than historical desirudin and enoxaparin controls.

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

Publication typeClinical TrialJournal ArticleMulticenter StudyResearch Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Indexed MeSH termsAdultAgedAged, 80 and overAnticoagulantsArthroplasty, Replacement, KneeDrug Administration ScheduleFemaleHemorrhageHirudinsHumansMaleMiddle Aged

Summary

Safety of desirudin in thrombosis prevention after total knee arthroplasty: the DESIR-ABLE study.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

The abstract describes a case series assessing the safety of desirudin 15 mg every 12 hours subcutaneously for about 5 days after elective total knee arthroplasty, with the first dose administered postoperatively and major bleeding as the primary endpoint. No major bleeding, wound ooze, infection, or symptomatic DVT was reported, although 2 patients had PE detected by computed tomography after atypical symptoms. The authors report a favorable postoperative safety profile and suggest bleeding and wound outcomes may occur less frequently than with historical desirudin and enoxaparin controls. The abstract does not describe desirudin as leech-derived or hirudin-related, so the study has no explicit hirudotherapy or leech-secretome component; its ASH relevance is indirect at most and based only on the named anticoagulant.

Citation

Safety of desirudin in thrombosis prevention after total knee arthroplasty: the DESIR-ABLE study

Jove M et al. · American journal of therapeutics, 2014

DOI

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

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