Hirudins in the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and in thrombosis prophylaxis
Research article published in Hamostaseologie (2002)
Abstract
Approved indications for the recombinant hirudins lepirudin (Refludan(R)) und desirudin (Revasc(R)) are therapy of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and thrombosis prophylaxis following knee or hip replacement surgery. Kidney function dependent pharmacokinetics and their capability of inducing antibodies directed against hirudin are characteristic of this class of drugs. However, close dose-monitoring allows safe and effective use of both compounds. While lepirudin is used widely, besides danaparoid, for treatment of HIT, desirudin has not yet been widely accepted for thrombosis prophylaxis following knee or hip replacement surgery.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Summary
Hirudins in the treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and in thrombosis prophylaxis.
Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy
This article reviews the clinical use and pharmacological properties of the recombinant hirudins lepirudin and desirudin for treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and thrombosis prophylaxis following knee or hip replacement surgery. The abstract notes that these compounds have kidney-function-dependent pharmacokinetics and can induce anti-hirudin antibodies, but close dose-monitoring allows safe and effective use. While lepirudin is widely used for HIT management, desirudin has not been widely accepted for thrombosis prophylaxis. For ASH's domain, this is relevant as it discusses the therapeutic translation and clinical monitoring of pharmaceutical agents based on hirudin. However, the article focuses solely on these recombinant drugs and does not provide new primary data on live hirudotherapy or the broader leech secretome.
Citation
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