American Society of Hirudotherapy

Direct Thrombin Inhibitor for LVAD Thrombosis: A Closer Look

Review published in Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis (2016)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Narrative reviewDrug DevelopmentRimsans J et al. · Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis, 2016

Abstract

Available options for the treatment of advanced heart failure have expanded to include the use of mechanical circulatory assist devices to improve quality of life in those both eligible and ineligible for heart transplant. Although there have been significant advancements in device technologies, anticoagulation protocols, and multidisciplinary team management, bleeding and thrombosis are the most common adverse effects. Management strategies for pump thrombosis and their outcomes vary considerably among mechanical circulatory support centers and include intensification of antithrombotic therapy (medical) and device exchange (surgical). We describe a successful case of medical therapy for pump thrombosis with bivalirudin monotherapy.

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

Publication typeJournal ArticleReview
Indexed MeSH termsAntithrombinsExtracorporeal CirculationHeart FailureHirudinsHumansPeptide FragmentsRecombinant ProteinsThrombosis

Summary

Available options for the treatment of advanced heart failure have expanded to include the use of mechanical circulatory assist devices to improve quality of life in those both eligible and ineligible for heart transplant.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This article describes a successful case of medical therapy for pump thrombosis in a mechanical circulatory assist device using bivalirudin monotherapy, contextualized within a discussion of bleeding and thrombosis as the most common adverse effects of these devices. Bivalirudin is a direct thrombin inhibitor structurally modeled on hirudin, the anticoagulant from medicinal leech saliva. For ASH's domain, this represents a clinically deployed hirudin-derived pharmaceutical used in a complex cardiovascular setting. CAVEAT: The note is based solely on the abstract, which does not specify the study design; it reports on a synthetic recombinant analog rather than leech therapy or crude leech secretome, and no controlled trial data are presented.

Citation

Direct Thrombin Inhibitor for LVAD Thrombosis: A Closer Look

Rimsans J et al. · Clinical and applied thrombosis/hemostasis : official journal of the International Academy of Clinical and Applied Thrombosis/Hemostasis, 2016

DOI

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

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