American Society of Hirudotherapy

Characterisation of antithrombin-dependent anticoagulants through clot waveform analysis to potentially distinguish them from antithrombin-independent inhibitors targeting activated coagulation factors

Comparative study published in Journal of clinical pathology (2020)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Observational studyDrug DevelopmentWakui M et al. · Journal of clinical pathology, 2020

Abstract

AIMS: While antithrombin (AT)-independent inhibitors targeting thrombin or activated factor X have been assessed through clot waveform (CWA), there are no reports on assessment with respect to AT-dependent anticoagulants. The present study aims to characterise AT-dependent anticoagulants through CWA to distinguish them from AT-independent inhibitors. METHODS: CWA was applied to the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) assay of plasma samples spiked with each of AT-dependent drugs (unfractionated heparin, enoxaparin and fondaparinux) and AT-independent drugs (rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, argatroban, hirudin and bivalirudin), which was performed using the CS-5100 or CN-6000 (Sysmex). The APTT-CWA data were automatically gained by the analyser program. The positive mode of clotting reaction curves was defined as the direction towards fibrin generation. RESULTS: Regarding dose-response curves in AT-dependent anticoagulants, the maximum positive values of the first and secondary derivatives (Max1 and Maxp2, respectively) and the maximum negative values of the secondary derivative (Maxn2) seemed to drop to zero without making an asymptotic line, consistent with the irreversibility. Such a feature was observed also in hirudin, as reported previously. Notably, the symmetric property of Max1 peaks in the waveforms was distorted dose dependently in AT independent but not AT-dependent drugs. A plot of Maxp2 logarithm versus Maxn2 logarithm was linear. The slope was about 1 in AT-dependent drugs while that was more than 1 in AT-independent drugs. These features made it possible to distinguish AT-dependent and AT-independent drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results aid in further understanding of the pharmacological aspects of anticoagulation and in screening of candidates for novel anticoagulants.

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

Publication typeComparative StudyJournal Article
Indexed MeSH termsAnticoagulantsAntithrombinsBlood CoagulationClot RetractionDose-Response Relationship, DrugFactor Xa InhibitorsHumansPartial Thromboplastin TimePredictive Value of Tests

Summary

While antithrombin (AT)-independent inhibitors targeting thrombin or activated factor X have been assessed through clot waveform (CWA), there are no reports on assessment with respect to AT-dependent anticoagulants.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This comparative in vitro study used clot waveform analysis (CWA) of the activated partial thromboplastin time assay to characterize and distinguish antithrombin-dependent anticoagulants (e.g., heparins, fondaparinux) from antithrombin-independent inhibitors (e.g., rivaroxaban, dabigatran, argatroban, hirudin, and bivalirudin) using plasma samples spiked with each drug. Hirudin and bivalirudin were included as direct thrombin inhibitors in the antithrombin-independent group, and the study describes how their waveform profiles differ from AT-dependent agents. This laboratory characterization may inform understanding of hirudin's pharmacological behavior in coagulation assays. The relevance is indirect: this is an analytical/pharmacological study with no therapeutic or hirudotherapy application, and hirudin is one of many drugs profiled rather than the study's focus.

Citation

Characterisation of antithrombin-dependent anticoagulants through clot waveform analysis to potentially distinguish them from antithrombin-independent inhibitors targeting activated coagulation factors

Wakui M et al. · Journal of clinical pathology, 2020

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

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