[Hirudin and hirudin fragments]
Research article published in Annales de cardiologie et d'angeiologie (1992)
Abstract
Hirudin is a potent and specific thrombin inhibitor: compared with heparin thrombin inhibition occurs directly and does not require the presence of plasma cofactors. Recombinant hirudin is well tolerated in animals and in healthy volunteers. Its clearance half-life after IV administration range from 1 to 2 hours and its bioavailability after subcutaneous administration reaches 75%. In most of the experimental models the ratio of the haemorrhagic side effect against the antithrombotic efficacy is satisfactory. Hirudin analogs are mono or bivalent according to their recognition site on thrombin. Bivalent derivatives (Hirulogs) have been mostly evaluated: they exhibit pharmacologic properties similar experimental to that of recombinant hirudin and have been successfully used in several thrombosis models and in healthy volunteers. Taking into account these data the most appropriate use for hirudin and hirudin derivatives should be clinical situations where the role of thrombin is important or which are only partially controlled by heparin therapy.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Hirudin is a potent and specific thrombin inhibitor: compared with heparin thrombin inhibition occurs directly and does not require the presence of plasma cofactors.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Este artículo examina las propiedades farmacológicas y el potencial terapéutico de la hirudina y sus derivados, caracterizando a la hirudina como un inhibidor potente, específico y directo de la trombina cuyo mecanismo no requiere cofactores plasmáticos, a diferencia de la heparina. El resumen reporta los parámetros farmacocinéticos de la hirudina recombinante en animales y voluntarios sanos, y describe la evaluación de análogos bivalentes de hirudina (Hirulogs) en modelos experimentales de trombosis y en voluntarios sanos. Este trabajo es relevante para el ámbito de la ASH porque la hirudina es un compuesto bioactivo clave, central en la terapia con hirudina, y el resumen aborda su farmacología, tolerabilidad y posibles aplicaciones clínicas en afecciones trombóticas en las que la heparina es solo parcialmente efectiva. Sin embargo, el resumen no hace referencia a sanguijuelas, saliva de sanguijuela ni al secretoma salival, y según lo reportado, sus hallazgos se limitan a animales, modelos experimentales y voluntarios sanos en lugar de poblaciones de pacientes.
Citación
[Hirudin and hirudin fragments].
Deschamps A, Samama M · Annales de cardiologie et d'angeiologie, 1992
Contexto clínico relacionado
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: March 18, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026