Extensive prolongation of aPTT with argatroban in an elderly patient with improving renal function, normal hepatic enzymes, and metastatic lung cancer

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of an elderly male with improving renal function and normal hepatic function who sustained an elevated activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) after an infusion of argatroban was discontinued. CASE SUMMARY: A 77-year-old white male with a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and metastatic lung disease was started on argatroban for treatment of a right upper-extremity deep vein thrombosis (DVT). The infusion was initiated at 2.0 microg/kg/min and was titrated to a goal aPTT of 60-80 seconds. Argatroban was discontinued due to an aPTT elevated to >100 seconds; the aPTT remained elevated for 130 hours after discontinuation of the infusion. DISCUSSION: Argatroban dose reductions in patients with impaired liver and renal function test values have been reported. Elderly subjects may have a prolonged clearance compared with young healthy subjects, although the duration of effect has not been established. As of April 18, 2005, the effect of liver metastasis on argatroban pharmacokinetics in the setting of normal liver function enzyme levels has not been reported. An objective causality assessment using the Naranjo probability scale showed that the prolonged aPTT was probably attributable to argatroban. CONCLUSIONS: Clinicians should exercise caution when initiating argatroban at a dose of 2.0 microg/kg/min in elderly patients with underlying comorbidities, such as metastatic disease and renal impairment, since this may lead to excessive and prolonged anticoagulation and increased risk of bleeding.

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

Case of 77-year-old male with HIT and metastatic lung cancer whose aPTT remained elevated >100 seconds for 130 hours after argatroban discontinuation, suggesting age, comorbidities, and hepatic metastasis can prolong clearance.

Leech-derived molecules this paper discusses, each with a full profile in the ASH compound registry:

Explore cómo esta investigación se conecta con la práctica clínica

More peer-reviewed studies in Desarrollo de fármacos.

• Novel Leech Antimicrobial Peptides — Hirunipins — Kumar et al. (2025)
• Medicinal Leech Genome Assembly — Anticoagulant Gene Catalog — Kvist et al. (2020)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• Hirudotherapy in Medicine and Dentistry — Jha K et al. (2015)
• Medicinal leech therapy (hirudotherapy): a brief overview — Singh A (2010)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN PRESBYACUZIS PRAECOX IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT DURING THE POST-CATASTROPHE YEARS — Zabolotnyi D, Mishchanchuk N (2019)
• Investigation of oxidant-antioxidant status in patients treated with hirudotherapy: an experimental study — Sarikan I, Savas H (2024)
• Leech therapeutic applications — Abdualkader A et al. (2013)
• Non-Occlusive Mesenteric Ischemia Due to Hirudotherapy: A Case Report — Akalın Ç, Ekmen N (2020)
• Leech therapy: a history — Hyson J (2005)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →