Recombinant hirudin (lepirudin) is an established treatment for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and demonstrates potential clinical applications in unstable angina and acute coronary syndromes.
This review outlines the established role of lepirudin in treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and discusses its potential utility in managing acute coronary syndromes.
Clinical applications for recombinant hirudins have been investigated for the past 10 years. The first indication for which a hirudin-lepirudin-has been approved is treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Also, the recently completed trials for use of lepirudin in unstable angina indicate a potentially new indication. This review describes pharmacology and clinical applications of lepirudin with an emphasis on HIT and unstable angina. An overview of usage of lepirudin in acute coronary syndromes is given, as well as a summary of rare indications for lepirudin, such as extracorporeal circulation, for which comprehensive data are lacking.
Greinacher et al. (Tue,) conducted a review in Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and unstable angina. Recombinant hirudin (lepirudin) was evaluated. Recombinant hirudin (lepirudin) is an established treatment for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and demonstrates potential clinical applications in unstable angina and acute coronary syndromes.