Tag: Direct thrombin inhibitor

The incidence of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis (DVT) can be as high as 40–60% for patients after major orthopedic surgery if no preventive anticoagulants are used [1.3.4]. A common question in pharmacology is whether heparin, a cornerstone anticoagulant, is a direct thrombin inhibitor. The answer is no; it functions as an **indirect** thrombin inhibitor [1.4.3].

Argatroban is a direct thrombin inhibitor used to treat or prevent blood clots in adults who develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Administering Argatroban requires meticulous attention to detail and careful monitoring, and it is performed exclusively in a hospital or clinical setting by trained healthcare providers.

Up to 56% of patients receiving Lepirudin developed anti-lepirudin antibodies, a primary factor in its market withdrawal [1.3.4]. This article explains in-depth why was Lepirudin discontinued, exploring the clinical challenges and the shift towards safer anticoagulants for treating heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).

First approved by the FDA in 2000, **Angiomax** (bivalirudin) is a potent anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots during cardiac procedures, including percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). It is particularly valuable for patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) who require PCI.