Use of a direct antithrombin, hirulog, in place of heparin during coronary angioplasty.

Abstract

The present study documents for the first time that it is possible to perform coronary angioplasty with an anticoagulant other than heparin in aspirin-pretreated patients. Hirulog was associated with a rapid onset, dose-dependent anticoagulant effect, minimal bleeding complications, and at doses of 1.8-2.2 mg/kg, a rate of 3.9% for abrupt vessel closure.