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(Circulation. 2001;103:1479.)
© 2001 American Heart Association, Inc.

Cardiovascular Drugs

Recombinant Hirudin in Clinical Practice

Focus on Lepirudin

Andreas Greinacher, MD; Norbert Lubenow, MD

From the Institute for Immunology and Transfusion Medicine, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany.

Correspondence to Prof Dr A. Greinacher, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-Universität, Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Klinikum/Sauerbruchstrasse, 17489 Greifswald, Germany.

Abstract—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.

Key Words: recombinant hirudin • platelets • thrombosis • cardiovascular diseases • heparin

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