scholarly journals Anticoagulation with Argatroban in a Patient with Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Renal Insufficiency Undergoing Orthotopic Heart Transplantation

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-3
Author(s):  
Michael Stuart Green ◽  
Johann Mathew ◽  
Christopher Ryan Hoffman ◽  
Henry Liu

Unfractionated heparin is the anticoagulant of choice for cardiac surgery that requires cardiopulmonary bypass. However, it can cause serious side effects like heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), an immune-mediated process where antibodies are directed against heparin and platelet 4 complexes. In such cases, alternative pharmacologic strategies are implemented to facilitate safe bypass conditions. A woman with severe decompensated heart failure was heparinized for intra-aortic balloon pump and subsequent LVAD placement. On day 6, a fall in platelets from 113,000 to 26,000 was noted. She was diagnosed with HIT. Heparin was discontinued and replaced with an argatroban infusion for the duration of her care until heart transplantation was completed. We review the mechanism, diagnosis, and complications of HIT. We discuss cardiopulmonary bypass and its relation to heparin, HIT, and heparin alternatives. We discuss argatroban’s relevant pharmacology, clinical use, advantages, and disadvantages.

2021 ◽  
Vol 41 (01) ◽  
pp. 059-062
Author(s):  
Laura Ranta ◽  
Emmanuelle Scala

AbstractHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe, immune-mediated, adverse drug reaction that paradoxically induces a prothrombotic state. Particularly in the setting of cardiac surgery, where full anticoagulation is required during cardiopulmonary bypass, the management of HIT can be highly challenging, and requires a multidisciplinary approach. In this short review, the different perioperative strategies to run cardiopulmonary bypass will be summarized.


Cardiology ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 141 (3) ◽  
pp. 172-175 ◽  
Author(s):  
William C. Roberts ◽  
Sarah Haque ◽  
Shelley A. Hall

Objective: Although several studies have described the effects of adriamycin on the heart, electrocardiographic total 12-lead QRS voltage (distance in millimeters from the peak of the R wave to the nadir of either the Q or S wave, whichever was deeper, with 10 mm [1 mV] being standard) both before and after orthotopic heart transplantation (OHT) has not been reported. This study describes the total 12-lead QRS voltage in 8 patients studied at Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, from 1994 to June 2018, who underwent OHT for severe heart failure caused by anthracycline-induced cardiomyopathy. Method: Prior to OHT, the total 12-lead non-paced QRS voltages ranged from 86 to 189 mm (mean 125 ± 56) and for paced QRS voltages from 82 to 113 mm (mean 97 ± 15). The total 12-lead QRS voltages post-OHT ranged from 100 to 190 mm (mean 130 ± 30). Total 12-lead QRS voltages were lower in patients with a pacemaker than without. Results/Conclusion: These low voltages are like those found in patients with carcinoid syndrome, severe cardiac adiposity, cardiac amyloidosis, and cardiac sarcoidosis.


Author(s):  
Lauren Powlovich ◽  
Amanda M. Kleiman

Cardiac disease is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality in pregnancy behind peripartum hemorrhage. In developed countries, a majority of cardiac disease in pregnancy is secondary to congenital heart defects, whereas in developing countries, mitral stenosis secondary to rheumatic fever prevails as the leading cause of cardiac disease during pregnancy. There is added workload on the heart during pregnancy due to the increased blood volume and cardiac output of the parturient. In patients with preexisting cardiac disease, this added workload may lead to decompensated congestive heart failure. Alternatively, such physiologic changes may unmask an unknown cardiac lesion in an unsuspecting patient. Medical management is always the first-line treatment of the pregnant patient with decompensated heart failure. However, if medical management has failed, cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass may be necessary. Due to the unique maternal physiology and the presence of not only one but also two patients, anesthesia, cardiac surgery, and cardiopulmonary bypass come with specific challenges, hemodynamic goals, and ethical dilemmas.


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marieke E. van Vessem ◽  
Saskia L. M. A. Beeres ◽  
Rob B. P. de Wilde ◽  
René de Vries ◽  
Remco R. Berendsen ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Vasoplegia is a severe complication which may occur after cardiac surgery, particularly in patients with heart failure. It is a result of activation of vasodilator pathways, inactivation of vasoconstrictor pathways and the resistance to vasopressors. However, the precise etiology remains unclear. The aim of the Vasoresponsiveness in patients with heart failure (VASOR) study is to objectify and characterize the altered vasoresponsiveness in patients with heart failure, before, during and after heart failure surgery and to identify the etiological factors involved. Methods This is a prospective, observational study conducted at Leiden University Medical Center. Patients with and patients without heart failure undergoing cardiac surgery on cardiopulmonary bypass are enrolled. The study is divided in two inclusion phases. During phase 1, 18 patients with and 18 patients without heart failure are enrolled. The vascular reactivity in response to a vasoconstrictor (phenylephrine) and a vasodilator (nitroglycerin) is assessed in vivo on different timepoints. The response to phenylephrine is assessed on t1 (before induction), t2 (before induction, after start of cardiotropic drugs and/or vasopressors), t3 (after induction), t4 (15 min after cessation of cardiopulmonary bypass) and t5 (1 day post-operatively). The response to nitroglycerin is assessed on t1 and t5. Furthermore, a sample of pre-pericardial fat tissue, containing resistance arteries, is collected intraoperatively. The ex vivo vascular reactivity is assessed by constructing concentrations response curves to various vasoactive substances using isolated resistance arteries. Next, expression of signaling proteins and receptors is assessed using immunohistochemistry and mRNA analysis. Furthermore, the groups are compared with respect to levels of organic compounds that can influence the cardiovascular system (e.g. copeptin, (nor)epinephrine, ANP, BNP, NTproBNP, angiotensin II, cortisol, aldosterone, renin and VMA levels). During inclusion phase 2, only the ex vivo vascular reactivity test is performed in patients with (N = 12) and without heart failure (N = 12). Discussion Understanding the difference in vascular responsiveness between patients with and without heart failure in detail, might yield therapeutic options or development of preventive strategies for vasoplegia, leading to safer surgical interventions and improvement in outcome. Trial registration The Netherlands Trial Register (NTR), NTR5647. Registered 26 January 2016.


2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. S432-S433
Author(s):  
M.T. Simpson ◽  
H. Takayama ◽  
J. Han ◽  
P. Kurlansky ◽  
A.R. Garan ◽  
...  

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document