Argatroban Anticoagulation in Patients following Cardiovascular Surgery and in ICU Patients with and without Renal-Replacement Therapy

ABSTRACT

Argatroban has been safely and effectively used in the prevention and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Current data suggest that special patient populations appear to respond rather sensitively to argatroban. This particularly applies to patients after cardiac surgery and patients needing intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. Due to its predominant hepatic elimination, argatroban is an interesting alternative option for patients needing renal replacement therapy (RRT). This article focuses on the argatroban dosing protocols in patients after cardiac surgery and ICU patients with and without RRT.

KEYWORDS

Anticoagulation - multiorgan failure - argatroban

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