Emergent Cardiopulmonary Bypass in Five Patients with Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Type II Employing Recombinant Hirudin

The study consisted of five patients requiring emergent CPB: three patients required coronary artery bypass grafting, one patient required aortic valve replacement plus reoperation for coronary artery bypass grafting, and the fifth patient was scheduled for aortic valve prosthesis (see Table 1). In three patients (patients 1, 4, and 5 [Table 1]), HIT II was indicated by (1) previous thrombocytopenia, as evidenced by a platelet count < 100 x 10^3/lor by a decrease in platelet count after exposure to heparin, and (2) a positive result in the heparin-induced platelet aggregation assay, with a minimum of three of four test chambers. In patients 1 and 4 (Table 1), a positive result for the platelet factor 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay provided further evidence for HIT II. The two other patients (patients 2 and 3 [Table 1]) had recent histories of thrombocytopenia or thromboembolism after treatment with heparin approximately 3 weeks before surgery. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II was confirmed by a positive result for the platelet factor 4 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Although results of the heparin-induced platelet aggregation assay were negative in patients 2 and 3, this was probably because antibody concentration had decreased by the time the measurement was obtained.

After implementation of routine noninvasive monitors and establishment of adequate arterial oxygenation (Pa^O2>or= to 350 mmHg), peripheral venous access was obtained in both forearms (14 G). Non-heparin-bonded instrumentation was used, including a left radial arterial line (20 G), a trilumen catheter with a gate (8.5 G), and a Swan-Ganz (Abbott, Wiesbaden, Germany) catheter via the right internal jugular vein. Induction of anesthesia was accomplished using a combination of agents: midazolam: 0.07-0.09 mg/kg; sufentanil: 0.8-1.2 [micro sign]g/kg; etomidate: 0.14-0.22 mg/kg; and pancuronium bromide: 8 mg. The patients were tracheally intubated (7.5-8 Ch) and a stomach tube (16 Ch), an esophageal temperature probe, and a urinary catheter (16 Ch) were placed. Anesthesia was maintained using propofol (100 [micro sign]g [middle dot] kg^-1[middle dot] h^-1), sufentanil (0.05 [micro sign]g [middle dot] kg^-1[middle dot] h^-1), and pancuronium bromide (supplemented on demand). Aprotinin was used according to the Hammersmith regimen, and dopamine (2 [micro sign]g [middle dot] kg^-1[middle dot] min^-1) was administered with the onset of CPB. The operation was performed while the patient was in cardioplegic cardiac arrest with moderate systemic hypothermia (32 [degree sign]C). Times for CPB varied from 65-113 min (Table 1).

Systemic anticoagulation during CPB was performed with r-hirudin (Refludan; Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany). The dose for r-hirudin consisted of a 0.2-mg/kg bolus added to the prime and a 0.25mg/kg intravenous bolus followed by a continuous infusion of 0.5 mg/min (modified Potzsch [8]regimen) begun 5 min before cannulation for CPB. Adequacy of anticoagulation with r-hirudin was determined using the ecarin clotting time (ECT), [8,10]which was monitored on-line with the Thrombolytic Assessment System, (Cardiovascular Diagnostics, Raleigh, NC); an r-hirudin concentration of >or= to 4 [micro sign]g/ml of citrated whole blood obtained 5 min after the r-hirudin administration was considered sufficient to start CPB. [8,9]According to previously performed calibration curves, this concentration for r-hirudin corresponded to an ECT of approximately 400 s. If anticoagulation was not achieved initially, additional boluses of r-hirudin were administered.

During CPB, ECT was determined at 5-min intervals and maintained in the range of >or= to 4 [micro sign]g r-hirudin/ml blood by adjustment of the r-hirudin infusion rate.

After CPB, forced diuresis was initiated with 200 ml mannitol (20%) and furosemide (40 mg). The blood obtained from the heart-lung machine (modified hemofiltration, maximum volume 2 l) was processed, and the derived packed erythrocytes were retransfused (C.A.T.S., Fresenius, Bad Homburg, Germany).

The decision to transfuse erythrocytes, fresh frozen plasma, and platelets intraoperatively was based on clinical demands and departmental standards. All patients recovered uneventfully after CPB. Recovery of hemostasis varied from patient to patient. The values for the activated partial thromboplastin time varied from 52-87 s over 4 h after CPB (Table 1). The infusion rate for r-hirudin was augmented during the immediate post-CPB period to provide time for antiaggregative therapy (aspirin or warfarin) to take effect. Patients 1, 2, 3, and 4 (Table 1) recovered completely and were discharged uneventfully within 3 to 7 days. However, septic shock (refractory to catecholamine treatment) combined with multiple organ failure and disseminated intravascular coagulation developed in patient 5 during the immediate postoperative period, and the patient died 6 h after the operation.

The current study provides evidence that r-hirudin may be a safe and effective alternative for systemic anti-coagulation in patients with documented or suspected HIT II in whom cardiac surgery is emergent. The four main advantages of this method vis-a-vis the other options are as follows: (1) it avoids the risk of heparin-induced HIT II; (2) it can be instituted rapidly during emergency conditions; (3) its half-life is comparably short;, and (4) it can be monitored adequately.

Hirudin and hirulog are potent antithrombins that do not necessitate cofactors. Originally purified from leech saliva, hirudin is produced as a recombinant product (r-hirudin; Refludan, Hoechst, Frankfurt, Germany). This agent is a highly specific thrombin inhibitor with little effect on other serine proteases. [10]In humans, the elimination half-life is 30-60 min (provided that renal function is normal), the volume of distribution is 9 - 17 l, clearance is 170 - 2,230 ml/min, and the anticoagulant effect lasts approximately for only 40 min. [7,8,10]Furthermore, there is no immunologic cross-reaction with heparin-induced antibodies, and a reversal agent (r-Meizothrombin) has been developed. [11]The anticoagulating effect of r-hirudin may be explained by inhibitory actions on platelet aggregation and on thrombus growth and organization. [12]The drug has been effectively used for low-dose anticoagulation, [13]long-term dialysis [14]in patients with HIT II, and acute anticoagulation in patients with actual heparin exposition and concomitant thrombocytopenia. [13]Despite its advantages, and promising results in elective CPB, [8,9]r-hirudin is not used widespread in CPB because it necessitates monitoring ECT instead of activated partial thromboplastin time and ACT. [8]This technical capability has not been widely available until recently. If provided within or nearby the operating room, continuous ECT monitoring could allow minute-by-minute modulation of the r-hirudin dose (and thus plasma concentration), which could improve the effectiveness of the technique and maximize patient safety. This appears to be possible using point-of-care monitoring of ECT. However, such on-line monitoring of the ECT is allowed only for investigational use. The clinical application of this technique on a routine basis will necessitate additional studies, both in vitro and in vivo, confirming that it meets the same laboratory standards as the techniques associated with other Thrombolytic Assessment System parameters, (e.g., activated partial thromboplastin time). [15] 

We conclude that r-hirudin can be used safely and effectively as an anticoagulant in patients with HIT II undergoing emergent cardiac surgery. R-hirudin has an immediate onset and a half-life of less than 1 h. Its elimination can be augmented by hemofiltration, which is particularly relevant in cases of impaired renal function. Furthermore, the level of r-hirudin plasma levels can be evaluated by the monitoring of ECT, and the infusion rate can be adjusted accordingly. Finally, r-Meizothrombin can be used as a reversal agent, which should improve the safety of high-dose r-hirudin.