Study Comparing Desirudin With Heparin to Prevent Vein Clots After Heart and Lung Surgery
Status:
Completed
Trial end date:
2008-10-01
Target enrollment:
Participant gender:
Summary
A blood clot in the veins, also known as deep venous thrombosis (DVT), is one of the most
common complications after surgery. This may result in death if a clot breaks off and travel
to the lungs; this is referred to as pulmonary embolism (PE). After heart surgery the
incidence of DVT ranges from 20-48% and following lung surgery the incidence is 19-26%. In
order to decrease the likelihood of this complication, patients receive by injection a blood
thinning medicine. Heparin is the usual medicine used for this purpose following heart and
lung surgery. Recently there have been reports that other medicines may be more effective
than heparin for this purpose. Also there have been reports that some patients develop
antibodies to heparin. When this occurs, this may prevent the heparin from being effective
and may even promote the formation of blood clots. Antibodies to heparin may be present more
often following heart and lung surgery than other types of surgery. There is a new medicine
called desirudin (Iprivask), which may be used instead of heparin to prevent blood clots
following heart and lung surgery. Desirudin is currently approved by the FDA to prevent blood
clots following hip surgery. The purpose of this study is to compare desirudin with heparin
for the prevention of vein clots after heart and lung surgery.
Phase:
Phase 2/Phase 3
Details
Lead Sponsor:
Washington University School of Medicine
Collaborators:
Barnes-Jewish Hospital Canyon Pharmaceuticals, Inc.