Study Comparing Desirudin With Heparin to Prevent Vein Clots After Heart and Lung Surgery

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.

Both groups of patients will receive study drug three times a day (TID) for DVT prophylaxis. The current TID schedule is 0900, 1300, and 2100. The patients who are randomized to the Heparin (standard of care) group will receive subcutaneous injections of heparin three times a day (0900, 1300 and 2100).

Both groups of patients will receive study drug three times a day (TID) for DVT prophylaxis. The current TID schedule is 0900, 1300, and 2100. Patients who are randomized to the desirudin (study) group will receive 15 mg of subcutaneous desirudin twice a day (at 0900 and 2100). These patients will also receive an injection of normal saline placebo at 1300 so that patients in both groups will receive three injections at the same time points.

Patients who are randomized to the desirudin (study) group will receive 15 mg of subcutaneous desirudin twice a day (at 0900 and 2100). These patients will also receive an injection of normal saline placebo at 1300 so that patients in both groups will receive three injections at the same time points.

The patients who are randomized to the Heparin (standard of care) group will receive subcutaneous injections of heparin three times a day (0900, 1300 and 2100).

The Primary Outcome Measure Was the Number of Participants With New Heparin Platelet Factor 4 (HIT Positive) Antibodies in Each Group Within 30 Days Following Surgery.

Blood samples were collected and tested in singlet for the presence of PF4/heparin antibodies. Samples were collected for each participant on PDD (Post-study Drug initiation Day) 2, PDD 7 or at hospital discharge, and at 30 days post surgery.

Inclusion Criteria: Patients who are scheduled for elective Cardiac or Thoracic Surgery. Age > 18 years of age. Exclusion Criteria: Patients with a clinical suspicion or a documented history of DVT/PE Patients who may require anticoagulation during the post-op period. (i.e. Patients with a history of A-fib, scheduled for a MAZE procedure or placement of a mechanical valve, or those on Coumadin/IV heparin preoperatively) Patients who have a history of HIT or if there is a suspicion of the patient having HIT pre-operatively. Documented allergy to heparin, desirudin, or lepirudin Patients with a history of coagulation disorder Platelet count< 100 X109 /dl Active bleeding Serum Creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dl or CrCl ≤ 30 ml/min Patients with a baseline coagulopathy (INR > 1.5 or aPTT > 45 sec) Patients with liver disease Pregnancy Patients who require ventricular assist devices before or after surgery

Graetz TJ, Tellor BR, Smith JR, Avidan MS. Desirudin: a review of the pharmacology and clinical application for the prevention of deep vein thrombosis. Expert Rev Cardiovasc Ther. 2011 Sep;9(9):1101-9. doi: 10.1586/erc.11.131.

Avidan MS, Smith JR, Skrupky LP, Hill L, Jacobsohn E, Burnside B, Tymkew H, Eby C, Damiano R, Despotis GJ. The occurrence of antibodies to heparin-platelet factor 4 in cardiac and thoracic surgical patients receiving desirudin or heparin for postoperative venous thrombosis prophylaxis. Thromb Res. 2011 Dec;128(6):524-9. doi: 10.1016/j.thromres.2011.05.025. Epub 2011 Jul 26.