Ecarin clotting time but not aPTT correlates with PEG-Hirudin plasma activity

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Novel antithrombotic agents such as hirudin have shown promise in the therapy of acute coronary syndromes. PEG-hirudin (polyethyleneglycol conjugated hirudin) has been developed to provide a longer plasma half-life and more stable antithrombotic plasma levels. Privious trials indicated a narrow therapeutic window for hirudin and a number of aPTT (activated partial thromboplastin time)-monitored trials investigating hirudin in acute coronary syndromes had to be stopped because of intracranial bleeding complications. OBJECTIVES: The present study evaluates the ecarin clotting time (ECT), a parameter based on the conversion of prothrombin by the snake venom enzyme ecarin, for the mo..