[Original Article] Bivalirudin Versus Heparin as an Antithrombotic Agent in Patients Who Undergo Percutaneous Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention With a Distal Protection Device

Bivalirudin Versus Heparin as an Antithrombotic Agent in Patients Who Undergo Percutaneous Saphenous Vein Graft Intervention With a Distal Protection Device
Am J Cardiol. 2005 Jul 1;96(1):67-70.

Seung-Woon Rha, MD, PhD, Pramod K. Kuchulakanti, MD, Rajbabu Pakala, PhD, Edouard Cheneau, MD, Ellen Pinnow, MS, Rebecca Torguson, BS, Augusto D. Pichard, MD, Lowell F. Satler, MD, William O. Suddath, MD, Kenneth M. Kent, MD, Joseph Lindsay, MD, and Ron Waksman, MD*

Bivalirudin (Angiomax) is increasingly used as a substitute for heparin in a variety of percutaneous coronary interventions, and data on its usage in saphenous vein graft interventions are limited. This retrospective, observational study evaluated the efficacy and safety of bivalirudin compared with heparin as an antithrombotic regimen in patients who underwent saphenous vein graft intervention with distal protection devices. We found that bivalirudin use is clinically safe and feasible, with fewer vascular and ischemic complications compared with heparin. © 2005 Elsevier Inc.
All rights reserved. (Am J Cardiol 2005;96:67–70)