Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II is a serious, immune-mediated complication of heparin therapy. Due to its low cross-reactivity with heparin-associated antibodies (10–20%), danaparoid has successfully been administered in these patients. In recent studies, r-hirudin as a potent and specific thrombin inhibitor, was demonstrated to be a safe and effective anticoagulant. We report a pregnant woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and recurrent venous thromboembolism who suffered from heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type II while treated with dalteparin sodium. Positive cross-reactivities with danaparoid were found. Anticoagulation with 15 mg subcutaneous r-hirudin was performed twice daily from the 25th week of pregnancy until delivery. No thromboembolism or bleeding or fetal toxicity of r-hirudin was detected. Recombinant hirudin is a potent and specific thrombin inhibitor that can be used as a safe and effective anticoagulant in pregnancy.

Keywords:
Pregnancy, Hirudin, Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
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© 2000 S. Karger AG, Basel
2000
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