No abstract

Lepirudin provides effective CPB anticoagulation but induces a higher postoperative blood loss than heparin. Lepirudin should be restricted to patients undergoing CPB who cannot be exposed to heparin.

A patient with triple heart valve disease, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and terminal renal insufficiency was treated successfully using lepirudin for anticoagulation of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) and during the postoperative course. Anticoagulatory monitoring was performed with ecarin clotting time during CPB and aPTT postoperatively.