Abstract
Haematological effects of an antithrombin agent, argatroban was evaluated in left heart bypass (LHB) with a centrifugal pump (CFP) . From 1991 to 1994, 12 patients with thoracic or thoracoabdominal aortic disease underwent surgical treatment with a use of LHB. Patients were divided into two groups. In group A (n=6), low dose of heparin (1mg/kg, IV bolus) was administered just prior to LHB in the beginning. In Group B (n=6), argatoroban (2.5μg/kg/min) intravenously infused during LHB. Platelet count was significantly preserved after LHB in group B. β-TG and PF4 increased during LHB in the both groups, however these increases were significantly suppressed in group B. There were no significant difference in parameters of thrombogenesis between the two groups. there were no evidence of systemic thromboembolism in all patients after surgery. Platelet was effectively preserved during LHB with CFP by the use of intravenous argatroban.
