Argatroban (Argatra®)
Biochemistry
Molecular mass | 508 Da |
Administration | intravenous |
Steady state level | after approx. 1-3 hours |
Half-life | 40-50 minutes |
Argatroban (Argatra®) is a reversible, monovalent direct thrombin inhibitor available only as an infusion solution.
Clinical significance
Argatroban is approved to continue anticoagulation in adults with type II heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT).
The elimination of argatroban and its metabolites occurs mainly via the liver (65.4 ± 7.1%) less than the kidney (21.8 ± 5.8%). Thus, argatroban does not accumulate in cases of renal insufficiency. There is no antidote.
Indication
- Monitoring of anticoagulation using Argatra, while using a heart-lung machine or during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). With the doses of more than 1?g/ml argatroban, which are usual on the heart-lung machine or in PCI, the argatroban concentration/aPTT-time curve shows an asymptotic course, not a linear course.
- Measuring the coagulation inhibition in connection with argatroban can be useful in order to avoid excessive high exposure to argatroban if additional risk factors are present.
Literature
- Sedhai YR, Mahat KC, Krishnan P. Argatroban. StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2020.
- Bachler M, Hell T, Bösch J, Treml B, Schenk B, Treichl B, Friesenecker B, Lorenz I, Stengg D, Hruby S, Wallner B, Oswald E,
- Ströhle M, Niederwanger C, Irsara C, Fries D. A Prospective Pilot Trial to Assess the Efficacy of Argatroban (Argatra®) in Critically Ill Patients with Heparin Resistance. J Clin Med. 2020 Mar 31;9(4)
- Dingman JS, Smith ZR, Coba VE, Peters MA, To L. Argatroban dosing requirements in extracorporeal life support and other critically ill populations. Thromb Res. 2020 May;189:69-76.
- Evaluation of intravenous direct thrombin inhibitor monitoring tests: Correlation with plasma concentrations and clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients. Beyer JT, Lind SE, Fisher S, Trujillo TC, Wempe MF, Kiser TH. J Thromb Thrombolysis. 2020 Feb;49(2):259-267