Anesthesiology
-
Heparin anticoagulation has been used successfully for cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). However, an alternative anticoagulant approach is desirable due to the cases of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Dabigatran provides anticoagulation for an in vitro model of simulated CPB. The current analysis tests the hypothesis that dabigatran provides sufficient anticoagulation for CPB in intact rabbits. ⋯ In this first-use, proof-of-concept study, the authors have shown that dabigatran provides acceptable anticoagulation similar to heparin to prevent thrombosis using a rabbit CPB model.