Coronary artery disease
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Coronary artery disease · Nov 1994
Clinical TrialWeak allergenicity of recombinant hirudin CGP 39393 (REVASC) in immunocompetent volunteers. The European Hirudin in Thrombosis Group (HIT Group).
As a result of their polypeptidic nature, hirudins could theoretically elicit an immunologic response in humans. ⋯ Recombinant hirudin CGP 39393 appears to be a weak allergen. Repeated exposures are safe in fully immunocompetent subjects, including those with a history of previous allergies and high levels of total IgE. Type I allergic reactions are rare (i.e. less than 1%) after a second exposure and are limited to the skin. Routine skin tests are not needed to identify patients at risk of developing type I allergic reactions. Hirudin-specific IgE antibodies are rarely seen and then at very low titres.