Reversal Of Dabigatran-induced Anticoagulation Research Articles

Idarucizumab for Reversing Dabigatran-Induced Anticoagulation: A Systematic Review.

The approval of the oral direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran etexilate, gave patients an alternative to oral anticoagulation with warfarin. Like all anticoagulants, the primary adverse event (AE) associated with dabigatran is bleeding. Until the FDA approval of idarucizumab, there had been no reversal agent for dabigatran-induced anticoagulation in patients with life-threatening or uncontrollable bleeding, or those requiring emergent procedures. The primary purpose of this review is to summarize the safety and efficacy of idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment, and its use as a reversal agent for dabigatran. A literature search was conducted through MEDLINE (1946 to November week 1 2015) and Embase (1980-2015 week 46) using the search term idarucizumab. Clinicaltrials.gov was consulted for a comprehensive list of ongoing and completed studies. Additional studies were identified through bibliographical citations. Clinical trials in animals and humans published in English evaluating the safety and efficacy of idarucizumab for reversal of anticoagulant treatment with dabigatran were included for review. Idarucizumab has been shown to significantly reverse the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran in both healthy volunteers and patients requiring a reversal agent because of either overt bleeding or an emergency surgery or invasive procedure. The most common AEs were headache, nasopharyngitis, back pain, skin irritation, hypokalemia, delirium, constipation, pyrexia, and pneumonia. Deaths reported in idarucizumab studies were attributed to either the index event or a preexisting comorbidity. Most adverse effects were minor, but 21 serious AEs have been reported in the published data including thrombotic events. Given the increased use of direct oral anticoagulants, such as dabigatran, a need for specific reversal agents exists. Idarucizumab has been shown to be safe and effective in the reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation in patients requiring emergent or urgent surgery or in patients with severe bleeding.

Successful intravenous thrombolysis for ischemic stroke after reversal of dabigatran anticoagulation with idarucizumab: a case report

BackgroundNon-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants, including dabigatran, are currently widely used for the prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation. Recently, idarucizumab, a monoclonal antibody fragment for immediate reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation, has been introduced into the market to be used in life-threatening bleeding or urgent surgery, allowing for rapid normalization of clotting parameters. The use of idarucizumab is not yet well established in patients presenting with acute ischemic stroke on dabigatran who are candidates for thrombolytic therapy.Case presentationWe report the case of a 71-year-old hypertensive Caucasian woman with non-valvular atrial fibrillation treated with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily, who presented with acute ischemic stroke causing right-sided hemiparesis and aphasia. Two hours after presentation to the emergency department, a decision was made to administer idarucizumab for achieving complete reversal of any potential anticoagulant effect of dabigatran and, in the absence of any contraindications, our patient underwent successful thrombolysis. At discharge, our patient was able to walk unassisted and had only residual aphasia. Twenty days later, she had completely recovered motor function of her right side, with further progressive improvement of aphasia. Repeat cranial computed tomography confirmed the absence of hemorrhage, and anticoagulant therapy with dabigatran 150 mg twice daily was resumed.ConclusionsOur case report adds to the evidence that idarucizumab administration is safe in the setting of patients with atrial fibrillation treated with dabigatran who develop acute ischemic stroke requiring thrombolysis.

Idarucizumab safe for reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation

Idarucizumab safe for reversal of dabigatran-induced anticoagulation

Idarucizumab, a Specific Antidote for Dabigatran: Immediate, Complete and Sustained Reversal of Dabigatran Induced Anticoagulation in Elderly and Renally Impaired Subjects

IntroductionOral anticoagulation is an effective therapy to prevent and treat thromboembolic events. So far, Vitamin K antagonists have been the main drug of choice. Recently, the advent of the direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) has changed medical practice significantly; nevertheless all anticoagulants are associated with an increased risk of bleeding. Bleeding management can be achieved through established therapies; however specific antidotes are not yet available for these agents to further facilitate patient management in cases needed. Previously the dabigatran antidote (idarucizumab) has demonstrated immediate, complete and sustained reversal of dabigatran induced anti-coagulation in healthy male volunteers. In the present study it was determined whether and to what extent doses of up to 5 g idarucizumab would reverse the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran in male and female healthy mid-aged, elderly and renally impaired volunteers. In addition, it was tested whether oral intake of dabigatran etexilate 24 hrs after idarucizumab treatment could restore dabigatran related anticoagulation. It was further tested if a second administration of idarucizumab 2 months later was safe and well tolerated.MethodsSafety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of idarucizumab were investigated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled two-way cross-over study in 46 male and female volunteers. Dabigatran etexilate (DE), 220 mg bid in healthy subjects and 150 mg bid in subjects with mild or moderate renal impairment (CLCR60 to <90 or 30 to <60 [mL/min], respectively) was given over 4 days to achieve the steady state conditions. Idarucizumab doses of 1 g, 2.5 g, 5 g or 5 g given as 2x2.5 g one hour apart were administered as 5 min i.v. infusion 2 hrs after the last dose of DE. Concentrations of unbound dabigatran were determined as a measure of pharmacologically active dabigatran. The anticoagulant effect of dabigatran and its reversal were assessed by coagulation time measurements, including diluted Thrombin Time (dTT, Hemoclot® DTI assay), Ecarin Clotting Time (ECT) and activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (aPTT).ResultsAll administered doses of idarucizumab were safe and well tolerated. PK measurements of unbound dabigatran indicated that idarucizumab binding and thus reversal of the anticoagulant effect of dabigatran occurred immediately after end of infusion. Prolongation of clotting times induced by dabigatran was reversed to baseline at the end of the 5 minute infusion of the antidote. This was consistently demonstrated by all clotting assays. Sustained reversal over the entire observation period was observed for idarucizumab doses of 2.5 g, 5 g and 2x2.5 g. For the 1g dose, there was partial return of dabigatran induced anticoagulation around 2-4 hours after i.v. infusion. Also a second administration of idarucizumab (two months after the first) was safe and resulted in complete reversal. In addition, PD and PK measurements at selected time points and in comparison to placebo treatment confirmed that effective dabigatran anticoagulation could be re-established 24 hours after administration of idarucizumab.ConclusionsThe dabigatran antidote, idarucizumab, was well tolerated under all conditions tested. The administration of 5 g or 2x2.5 g led to sustained reversal of dabigatran induced anticoagulation in male and female subjects of different age and renal function. In addition, idarucizumab administered 2 months apart achieved the same degree of reversal. Dabigatran anticoagulation could be re-established 24 hrs after idarucizumab dosing. These results support the use of a total dose of 5 g idarucizumab as an effective dose in further clinical testing. DisclosuresGlund:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Off Label Use: Idarucizumab, a specific antidote for dabigatran, is in clinical development.. Stangier:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Schmohl:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Moschetti:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Haazen:SGS Life Science Services (contracted by Boehringer Ingelheim to conduct the study): Employment. De Smet:SCS Boehringer Ingelheim Comm. V.: Employment. Gansser:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Norris:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Lang:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment. Reilly:Boehringer Ingelheim: Employment.