Pharmacokinetic evaluation of argatroban for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome.

INTRODUCTION: Limitations and contraindications of heparins and oral vitamin K antagonists have led to the development of new anticoagulant drugs over the last few years. Argatroban is an intravenous direct thrombin inhibitor currently indicated for the prophylaxis and treatment of thrombosis associated with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and for patients at risk of HIT undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The role of argatroban for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is under evaluation.

AREAS COVERED: This article reviews the potential use of argatroban for the treatment of ACS and presents the pharmacokinetic data currently available. The authors also present the pharmacodynamic literature of agratroban in addition to highlighting the safety and tolerability of the drug.

EXPERT OPINION: Theoretically, argatroban's pharmacokinetics makes it an attractive alternative to heparin. Pharmacological advantages of argatroban over heparin include a more-predictable anticoagulant response and the absence of a risk of HIT. Furthermore, argatroban has a fast and predictable dose-dependent anticoagulant effect with low inter-individual variability. It is non-immugenic, not susceptible to degradation by proteases and it is cleared via the liver. These characteristics confer argotroban a different profile from other anticoagulants. Agatroban is an effective alternative for patients when heparin, lepirudin and bivalirudin cannot be used. Its utility in ACS and PCI in non-HIT patients has been evaluated but further studies are warranted to define its role in this context.