The effect of recombinant desulphatohirudin CGP 39393 (rH) on arterial thrombus formation
and especially on thrombotic reocclusion after experimental angioplasty as well as
after thrombolysis was investigated in rabbits. In the femoral artery thrombi were
induced after endothelial damage of the vessel wall by a balloon catheter and following
stasis. After removing the thrombus by angioplasty or after lysing it by streptokinase
reocclusion of the artery was observed within a relatively short period of time. Subcutaneous
injection of rH reduced the incidence of both primary thrombus formation and reocclusion
in dependence on the dose administered. After a dose of rH of 2 mg/kg s.c. arterial
thrombus formation was completely prevented and after administering 4 mg/kg s.c. thrombotic
reocclusion did also not occur. Comparative studies with heparin showed that similar
antithrombotic effects were only achieved at doses of 12 mg heparin/kg s.c. The results
obtained suggest a clear potential of rH for prevention of thrombotic reocclusion
in clinical states.
Keywords
Recombinant hirudin - Experimental angioplasty - Thrombolysis - Reocclusion
