Summary
Urgent surgery or life-threatening bleeding requires prompt reversal of the anticoagulant
effects of dabigatran. This study assessed the ability of three- and four-factor prothrombin
complex concentrate (PCC) and idarucizumab (specific antidote for dabigatran) to reverse
the anticoagulant effects of dabigatran in a porcine model of trauma. Twelve animals
were given dabigatran etexilate (DE) orally and dabigatran intravenously, before infliction
of trauma. Six animals received tranexamic acid plus fibrinogen concentrate 12 minutes
post-injury. Six PCCs (each 30 and 60 U/kg) and idarucizumab (30 and 60 mg/kg) were
added to blood samples ex vivo. Coagulation was assessed by several coagulation assays.
All coagulation parameters were altered after dabigatran infusion (plasma level: 442
± 138 ng/ml). Both threeand four-factor PCCs mostly or completely reversed the effects
of dabigatran on thromboelastometry variables and PT but not on aPTT. Idarucizumab
neutralised plasma concentrations of dabigatran, and reversed the effects of the drug
on coagulation variables. Thrombin generation showed dose-dependent over-correction
following the addition of PCC, implying that elevated levels of thrombin are required
to overcome dabigatran-induced coagulopathy. In contrast, treatment with idarucizumab
returned thrombin generation to baseline levels. Following trauma, therapy with tranexamic
acid plus fibrinogen improved correction of coagulation parameters by PCC, and thromboelastometry
parameters by idarucizumab. All investigated PCCs improved dabigatran- and trauma-induced
coagulopathy to a similar degree. In conclusion, this study shows that three- and
four-factor PCCs are similarly effective for dabigatran reversal. Idarucizumab also
reversed the effects of dabigatran and, unlike PCCs, was not associated with over-correction
of thrombin generation.
Note: This study was performed at the RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstrasse
30, D-52074 Aachen, Germany.
Keywords
Dabigatran - idarucizumab - prothrombin complex concentrate - trauma - thrombin generation