Use of recombinant-hirudin in pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

A patient with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and heparin-induced thrombocytopenia successfully underwent pulmonary thromboendarterectomy with circulatory arrest, using recombinant hirudin as an alternative anticoagulant to heparin. Techniques for administration as well as monitoring of this drug’s effects are discussed.