Bivalirudin
Bivalirudin is a synthetic peptide anticoagulant that directly inhibits thrombin, including thrombin associated with a clot.
At a glance
- Evidence stage
- Approved use
- Regulatory status
- US bivalirudin products are approved as anticoagulants during PCI, including patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or thrombosis syndrome.
- Research context
- Bivalirudin is a synthetic peptide anticoagulant that directly inhibits thrombin, including thrombin associated with a clot.
What this is
- Bivalirudin is a synthetic peptide anticoagulant that directly inhibits thrombin, including thrombin associated with a clot.
What this isn't
- A recommendation to use, prepare, combine, or administer a product
- Evidence that a related molecule or a differently formulated product has the same effects
Key terms
Bivalirudin is a synthetic peptide anticoagulant that directly inhibits thrombin, including thrombin associated with a clot.
Thrombin converts fibrinogen into fibrin and activates platelets, helping a clot grow. Bivalirudin binds thrombin directly rather than relying on antithrombin as heparin does. Its clinical role is procedural anticoagulation during percutaneous coronary intervention, where preventing catheter- or vessel-related clotting must be balanced against bleeding. Prescribing information.
Evidence limits
How to read the evidence
The trial's geography, procedural approach, and accompanying antiplatelet care matter when generalizing its result. A favorable average comparison does not remove the possibility of either serious bleeding or stent thrombosis. The approved procedural role also does not support unsupervised long-term clot prevention or treating bivalirudin as interchangeable with other hirudin-related peptides. Trial context; label.
Sources appraised 2026-10-28. Educational information; not medical advice. Study findings apply to the populations, preparations and outcomes described.
External sources and citations
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