Arixtra

[Ross]

Al have you ever heard of this being used for a bridge until Coumadin is in range?

 

[Guest]

Arixtra is extremely expensive so it is almost never done unless the person has heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. This is a severe allergic reaction to heparin that leads to horrible clotting and can be fatal. I just used it last week for a bridge -- my first time.

 

[Ross]

I had to ask. Musician2K was just released from the hospital with it as his INR is not in range yet. Sounds like there is more to the story that I don't know about as of yet.

Thanks.

 

[Guest]

One of my patients went to get her heart valve, got heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, and lost a leg from the knee down and the tip of her tongue.

 

[musician2k]

I was given Arixtra for the exact reason Al pointed out - I tested positive for HIT. The hematologists were pretty sure it was a false positive (I'll be re-tested in October, just to be sure) but, decided to not take a chance for which I'm actually quite grateful . As far as we know, our insurance covered the Arixtra so am thankful for that too. Thank you Ross for asking this question though, just to be sure! And thanks to Al for his quick response.

 

[Ross]

Well I don't know everything. I'd never heard of the drug, so naturally questioned it.