117. Cannon CP, McCabe CH, Henry TD, Rogers WJ, Schweiger M, Gibson RS, Anderson JL, WilliamsDO, Braunwald E, for theTIMI 5 Investigators. Hirudinreduces reocclusion compared to heparin following thrombolysis in acutemyocardial infarction: results of the TIMI-5 trial.J AmColl Cardiol. 1993;21:136a.

Abel, Rowntree and Turner are credited with the original concept, development and experimental use of an "artificial kidney" in 1913. Collodion tubes were used as the dialysis membrane, and hirudin (from the heads of leeches) was their anticoagulant. With this vividiffusion apparatus they were able to demonstrate that substances such as salicylate and urea could be successfully removed from the...

Activation of prothrombin (Pro) by factor Xa to form thrombin occurs by proteolysis of Arg271-Thr272 and Arg320-Ile321, resulting in expression of regulatory exosites I and II. Cleavage of Pro by thrombin liberates fragment 1 and generates the zymogen analog, prethrombin 1 (Pre 1). The properties of exosite I on Pre 1 and its factor Xa activation intermediates were characterized in spectroscopi...

BACKGROUND Aspirin is a cornerstone in management of coronary artery disease (CAD). However, considerable variability in the antiplatelet effect of aspirin has been reported. AIM To investigate independent determinants of reduced antiplatelet effect of aspirin in stable CAD patients. METHODS We performed a cross-sectional study including 900 stable, high-risk CAD patients. Among these, 795 ...

BACKGROUND Optimal coronary thrombolysis should be prompt and persistent. Although activation of platelets and increased thrombin activity have been associated with clinical thrombolysis, the role of each in delaying thrombolysis or inducing early coronary reocclusion has been difficult to define. METHODS AND RESULTS In conscious dogs with coronary thrombosis induced by electrical current, we...

Fibrinogen and platelets rapidly saturate the exposed subendothelium of a freshly deendothelialized aorta in vivo. As thrombin generated within the site of injury is largely responsible for fibrin(ogen) deposition, we questioned whether various anticoagulant treatments would inhibit uptake of both fibrinogen and platelets in vivo. Rabbits were anticoagulated by pretreatment with either Warfarin...

Recombinant thrombopoietin has been reported to stimulate megakaryocytopoiesis and thrombopoiesis and it may be quite useful to treat patients with low platelet counts after chemotherapy. As little is known regarding the possible activation of platelets by thrombopoietin, we examined the effects of thrombopoietin on platelet aggregation induced by shear stress and various agonists in native pla...

OBJECTIVES Small diameter PTFE grafts are prone to thrombosis and intimal hyperplasia development. Heparin graft coating has beneficial effects but also potential drawbacks. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the experimental efficacy of PEG-hirudin/iloprost coated small caliber PTFE grafts. METHODS Thirty-six femoro-popliteal ePTFE grafts (expanded polytetrafluoroethylene, diameter 4 ...