Bivalirudin for Pediatric Procedural Anticoagulation: A Narrative Review

Bivalirudin (Angiomax; The Medicines Company, Parsippany, NJ), a direct thrombin inhibitor, has found increasing utilization as a heparin alternative in the pediatric population, most commonly for the treatment of thrombosis secondary to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Due to the relative rarity of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia as well as the lack of Food and Drug Administration–approved indications in this age group, much of what is known regarding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of bivalirudin in this population has been extrapolated from adult data. This narrative review will present recommendations regarding the use of bivalirudin for procedural anticoagulation in the pediatric population based on the published literature. Accepted for publication December 19, 2017. Funding: None. The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Reprints will not be available from the authors. Address correspondence to Katherine L. Zaleski, MD, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative, and Pain Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, 300 Longwood Ave, Boston, MA 02115. Address e-mail to Katherine.Zaleski@childrens.harvard.edu. © 2018 International Anesthesia Research Society

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