A modified ecarin clotting time test monitors the anticoagulant effects of hirudin

摘要

A rapid blood clotting test for monitoring the thrombin inhibiting activity of the drug hirudin is described. This test, a modified ecarin clotting time may enable the monitoring of a patient's hirudin dosage so that a safe, therapeutic level is achieved. The results show that there was an increase in clotting time with an increased level of hirudin. The data demonstrates a linear correlation between ecalin clotting time prolongation and hirudin content. Each clotting time is significantly prolonged (p>0.01) in comparison to the clotting time at lower concentrations.