Comparative Analysis of Thrombosis in ECPella Patients Between Bivalirudin versus Heparin Anticoagulation Strategies
Authors' conclusion
The frequency of aortic thrombus in patients supported on ECPella is high despite therapeutic anticoagulation.
Study context
- Population
- Patients age >18 years supported by combined venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) and Impella (ECPella), single tertiary academic centre, July 2021–April 2024
- Participants
- 98 participants
- Exposure
- Heparin vs Bivalirudin vs Heparin and bivalirudin
- Heparinn = 29reference
- Bivalirudinn = 35
- Heparin and bivalirudinn = 34
- Outcome
- Frequency of thrombus (aortic thrombus, DVT)
Methodological detailssingle-centre
- Single-centre
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
Aortic thrombus and DVT
Aortic thrombus (all patients)
13
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) (all patients)
23
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Events
| Outcome | Heparin | Bivalirudin | P value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Death | 25 | 15 | |
| Hospital LOS, aortic thrombosis or DVT vs neither45.09 days vs 28.12 days | P = 0.049 |
Risk factors for thrombus (multivariate regression)
- Age and sex suggested as factors in increased thrombus risk
ICU length of stay (LOS)
- No significant differences across the 3 anticoagulation groups (13.89 days vs 24.77 days vs 26.65 days)
Original publication
Comparative Analysis of Thrombosis in ECPella Patients Between Bivalirudin versus Heparin Anticoagulation Strategies. J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. Published 31 March 2025. doi:10.
Composed by AI from the published abstract and checked against it. How Briefs are made →