Pediheart Podcast #179: Bivalirudin Use For Pediatric Ventricular Assist Devices

This week we review a recent work on the use of bivalirudin on outcomes of pediatric VAD patients. We speak with Dr. Caroline Carly Heyrend of Primary Children's Hospital in Utah about a recent work she co-authored on time in therapeutic range for this agent in children with VAD's. How does bivalirudin work differently than heparin and what are the theoretical benefits or disadvantages of this agent in comparison with unfractionated heparin? Why are thrombotic complications still common amongst those with pediatric VAD's even when anticoagulation is maintained appropriately? What are the factors at work that make safe anticoagulation so difficult in this complex and fragile group of patients? Dr. Heyrend provides the pharmacist's perspective this week. DOI: 10.1097/MAT.0000000000001261