Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis

Review links bivalirudin with fewer complications in children on ECMO

Researchers combined results from 12 studies involving 770 children receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, or ECMO, a form of life support. Compared with unfractionated heparin, bivalirudin was associated with lower odds of major bleeding, blood clots, neurologic events, and death in the hospital, but the findings do not prove that bivalirudin caused these differences.