Bivalirudin-associated intracoronary thrombosis during gamma-brachytherapy and its experimental validation in acute swine model.

Bivalirudin is indicated for use as an anticoagulant in patients with unstable angina undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty. Cases of intracoronary thrombosis have been reported with beta-radiation when bivalirudin is used as an anticoagulant. We report two cases of intracoronary thrombosis with gamma-radiation when bivalirudin is used. Copyright 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.