Bivalirudin for Prevention of Prosthetic Valve Thrombosis in Heparin Allergy

Abstract

A 68-year-old male was admitted for implantation of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). He had a prosthetic mechanical valve for which he was receiving anticoagulation with warfarin, but had developed an allergy to heparin. Therefore, we decided to use bivalirudin for anticoagulation, which permitted him to undergo the procedure without complications.