Anticoagulation, endocrine and GI
Argatroban drip
HIT
Dosing
| Start | 2 mcg/kg/min; 0.5 mcg/kg/min with moderate or severe liver impairment (label); 0.5–1.2 with heart failure, multiorgan failure or after cardiac surgery (ACCP 2012) |
|---|---|
| Titrate | To aPTT 1.5–3 times baseline (not over 100 s), checked 2 hours after each change |
| Maximum | 10 mcg/kg/min |
| Common bags | 250 mg in 250 mL (1 mg/mL); 50 mg in 50 mL (1 mg/mL) |
| Dose units | mcg/kg/min |
Line and administration
- Dedicated line or compatible Y-site
Watch for
- Cleared by the liver: no kidney adjustment
- Raises the INR: warfarin overlap needs a specific protocol
- Bleeding; no reversal agent
Argatroban: full drug monographIndications, mechanism, pharmacokinetics, cautions and every dose the app lists.
In the one-pagers
- Bleeding, Reversal, HIT and DICHeparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT): Start a non-heparin anticoagulant at once: argatroban (liver-cleared; good in kidney failure) or bivalirudin; fondaparinux or a DOAC when stable
- CRRT (Continuous Renal Replacement)Anticoagulation: Metabolic alkalosis usually means citrate overload (citrate becomes bicarbonate). In HIT, stop all heparin, including catheter locks, flushes and priming; use a non-heparin anticoagulant such as argatroban (liver-cleared, aPTT-monitored) per protocol.
- ECMO EssentialsMonitoring and anticoagulation: UFH is usual; bivalirudin or argatroban if HIT. High free Hb, bilirubin or lipids falsely lower anti-Xa. Follow your institution's protocols.
- Impella Heart PumpPurge system: HIT: stop all heparin, purge included. Use a bicarbonate-dextrose purge and IV argatroban or bivalirudin, per your institution's or agency's protocols.
Practice Bleeding, Reversal, HIT and DIC questions free34 exam-style questions with rationales on the topic where argatroban comes up most. No account or download needed.
Other anticoagulation, endocrine and gi
- Heparin
- Insulin (regular)
- Amiodarone
- Diltiazem
- Octreotide
- Pantoprazole
- Furosemide
- Bivalirudin
- Procainamide
- Lidocaine
- Magnesium sulfate
- Naloxone
- Eptifibatide
- Bumetanide
Practice free in your browser3,800+ exam-style questions with rationales. No account, no ads. Also free on the App Store and Google Play.
For education and exam preparation only. Follow your institution’s protocols. Study aid: check every dose against the order, the bag label, your pump library and your institution's protocol.