| abstract |
This invention relates to anticoagulant and platelet inhibitory compositions, combinations and methods characterized by biologically active peptides which display the anticoagulant and platelet inhibitory activities of hirudin, or analogs thereof, for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes. The methods, compositions and combinations of this invention and advantageously useful for decreasing or preventing platelet aggregation and platelet activation in a patient or a biological sample. These methods, compositions and combinations are particularly useful in patients for whom standard heparin therapy is contraindicated due to a history of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia or an antithrombin III deficiency. This invention also relates to methods, compositions and combinations for treating extracorporeal blood and for increasing platelet storage life. |