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CompletedNCT00684450ProtamineUpdated Aug 25, 2011

Cardiac Surgery: In Vivo Titration of Protamine

An interventional study of Titration protamine and Standard administration of protamine in Bleeding, sponsored by Montreal Heart Institute. Completed at 1 site in Canada. Open to participants aged 18 Years and older. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2011-08-25.

Sponsored by Montreal Heart Institute · Not applicable, Interventional, and Treatment

Phase
Not applicable
Study type
Interventional
Enrollment
138
Allocation
Randomized
Ages
18 Years and older
Sex
All
01

Study summary

Safe use of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) requires massive doses of intravenous unfractionated heparin. At end-CPB, residual heparin is neutralized with intravenous injection of protamine sulfate. This prospective, randomized, controlled study will be conducted in 82 voluntary subjects admitted for elective, first intention, cardiac surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass. Each will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. The control group will be submitted to a standard protamine infusion of 1.3mg :100U of the total heparin dose given during bypass. The test group will receive an infusion of protamine (over 15 minutes) until activated clotting time (ACT) values (determined every 3 minutes) depict a plateau, sign that the optimal protamine to heparin ratio has been attained. The investigators hypothesize this new in vivo titration method to be as efficient as the standard protocol (adequacy of heparin neutralization, % heparin rebound, bleeding, and transfusion), and potentially safer by its ability to prevent protamine overdose and its deleterious impact on platelet function.15

Principal Objective

Evaluate a new in vivo method of titration of protamine sulfate.

Secondary Objective

Evaluate the impact of this method on the adequacy of heparin neutralization by measuring:

  1. platelet count
  2. postoperative bleeding
  3. transfusion exposure a
  4. incidence of heparin rebound
Read the detailed description

Protamine sulfate is administered to reverse the anticoagulant effects of heparin upon completion of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). In most cases, protamine is given in amounts sufficient to neutralize the total dose of heparin.9 This dose is usually calculated with a ratio of 1.3mg protamine for every 100U heparin given.10 In the literature, reported doses of intraoperatively administered protamine range from 0 to 8mg per 100U of heparin. Given in excess, protamine can, in addition to complement activation and hemodynamic instability,11 induce platelet dysfunctions.12-16 The latter significantly increases both the cost and morbidity of cardiac interventions as it is one of the main causes of postoperative bleeding. The optimal protamine/heparin ratio is difficult to individualize for each patient because of the great interpatient variability in heparin's metabolism4-7 and of the absence of correlation between ACT and heparin's plasma concentration.8 Consumption of heparin may vary from 0.01 to 3.86U/Kg per minute during CPB.30 The exact concentration of remaining circulating heparin at the end of bypass is not easily obtained.

02

Conditions studied

  • Bleeding

Keywords

  • titration of protamine
  • exact dose
  • protamine
  • neutralize heparin
03

In context

Lead sponsor

Montreal Heart Institute is the lead sponsor of 101 studies on the registry; 25 are open to participants now.

Counted across the registry records on this site, refreshed daily.

04

Who can participate

Ages eligible
18 Years and older
Sexes eligible
All
Accepts healthy volunteers
No

Inclusion criteria

  • First intention, elective, cardiac surgery: either Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG)or valve repair/replacement.
  • Patients on preoperative aspirin, clopidogrel or heparin will be included.

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Combination of CABG and valve surgery
  • Second intention cardiac surgery
  • ASA 5 patients
  • Pre-existing hemostatic disorder (as evidenced by history)
  • Pregnancy
  • PLavix \< 5 days before de surgery
05

Study design

Phase
Not applicable
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention model
Parallel assignment
Masking
Double (Participant, Investigator)
Enrollment
138 participants (actual)

Study arms

  • Active comparator
    1

    in vivo protamine titration in cardiac surgery. The titration is done during administration of protamine each 3 minutes to reach 2 consecutive ACT defined as 2 similar ACT values, within 10% variability, and ACT ≤ to 160 seconds. .The protamine is stopped when this values are obtain. Follow-up is done 15 minutes and 3 hours post-protamine

    Procedure: Titration protamine

  • Active comparator
    2

    standard protamine administration ACT is done during administration of protamine each 3 minutes the values are recorded but the totality of protamine is given. Follow-up is done 15 minutes and 3 hours post-protamine

    Drug: Standard administration of protamine

Interventions

  • ProcedureTitration protamine

    10. Study group: celite ACT will be performed every 3 minutes during protamine infusion until ACT values suggest reach of a plateau (defined as 2 similar ACT values, within 10% variability, and ACT ≤ to 160 seconds.), time at which infusion will be stopped. 2cc of blood is required per ACT test, for a maximum total of 10cc.

    Also known as: Protamine in vivo titration in cardiac surgery

  • DrugStandard administration of protamine

    1.3 mg of Protamine for 100u héparine

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What researchers measure

Primary outcomes

  1. Effective heparin neutralization (anti-Xa < 0.3 U/ml)

    Time frame: Pre protamine, 15 min post protamine, 3h post protamine

Secondary outcomes

  1. Frequency of heparin rebound

    Time frame: 15 min post protamine and 3 hours post Protamine

  2. Blood losses after surgery and transfusion requirements

    Time frame: discharge

  3. Preservation of the platelet count

    Time frame: Pre operate, Pré Protamine, 15 min post Protamine, 3 hours post Protamine

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Study locations

1 site
  • Montreal Heart Institute
    Montreal, Quebec H1T 1C8, Canada
08

References and documents

Publications

  • Hattersley PG. Activated coagulation time of whole blood. JAMA. 1966 May 2;196(5):436-40. No abstract available. PubMed 5952227 ↗
  • Young JA, Kisker CT, Doty DB. Adequate anticoagulation during cardiopulmonary bypass determined by activated clotting time and the appearance of fibrin monomer. Ann Thorac Surg. 1978 Sep;26(3):231-40. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)63676-4. PubMed 110273 ↗
  • Babka R, Colby C, El-Etr A, Pifarre R. Monitoring of intraoperative heparinization and blood loss following cardiopulmonary bypass surgery. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1977 May;73(5):780-2. PubMed 850438 ↗
  • McAvoy TJ. Pharmacokinetic modeling of heparin and its clinical implications. J Pharmacokinet Biopharm. 1979 Aug;7(4):331-54. doi: 10.1007/BF01062533. PubMed 512841 ↗
  • de Swart CA, Nijmeyer B, Roelofs JM, Sixma JJ. Kinetics of intravenously administered heparin in normal humans. Blood. 1982 Dec;60(6):1251-8. PubMed 7139119 ↗
  • Estes JW, Poulin PF. Pharmocokinetics of heparin. Distribution and elimination. Thromb Diath Haemorrh. 1975 Feb 28;33(1):26-37. No abstract available. PubMed 47194 ↗
  • Despotis GJ, Levine V, Joiner-Maier D, Joist JH. A comparison between continuous infusion versus standard bolus administration of heparin based on monitoring in cardiac surgery. Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 1997 Oct;8(7):419-30. doi: 10.1097/00001721-199710000-00007. PubMed 9391723 ↗
  • Gravlee GP, Case LD, Angert KC, Rogers AT, Miller GS. Variability of the activated coagulation time. Anesth Analg. 1988 May;67(5):469-72. No abstract available. PubMed 3364767 ↗
  • Despotis GJ, Gravlee G, Filos K, Levy J. Anticoagulation monitoring during cardiac surgery: a review of current and emerging techniques. Anesthesiology. 1999 Oct;91(4):1122-51. doi: 10.1097/00000542-199910000-00031. PubMed 10519514 ↗
  • Lowary LR, Smith FA, Coyne E, Dunham NW. Comparative neutralization of lung- and mucosal-derived heparin by protamine sulfate using in vitro and in vivo methods. J Pharm Sci. 1971 Apr;60(4):638-40. doi: 10.1002/jps.2600600436. No abstract available. PubMed 5128383 ↗
  • Kirklin JK, Chenoweth DE, Naftel DC, Blackstone EH, Kirklin JW, Bitran DD, Curd JG, Reves JG, Samuelson PN. Effects of protamine administration after cardiopulmonary bypass on complement, blood elements, and the hemodynamic state. Ann Thorac Surg. 1986 Feb;41(2):193-9. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)62668-9. PubMed 3947172 ↗
  • Carr ME Jr, Carr SL. At high heparin concentrations, protamine concentrations which reverse heparin anticoagulant effects are insufficient to reverse heparin anti-platelet effects. Thromb Res. 1994 Sep 15;75(6):617-30. doi: 10.1016/0049-3848(94)90174-0. PubMed 7831681 ↗
  • Harker LA. Bleeding after cardiopulmonary bypass. N Engl J Med. 1986 May 29;314(22):1446-8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM198605293142209. No abstract available. PubMed 3702953 ↗
  • Miyashita T, Nakajima T, Hayashi Y, Kuro M. Hemostatic effects of low-dose protamine following cardiopulmonary bypass. Am J Hematol. 2000 Jun;64(2):112-5. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1096-8652(200006)64:23.0.co;2-n. PubMed 10814990 ↗
  • Mochizuki T, Olson PJ, Szlam F, Ramsay JG, Levy JH. Protamine reversal of heparin affects platelet aggregation and activated clotting time after cardiopulmonary bypass. Anesth Analg. 1998 Oct;87(4):781-5. doi: 10.1097/00000539-199810000-00008. PubMed 9768770 ↗
  • Shigeta O, Kojima H, Hiramatsu Y, Jikuya T, Terada Y, Atsumi N, Sakakibara Y, Nagasawa T, Mitsui T. Low-dose protamine based on heparin-protamine titration method reduces platelet dysfunction after cardiopulmonary bypass. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1999 Aug;118(2):354-60. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5223(99)70227-8. PubMed 10425010 ↗
  • Berger RL, Ramaswamy K, Ryan TJ. Reduced protamine dosage for heparin neutralization in open-heart operations. Circulation. 1968 Apr;37(4 Suppl):II154-7. doi: 10.1161/01.cir.37.4s2.ii-154. No abstract available. PubMed 5646575 ↗
  • Guffin AV, Dunbar RW, Kaplan JA, Bland JW Jr. Successful use of a reduced dose of protamine after cardiopulmonary bypass. Anesth Analg. 1976 Jan-Feb;55(1):110-3. PubMed 1108703 ↗
  • Moriau M, Masure R, Hurlet A, Debeys C, Chalant C, Ponlot R, Jaumain P, Servaye-Kestens Y, Ravaux A, Louis A, Goenen M. Haemostasis disorders in open heart surgery with extracorporeal circulation. Importance of the platelet function and the heparin neutralization. Vox Sang. 1977;32(1):41-51. doi: 10.1111/j.1423-0410.1977.tb00602.x. PubMed 841962 ↗
  • Jobes DR, Schwartz AJ, Ellison N, Andrews R, Ruffini RA, Ruffini JJ. Monitoring heparin anticoagulation and its neutralization. Ann Thorac Surg. 1981 Feb;31(2):161-6. doi: 10.1016/s0003-4975(10)61536-6. PubMed 6970019 ↗
  • Ottesen S, Stormorken H, Hatteland K. The value of activated coagulation time in monitoring heparin therapy during extracorporeal circulation. Scand J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1984;18(2):123-8. doi: 10.3109/14017438409102391. PubMed 6611586 ↗
  • Keeler JF, Shah MV, Hansbro SD. Protamine--the need to determine the dose. Comparison of a simple protamine titration method with an empirical dose regimen for reversal of heparinisation following cardiopulmonary bypass. Anaesthesia. 1991 Nov;46(11):925-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2044.1991.tb09848.x. PubMed 1750591 ↗
  • Jobes DR, Aitken GL, Shaffer GW. Increased accuracy and precision of heparin and protamine dosing reduces blood loss and transfusion in patients undergoing primary cardiac operations. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995 Jul;110(1):36-45. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5223(05)80007-8. PubMed 7609566 ↗
  • Shore-Lesserson L, Reich DL, DePerio M. Heparin and protamine titration do not improve haemostasis in cardiac surgical patients. Can J Anaesth. 1998 Jan;45(1):10-8. doi: 10.1007/BF03011985. PubMed 9466020 ↗
  • Despotis GJ, Joist JH, Hogue CW Jr, Alsoufiev A, Kater K, Goodnough LT, Santoro SA, Spitznagel E, Rosenblum M, Lappas DG. The impact of heparin concentration and activated clotting time monitoring on blood conservation. A prospective, randomized evaluation in patients undergoing cardiac operation. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1995 Jul;110(1):46-54. doi: 10.1016/S0022-5223(05)80008-X. PubMed 7609568 ↗
  • Hardy JF, Belisle S, Robitaille D, Perrault J, Roy M, Gagnon L. Measurement of heparin concentration in whole blood with the Hepcon/HMS device does not agree with laboratory determination of plasma heparin concentration using a chromogenic substrate for activated factor X. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 1996 Jul;112(1):154-61. doi: 10.1016/s0022-5223(96)70191-5. PubMed 8691862 ↗
  • Gravlee GP, Rogers AT, Dudas LM, Taylor R, Roy RC, Case LD, Triscott M, Brown CW, Mark LJ, Cordell AR. Heparin management protocol for cardiopulmonary bypass influences postoperative heparin rebound but not bleeding. Anesthesiology. 1992 Mar;76(3):393-401. doi: 10.1097/00000542-199203000-00012. PubMed 1539851 ↗
  • Martin P, Horkay F, Gupta NK, Gebitekin C, Walker DR. Heparin rebound phenomenon--much ado about nothing? Blood Coagul Fibrinolysis. 1992 Apr;3(2):187-91. PubMed 1606290 ↗
  • Shanberge JN, Murato M, Quattrociocchi-Longe T, van Neste L. Heparin-protamine complexes in the production of heparin rebound and other complications of extracorporeal bypass procedures. Am J Clin Pathol. 1987 Feb;87(2):210-7. doi: 10.1093/ajcp/87.2.210. PubMed 3812352 ↗
  • Mabry CD, Read RC, Thompson BW, Williams GD, White HJ. Identification of heparin resistance during cardiac and vascular surgery. Arch Surg. 1979 Feb;114(2):129-34. doi: 10.1001/archsurg.1979.01370260019002. PubMed 426618 ↗
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Updates

Tracking since Sep 25, 2026
No changes since tracking began. The registry record was last updated on Aug 25, 2011, before this site started recording changes on Sep 25, 2026. Its history is on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗
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Registry details

Key details

Study ID
NCT00684450
Lead sponsor
Montreal Heart Institute
Collaborators
Organon
Responsible party
Antoine Rochon (M.D. FRCPC, Montreal Heart Institute) — Principal investigator
First posted
May 26, 2008
Start date
Jun 2008
Primary completion
Jun 2011
Completion
Jun 2011
Last update
Aug 25, 2011

Study contacts

Antoine G Rochon
principal investigator · Montreal Heart Institute

Oversight

Data monitoring committee
Yes
View the source record on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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