Abstract: The invention relates to an antidote for hirudin and synthetic thrombin inhibitors; the antidote contains a compound that splits prothrombin into meizothrombin, a prothrombin intermediate, a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a mixture of these compounds, together with conventional vehicles and/or diluents. The present invention also relates to the application of a compound that splits prothrombin into meizothrombin, a prothrombin intermediate, or a pharmacologically acceptable salt thereof or a mixture of these compounds, together with conventional vehicles and/or diluents as an antidote for hirudin and synthetic thrombin inhibitors or for the preparation of an antidote for hirudin and synthetic thrombin inhibitors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for determining the content of hirudin or of a synthetic thrombin inhibitor in the blood. A prothrombin intermediate, or a compound that splits prothrombin into meizothrombin, or a mixture thereof, is added to a blood sample and a measurement is taken of the time that elapses between the addition of the reagent to the sample and the beginning of coagulation. Comparison is then made, where necessary, with a standard calibration curve.