[Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia]

Ugeskr Laeger. 2009 Feb 16;171(8):612-5.
[Article in Danish]

Abstract

Heparin treatment can cause an immune-mediated thrombocytopenia: HIT. HIT antibodies can be detected by various methods, but laboratory analyses are not specific or sensitive and may delay the diagnostic process. It is therefore important to initiate alternative treatment based on the clinical findings, and a clinical score system for evaluating the risk of HIT has been suggested. When HIT is likely, treatment consists of immediate replacement of heparin with alternative anticoagulation treatment and refrainment from warfarin therapy and platelet infusion.

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects*
  • Anticoagulants / therapeutic use
  • Arginine / analogs & derivatives
  • Chondroitin Sulfates / therapeutic use
  • Dermatan Sulfate / therapeutic use
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Fibrinolytic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Heparin / adverse effects*
  • Heparitin Sulfate / therapeutic use
  • Hirudins
  • Humans
  • Pipecolic Acids / therapeutic use
  • Recombinant Proteins / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Sulfonamides
  • Thrombocytopenia / chemically induced*
  • Thrombocytopenia / diagnosis
  • Thrombocytopenia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anticoagulants
  • Fibrinolytic Agents
  • Hirudins
  • Pipecolic Acids
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Sulfonamides
  • Dermatan Sulfate
  • Heparin
  • Chondroitin Sulfates
  • Heparitin Sulfate
  • Arginine
  • danaparoid
  • argatroban
  • lepirudin