title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis: a potential fatal complication in a routine treatment.
abstract: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a severe complication of heparin therapy. Life-threatening thromboembolism (HITT) may occur in a large number of patients with HIT. In this article diagnostic problems and the clinical course of 4 typical patients are described. Diagnosis was based on the occurrence of thrombocytopenia during heparin therapy and was confirmed in vitro by an ELISA to heparin-platelet factor 4 antibodies, heparin-induced platelet activation assay (HIPAA) or the platelet aggregation assay (PAA). Thrombotic complications developed in 2 patients, one of whom suffered a fatal embolism after accidentally rechallenging with low-dose heparin which was used to maintain the patency of an intravascular catheter. After discontinuation of heparin the thrombocyte count rapidly increased to normal values during treatment with the heparinoid danaparoid (Orgaran) without complications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology, University Hospital Dijkzigt, Erasmus University, Rotterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Boon
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Kappers-Klunne
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Michiels
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Stibbe
authors.forename: H H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: van Vliet
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004338:Drug Combinations; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count / Q000187:drug effects; D010979:Platelet Function Tests; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000097:blood / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy
chemical_list: D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate; D004338:Drug Combinations; D006493:Heparin; D006497:Heparan Sulfate; C035838:danaparoid