title: [Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with unfractionated heparin. A prospective study of inpatient treatment of internal medicine patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the influence of unfractionated heparin on heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 162 patients with internal diseases treated therapeutically of prophylactically with unfractionated heparin (heparin sodium, heparin calcium), we carried out a prospective study to determine the incidence of HIT type I and II. 55.6% of the patients were female (n = 90) with an average age of 76.5 years (range: 25 to 96 years) and 44.4% male (n = 72) with an average age of 67.5 years (range: 17 to 93 years). A platelet count was taken regularly before the start of heparin treatment, on the first day of treatment and then every second day from day 5 to 20. Whenever HIT II was suspected, an HIPA test was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Type I HIT occurred in 10%, type II in 3% of the cases. Two of the 5 patients with type II developed severe thrombotic complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In view of the high incidence of HIT, regular platelet counts should always be carried out in patients receiving heparin treatment.
authors.affiliation: Innere Abteilung, Franziskus-Krankenhauses Berlin.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Heidrich
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kahl
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Penninger
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bechstein
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Birkenmaier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dressler
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fahrig
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Helmis
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Herman
authors.forename: U
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: von Knobloch
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ladleif
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Meier
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rudolph
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Schlich
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wanke
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zwernemann
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010343:Patient Admission; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin
vernacular_title: Heparin-induzierte Thrombozytopenien unter nichtfraktioniertem Heparin. Eine prospektive Studie bei stationär behandelten internistischen Patienten.