[Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with unfractionated heparin. A prospective study of inpatient treatment of internal medicine patients].
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.
Heidrich
H
H
Innere Abteilung, Franziskus-Krankenhauses Berlin.
Kahl
K
K
Penninger
C
C
Bechstein
B
B
Birkenmaier
M
M
Dressler
S
S
Fahrig
C
C
Helmis
J
J
Herman
G
G
von Knobloch
U
U
Ladleif
M
M
Meier
K
K
Rudolph
M
M
Schlich
B
B
Wanke
M
M
Zwernemann
B
B
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*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin
Heparin-induzierte Thrombozytopenien unter nichtfraktioniertem Heparin. Eine prospektive Studie bei stationär behandelten internistischen Patienten.