Delayed-onset heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.
BACKGROUND
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia presents 5 to 12 days after heparin exposure, with or without arterial or venous thromboemboli. Delayed recognition and treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia contribute to poor patient outcomes.


OBJECTIVE
To describe and increase awareness of a clinical scenario in which the onset or manifestations of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia are delayed.


METHODS
Retrospective case series.


METHODS
Three large urban hospitals (with active cardiovascular surgery programs).


METHODS
14 patients seen over a 3-year period in whom heparin-induced thrombocytopenia became apparent on delayed presentation with thromboembolic complications.


METHODS
Platelet counts, onset of objectively determined thromboembolism, results of heparin-induced platelet factor 4 antibody tests, and outcomes.


RESULTS
Patients went home after hospitalizations that had included heparin exposure--in most cases, with no thrombocytopenia recognized--only to return to the hospital (median, day 14) with thromboembolic complications. Thromboemboli were venous (12 patients, 7 with pulmonary emboli) or arterial (4 patients) or both. Platelet counts were mildly decreased in all but 2 patients on second presentation. On readmission, 11 patients received therapeutic heparin, which worsened the patients' clinical condition and, in all 11 cases, decreased the platelet count (mean at readmission, 143 x 10(9) cells/L; mean nadir after heparin re-exposure, 39 x 10(9) cells/L). Results of serologic tests for heparin-induced antibodies were positive in all patients. Subsequent treatments included alternative anticoagulants (11 patients), thrombolytic drugs (3 patients), inferior vena cava filters (3 patients) and, eventually, warfarin (11 patients). Three patients died.


CONCLUSIONS
Delayed-onset heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is increasingly being recognized. To avoid disastrous outcomes, physicians must consider heparin-induced thrombocytopenia whenever a recently hospitalized patient returns with thromboembolism; therapy with alternative anticoagulants, not heparin, should be initiated.
Rice
Lawrence
L
Baylor College of Medicine, The Methodist Hospital, and St Luke's Episcopal Hospital, 6565 Fannin Street, MS 902-Main, Suite 930, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Attisha
Walid K
WK
Drexler
Alane
A
Francis
John L
JL
D000368:Aged; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010976:Platelet Count; D010978:Platelet Factor 4 / Q000276:immunology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000139:chemically induced; D013997:Time Factors
D000925:Anticoagulants; D001323:Autoantibodies; D010978:Platelet Factor 4; D006493:Heparin