title: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia--recognition and treatment.
abstract: Heparin, an important agent for the prophylaxis and treatment of venous and arterial thromboembolism, also can cause heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). This medication-induced immune-mediated syndrome is characterized by thrombocytopenia and life- or limb-threatening thrombotic events. The initial presentation of HIT is a decrease in platelet count with or without thrombosis. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia frequently is overlooked in hospital settings, and it must be distinguished from other causes of thrombocytopenia. New therapies include the use of direct thrombin inhibitors argatroban and hirudin.
authors.affiliation: Patient Care Service/Emergency Department, University of California, Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, USA.
authors.forename: Penny L
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D024764:Hirudin Therapy; D006801:Humans; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D013527:Perioperative Nursing; D010875:Pipecolic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing*
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D010875:Pipecolic Acids; D013449:Sulfonamides; D006493:Heparin; D001120:Arginine; C031942:argatroban