title: Don't miss HIT (heparin induced thrombocytopenia).
abstract: Thrombocytopenia following a burn injury can cause serious complications. There are several possible causes including the burn itself, drugs, sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A case report of a patient who developed heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) whilst on haemofiltration for acute renal failure is presented. The aetiology of thrombocytopenia in a burns patient and its management is discussed. The key to effective treatment of thrombocytopenia is identification of the cause. HIT is an important diagnosis to include in the differential.
authors.affiliation: SHO Plastic Surgery, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, London, UK. benhorner@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Horner
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Myers
mesh_terms: D058186:Acute Kidney Injury / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications*; D006440:Hemofiltration; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis
chemical_list: D000925:Anticoagulants; D006493:Heparin