Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in neurologic disease treated with unfractionated heparin.
The risk for immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in neurologic patients receiving unfractionated heparin (UFH) is not known. In a prospective study of 200 patients, the authors found a 2.5% rate of HIT and a 2% rate of HIT-associated thromboses, suggesting that neurologic patients treated with UFH are at considerable risk for development of HIT and its complications. Prevalence of heparin-induced antibodies was 20.5% and was dependent on heparin dose. It was higher in cerebrovascular than in noncerebrovascular (29.4% versus 11.2%, p < 0.01) patients.
Institute for Experimental Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universität, Bonn, Germany. ursula.harbrecht@ukb.uni-bonn.de
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Harbrecht
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Bastians
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Kredteck
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Hanfland
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Klockgether
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Pohl
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D016553:Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology; D012306:Risk; D013927:Thrombosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology
D006493:Heparin