title: Heparin induced thrombocytopenia: diagnosis and management update.
abstract: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a potentially devastating immune mediated adverse drug reaction caused by the emergence of antibodies that activate platelets in the presence of heparin. Despite thrombocytopenia, bleeding is rare; rather, HIT is strongly associated with thromboembolic complications involving both the arterial and venous systems. A number of laboratory tests are available to confirm the diagnosis; however, when HIT is clinically suspected, treatment should not be withheld pending the result. Fortunately, therapeutic strategies have been refined, and new and effective therapeutic agents are available. Treatment options are focused on inhibiting thrombin formation or direct thrombin inhibition. Warfarin should not be used until the platelet count has recovered.
authors.affiliation: Leicester Royal Infirmary, Infirmary Square, Leicester, UK. driftikhar64@doctors.org.uk
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Majeed
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Powell
mesh_terms: D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001120:Arginine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013504:Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures; D002809:Chondroitin Sulfates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003871:Dermatan Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005343:Fibrinolytic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000139:chemically induced; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006497:Heparan Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006629:Hirudins; D006801:Humans; D010875:Pipecolic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006435:Renal Dialysis; D013449:Sulfonamides; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D014859:Warfarin / Q000627:therapeutic use