Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in surgical patients.
BACKGROUND
Unfractionated and low-molecular-weight heparin are commonly used in the prevention and therapy of a variety of cardiovascular diseases. Because the major side effects of these drugs are hemorrhagic events, very little attention is paid to another important side effect (ie, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia [HIT]). HIT is an immune-mediated transient prothrombotic state with very severe implications determined by thromboembolic phenomena in both the venous and arterial circulation.


METHODS
A PubMed search from 1995 to 2008 was performed. Pertinent literature was identified and other references retrieved from bibliographic citations of the articles identified on PubMed. Articles related to the pathogenesis, clinical picture, diagnosis and treatment of HIT were reviewed.


CONCLUSIONS
HIT is a potentially fatal but treatable and largely preventable disease. An increased awareness of the signs and symptoms of the disorder is necessary to prevent its potentially devastating complications.
Battistelli
Sandra
S
Department of Surgery, University of Siena, Policlinico Le Scotte, Viale Bracci, 53100 Siena, Italy. battistelli@unisi.it
Genovese
Alberto
A
Gori
Tommaso
T
D000925:Anticoagulants / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006493:Heparin / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control; D018570:Risk Assessment; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013921:Thrombocytopenia / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013923:Thromboembolism / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*
D000925:Anticoagulants; D006495:Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight; D006493:Heparin