title: Management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) in patients with systemic vasculitis and pulmonary haemorrhage.
abstract: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a relatively uncommon but potentially fatal complication of the use of heparin in haemodialysis. It is associated with a risk of venous and arterial thrombosis due to the formation of a heparin-platelet factor 4 antibody. Early recognition and immediate treatment of HIT are crucial to reduce the morbidity and mortality rate. Here, we report two patients with acute kidney injury due to anti-glomerular membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis respectively who developed haemoptysis and pulmonary haemorrhage complicated by HIT. We discuss the diagnostic and management challenges of such patients.
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Kidney Institute , Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust , Sheffield , UK ; Kidney Genetics Group, Academic Nephrology Unit , University of Sheffield Medical School , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Kah Mean
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Thong
authors.affiliation: Department of Haematology , Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toth
authors.affiliation: Sheffield Kidney Institute , Sheffield Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust , Sheffield , UK.
authors.forename: Arif
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khwaja
keywords: anti-glomerular membrane (GBM) glomerulonephritis; granulomatosis with polyangiitis; heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT); thrombosis