RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: How to manage it, how to avoid it
JF Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
JO Cleve Clin J Med
FD Cleveland Clinic
SP 621
OP 624
VO 67
IS 9
A2 Wilke, William S.
A1 Caiola, Enrico
YR 2000
UL http://www.ccjm.org/content/67/9/621.abstract
AB Heparin therapy has two potential adverse effects: bleeding and heparin-Induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). There are two types of HIT: type I is more common but less severe; type II occurs less frequently but involves severe thrombocytopenia and a high risk for thrombotic events. Treatment involves discontinuing heparin, allowing the platelet count to return to normal, and treating any thrombosis. Lepirudin (Refludan) is the only agent currently approved for the treatment of HIT-related thrombosis, but other agents may have a role in combination therapy. Prevention includes using low molecular weight heparin instead of unfractionated heparin and limiting unfractionated heparin therapy to less than 5 days.