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Intensive Care Medicine

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01-10-2004 | Original

Thrombosis and hemorrhage in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in seriously ill patients

Authors: Jos P. J. Wester, Fred J. L. M. Haas, Douwe H. Biesma, J. A. Leusink, Gerda Veth

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 10/2004

Abstract

Objective

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is the most common form of drug-induced immune-mediated thrombocytopenia. HIT may be aggravated by life-threatening arterial and venous thrombosis and, to a lesser extent, hemorrhagic complications. We investigated the incidence of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications in critically ill patients with the multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and HIT.

Design

Case-control study.

Setting

A 33-bed general intensive care unit in a university-affiliated teaching hospital.

Patients

Twenty consecutive patients with laboratory-proven HIT compared with 20 contemporary, consecutive patients without HIT.

Interventions

Unfractionated heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin were replaced by danaparoid sodium in patients with HIT.

Measurements and results

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia was proven by a positive platelet aggregation test. The HIT group consisted of 14 males and 6 females aged 65.2±10.8 years (mean ± standard deviation) with APACHE II scores of 26.7±5.4. Thrombocytopenia less than 100×10⁹/l developed within 6.4±7.0 days. In 12 patients thrombocytopenia resolved after discontinuation of unfractionated heparin in 8.8±6.4 days. Arterial and venous thromboembolic complications occurred more frequently in HIT patients than in non-HIT patients (10/20 (50%) versus 0/20 (0%); chi-square p<0.001). Hemorrhagic complications also occurred more frequently in HIT patients than in non-HIT patients (17/20 (85%) versus 7/20 (35%); chi-square p=0.001).

Conclusion

In critically ill patients with HIT, the incidence of thromboembolic complications and hemorrhagic complications was remarkably high.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Thrombosis and hemorrhage in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in seriously ill patients
Authors: Jos P. J. Wester
Fred J. L. M. Haas
Douwe H. Biesma
J. A. Leusink
Gerda Veth
Publication date: 01-10-2004
Publisher: Springer-Verlag
Published in: Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 10/2004
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-004-2334-1

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Thrombosis and hemorrhage in heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in seriously ill patients

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients

Interventions

Measurements and results

Conclusion

At a glance: The STEP trials

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objective

Design

Setting

Patients

Interventions

Measurements and results

Conclusion

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