Low-molecular-weight heparin compared with unfractionated heparin reduced the frequency of PF4/heparin seroconversion (1.7% vs 6.6%; P=0.002) in trauma patients.
RCT (n=614)
Double-blind
Randomized
Does LMWH compared to UFH reduce the risk of PF4/heparin seroconversion and HIT in trauma patients?
In trauma patients, major surgery increases the risk of an anti-PF4/heparin immune response, and LMWH (certoparin) induces seroconversion less frequently than UFH.
Absolute Event Rate: 1.7% vs 6.6%
p-value: p=.002
Heparin can induce heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). The combined effect of type of surgery (major vs minor) and heparin on this prothrombotic immune reaction to platelet factor 4 (PF4)/heparin was analyzed. In a randomized, double-blind study, trauma patients receiving low-molecular-weight (LMWH) or unfractionated heparin (UFH) for thrombosis prophylaxis were assessed for PF4/heparin-antibody seroconversion, HIT, and thrombosis according to type of surgery. The risk for seroconversion was higher than major versus minor surgery odds ratio, 7.98 95% confidence interval, 2.06-31.00, P = .003, controlled for potential confounders, as was the risk for HIT (2.2% 95% confidence interval, 0.3%-4.1% vs 0.0%, P = .010). During LMWH compared with UFH thromboprophylaxis, HIT (1 of 298 vs 4 of 316; P = .370) and PF4/heparin seroconversion (1.7% vs 6.6%; P = .002) were less frequent, driven by differences in patients undergoing major surgery (incidence of HIT: LMWH 0.8% vs UFH 4.0%; P = .180; seroconversion rates: 4.0% vs 17.0%; P = .001). After minor surgery, no case of HIT occurred. The severity of trauma and the need for major surgery strongly influence the risk of an anti-PF4/heparin immune response, which is then increased by UFH. In major trauma certoparin may be safer than UFH because it induces HIT-antibody seroconversion, and the corresponding risk of HIT, less frequently.
Lübenow et al. (Sat,) conducted a rct in Trauma (n=614). Low-molecular-weight heparin (certoparin) vs. Unfractionated heparin (UFH) was evaluated on PF4/heparin-antibody seroconversion (p=.002). Low-molecular-weight heparin compared with unfractionated heparin reduced the frequency of PF4/heparin seroconversion (1.7% vs 6.6%; P=0.002) in trauma patients.