Key result
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a severe prothrombotic condition requiring immediate discontinuation of heparin and initiation of non-heparin anticoagulants upon clinical suspicion.
This review summarizes the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, emphasizing the need for immediate treatment upon clinical suspicion before laboratory confirmation.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a major health problem, especially in cardiac surgery theaters, cardiac catheterization labs, and intensive care units. Some patients with HIT develop serious thrombotic complications like limb ischemia and gangrene, while others may not develop such complications and have only mild thrombocytopenia. Current laboratory diagnostic tools incur significant time delays before confirming HIT, therefore upon clinical suspicion, treatment of HIT should start immediately while awaiting laboratory results. This is a review of the types, phases, pathophysiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis of HIT, and its current management strategies.
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Mahmoud Fathi (2018) conducted a review in Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). Non-heparin anticoagulants was evaluated. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a severe prothrombotic condition requiring immediate discontinuation of heparin and initiation of non-heparin anticoagulants upon clinical suspicion.
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