Key result
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia causes severe thrombosis with ~5% to 10% mortality, requiring immediate alternative anticoagulation.
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Heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT) is a severe and potentially life-threatening adverse drug reaction. Patients become extremely hypercoagulable, and this can lead to life-threatening and limb-threatening thrombosis with a mortality of 5%-10%. HIT is an antibody-mediated process in which platelet activation occurs. Diagnosis requires a high index of suspicion along with a scoring system and laboratory testing. Patients suspected of having HIT must not receive any further heparin or low-molecular weight heparin and must be started on an alternative anticoagulant such as argatroban or danaparoid. Fondaparinux may also be considered but is not licenced for this indication.
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Prince et al. (2018) conducted a review in Heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia (HIT). Argatroban, danaparoid, or fondaparinux (with cessation of heparin) was evaluated on Mortality from thrombosis. Heparin-induced thrombocytopaenia causes severe hypercoagulability and thrombosis with a 5%-10% mortality rate, requiring heparin cessation and alternative anticoagulation.
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