Circulation. 2006;114:e355-e356
doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.632653
(Circulation. 2006;114:e355-e356.)
© 2006 American Heart Association, Inc.
Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
Steven A. Baroletti, PharmD;
Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD
From the Pharmacy Department and Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.
Correspondence to Samuel Z. Goldhaber, MD, Cardiovascular Division, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St, Boston, MA 02115. E-mail sgoldhaber{at}partners.org
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Introduction
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Patients receive blood thinners (anticoagulants) to treat or
prevent blood clots. The most commonly used intravenous anticoagulant
is heparin. This Cardiology Patient Page focuses on heparin-induced
thrombocytopenia (HIT), a complication of heparin therapy. This
complication of heparin is often confusing because in HIT, heparin
does the opposite of what it is supposed to do: It forms rather
than prevents new blood clots.
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What Is Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia?
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Ordinarily, heparin prevents clotting and does not affect the
platelets, components of the blood that help form blood clots.
Triggered by the immune system in response to heparin, HIT causes
a low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
Two distinct types of HIT can occur: nonimmune and immune-mediated. Nonimmune HIT, which occurs most frequently, is characterized by a mild decrease in the platelet count and is not harmful. The second type, immune-mediated HIT, occurs much less frequently but is dangerous. Immune-mediated HIT causes much lower platelet counts. Paradoxically, despite a very low platelet count, patients who suffer from HIT are at risk for major clotting problems.
After heparin is administered to a patient, an immune complex can form between heparin and a specific blood factor (platelet factor 4, or "PF4") that is released by platelets. The body views this "heparin-PF4" complex as a foreign substance. Therefore, an antibody is formed against the heparin-PF4 complex. The antibody binds to this complex and the platelets are destroyed.1
This disruption of platelets can lead to the formation of new blood clots in patients with immune-mediated HIT. The result can be a deep vein thrombosis (in the veins of the thigh or pelvis), pulmonary embolism, or even a heart attack or stroke. However, this does not seem to occur with the mild decrease in platelets associated with nonimmune HIT.
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When Does HIT Occur?
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Immune-mediated HIT usually occurs between 5 to 14 days after
first beginning heparin therapy. However, there are exceptions,
with HIT developing infrequently either early (after a recent
previous exposure to heparin) or late after heparin exposure.
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How Is HIT Diagnosed?
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HIT can often be diagnosed by measuring the platelet count and
PF4 antibody level in the blood. Symptoms of new blood clot
formation may suggest HIT.
Symptoms of deep vein thrombosis include pain or tenderness, sudden swelling, discoloration, visibly large veins, and skin that is warm to the touch. Dislodgement of clot from the deep leg veins and passage into the lungs (pulmonary embolism) may present as shortness of breath, a change in heart rate, sharp chest pain, dizziness, or feelings of anxiety and excessive sweating. Severe indicators of HIT are skin changes that present as bruising or blackening around the heparin injection site as well as the fingers, toes, and nipples that may progress to gangrene. The extremities are especially susceptible to the small clots that form because of HIT. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, call your doctor.
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How Is HIT Treated?
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The first step is to discontinue heparin on suspicion of HIT.
The next step is to treat HIT using an alternative type of anticoagulant.
Even though the platelet count is low, it is important to avoid
platelet transfusions, which can "add fuel to the fire."
Medications
Direct thrombin inhibitors (DTI) are a class of anticoagulant medications that do not cause HIT. These drugs are administered by continuous intravenous infusion. Three DTIs have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration: lepirudin, argatroban, and bivalirudin. You may also be treated with another class of injectable anticoagulant medication called fondaparinux instead of a DTI (Table). After several days, your blood will be tested to make sure that the platelet count has returned to normal. At that point, the oral blood thinner warfarin (commonly called by its trade name, Coumadin) may be prescribed in addition to the fondaparinux or DTI.
The DTI or fondaparinux is overlapped with warfarin for about 5 days, until a target value is achieved on a blood test (known as international normalized ratio, or INR) that measures the level of anticoagulation from warfarin. Your doctor or an anticoagulation clinic staff member will monitor your INR and warfarin dosing closely for as long as you need to continue the medication (usually at least 1 to 3 months). Warfarin use has been described previously in another Cardiology Patient Page.2
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What if I Need Anticoagulants in the Future?
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Although HIT is caused by a reaction to heparin that is similar
to other allergic reactions, it is not a true allergy. In contrast
to many allergies to other medications or foods, the allergy
to heparin is not long-lasting. The PF4 antibody that causes
HIT will usually disappear after approximately 3 months. Thereafter,
heparin may be considered for use if a new clot did not develop
from HIT and if the PF4 antibody test is negative.
If you have been told that you have HIT or an allergy to heparin, inform your doctor before taking any form of heparin. It is extremely helpful to write down when you were exposed to heparin and when HIT occurred. Helpful information for your healthcare provider is shown in the Figure.
Early identification of HIT and avoidance of inappropriate heparin therapy can help promote a safe and effective anticoagulation strategy.
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Acknowledgments
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We thank Suellen Breakey, RN, PhD, for her contribution to the
figure.
Disclosures
None.
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References
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- Warkentin TE. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: diagnosis and management. Circulation. 2004; 110: e454–e458.[CrossRef][Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
- Goldhaber SZ, Grasso-Correnti N. Treatment of blood clots. Circulation. 2002; 106: e138–e140.[CrossRef][Medline]
[Order article via Infotrieve]
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Introduction
What Is Heparin-Induced...