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Thromb Haemost 1998; 79(01): 1-7
DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1614206
Review Article
Schattauer GmbH

Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia: Towards Consensus

Theodore E. Warkentin
1   Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hamilton Health Sciences Corporation, Hamilton General Campus, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
,
Beng H. Chong
2   Haematology Department, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia
,
Andreas Greinacher
3   Institut für Immunologie und Transfusionsmedizin, Ernst-Moritz-Arndt-University, Greifswald, Germany
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received 29 July 1997

Accepted 13 August 1997

Publication Date:
08 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a drug-induced, immunoglobulin-mediated thrombocytopenic disorder that is important for at least three reasons. First, it is a relatively common drug-induced immunohematologic adverse reaction. Second, it is frequently complicated by life- and limb-threatening thrombotic complications. And third, there remains uncertainty about the optimal treatment approach for these patients. Recently, there has emerged increasing consensus on such important issues as the frequency, pathogenesis, and diagnostic testing, which we will summarize here. Further, a greater appreciation of the activation of the coagulation pathways in this syndrome indicate a rationale to treatment approaches that emphasize thrombin inhibition (eg. danaparoid sodium; hirudin and its analogues).

 

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