American Society of Hirudotherapy

Cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.

Review published in The Annals of thoracic surgery (2000)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Narrative reviewClinical TrialsDrug DevelopmentFollis et al. · The Annals of thoracic surgery, 2000

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT) is an immunomediated disorder induced by the administration of heparin for therapeutic purposes. The presence of this condition in patients requiring full heparinization for cardiopulmonary bypass constitutes a formidable challenge for the cardiac surgeon. In this review, the clinical and experimental experience described in the literature are discussed in the perspective of the normal coagulation and the pathophysiology of HITT and in the light of a variety of old and new alternative anticoagulants.

Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.

Publication typeJournal ArticleReview
Indexed MeSH termsAnticoagulantsBlood Coagulation TestsCardiopulmonary BypassHeparinHumansThrombocytopeniaThrombosis

Summary

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT) is an immunomediated disorder induced by the administration of heparin for therapeutic purposes. The presence of this condition in patients requiring full heparinization for cardiopulmonary bypass constitutes a formidable challenge for the cardiac surgeon.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This review discusses the clinical challenge of performing cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis (HITT), an immunomediated disorder caused by heparin administration. The authors review clinical and experimental experience with various old and new alternative anticoagulants, framed within the context of normal coagulation physiology and HITT pathophysiology. The abstract does not mention leeches, hirudin, leech-derived molecules, or hirudotherapy at any point. Consequently, the article has no direct connection to the American Society of Hirudotherapy's domain based on the abstract, and any relevance would be limited to general background on anticoagulation management that does not specifically involve leech-based therapies.

Citation

Cardiopulmonary bypass in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.

Follis et al. · The Annals of thoracic surgery, 2000

DOI

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