American Society of Hirudotherapy

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Review published in Ann Biol Clin (Paris) (2000)

Last Updated: June 18, 2026Reviewed by: ASH Editorial Board
Research article — evidence reviewArticle reference
Evidence: Narrative reviewDrug DevelopmentClinical LiteratureDepasse F, Samama MM · Annales de biologie clinique, 2000

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a threatening complication of heparin treatment. The physio-pathological mechanism is the production of antibodies, the most frequent target of which is the complex heparin-platelet factor 4. These antibodies may activate the coagulation and lead to venous or arterial thromboembolic manifestations. Clinical features as well as functional and immunological tests are used for the diagnosis. The treatment consists in discontinuing heparin administration and in setting up an alternative treatment for which two drugs are indicated in France: Orgaran and Refludan.

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

Publication typeJournal ArticleReview
Indexed MeSH termsAntibody FormationAnticoagulantsChondroitin SulfatesDermatan SulfateHeparinHeparan SulfateHirudin TherapyHirudinsHumansRecombinant ProteinsThrombocytopenia

Summary

This review of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia covers its pathophysiology, in which antibodies to the heparin-platelet factor 4 complex may activate coagulation, and recommends discontinuing heparin and starting an alternative treatment, for which two drugs, Orgaran and Refludan, are indicated in France.

Why This Matters for Hirudotherapy

This review discusses heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) as a complication of heparin treatment, caused by antibodies against the heparin–platelet factor 4 complex that can activate coagulation and lead to thromboembolic events. The abstract states that treatment consists of discontinuing heparin and initiating alternative therapy, naming Orgaran and Refludan as two drugs indicated for this purpose in France. The abstract identifies Refludan only by brand name and provides no information about its relationship to hirudin, leeches, or the leech secretome, so any hirudotherapy connection cannot be established from the abstract alone. The article's scope is a general review of HIT pathophysiology and management with only brief mention of named alternative agents and no experimental data or detail specific to Refludan. Lepirudin is a recombinant derivative of hirudin, the anticoagulant of the medicinal leech (Greinacher, 2004); this paper studies the drug, not leech therapy.

Citation

Reference (Vancouver style)

Depasse F, Samama MM. [Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia]. Ann Biol Clin (Paris). 2000;58(3):317-326. PMID: 10846236

Bibliographic details (authors, volume, pages, DOI) are taken from the PubMed record.

PubMed

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