Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis
Review published in Am J Orthop (2007)
Abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) and heparin induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT) ar rare complications associated with use of unfractionate heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) HIT is a benign clinical condition characterized by a mil drop in platelet count with no clinical significance. HIT is an immune-mediated reaction associated with a wide spread "hypercoagulable" state resulting in arterial an venous thrombosis. There is a higher incidence of HIT with UFH use than with LMWH use. Orthopedic surger patients are at higher risk for developing HITT than are patients who receive prophylactic heparin for cardiovascular surgery or medical reasons. Therapy for patients suspected of having HITT should begin with immedi ate discontinuation of heparin in any form followed by pharmacologic inhibition with thrombin (e.g., recombinant hirudin [lepirudin], argatroban, danaparoid sodium).
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
HIT/HITT review focused on orthopedic surgery patients identifying higher risk than cardiovascular patients with recommendation for lepirudin, argatroban or danaparoid alternative anticoagulation.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
This review examines heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HITT), describing it as an immune-mediated hypercoagulable state associated with arterial and venous thrombosis, with higher incidence from unfractionated heparin and elevated risk in orthopedic surgery patients. The abstract states that therapy requires immediate heparin discontinuation followed by pharmacologic thrombin inhibition, explicitly listing recombinant hirudin (lepirudin) alongside argatroban and danaparoid sodium. This is relevant to ASH's domain because the abstract itself names recombinant hirudin (lepirudin) as a recognized alternative antithrombotic agent for HITT, placing a hirudin-based therapy within a defined clinical context. The honest caveat is that the abstract provides no depth on hirudin's pharmacology, efficacy, or outcomes relative to the other agents, does not discuss leeches, and offers no primary experimental data.
Citación
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.
Patel VP et al. · American journal of orthopedics, 2007
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 27, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026