Treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in cardiovascular patients.
Research article published in Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy (2006)
Abstract
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an antibody-mediated syndrome associated with heparin exposure, a falling platelet count and a high risk of thrombosis. Cardiovascular patients are at increased risk of HIT due to wide use of heparin in this population. Should HIT be suspected, heparin must be avoided in most situations, and anticoagulation with an alternative anticoagulant should be instituted. Preferred agents include the direct thrombin inhibitors argatroban and lepirudin, whilst bivalirudin or desirudin (other direct thrombin inhibitors) can be used in some situations. The indirect thrombin inhibitors, danaparoid and fondaparinux, can also be considered at times. These agents and their use in cardiac patients, including patients with acute coronary syndrome, percutaneous coronary interventions, acute ST elevation myocardial infarction or cardiac surgery, will be reviewed.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Resumen
Treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in cardiovascular patients.
Por qué esto importa para la hirudoterapia
Esta revisión analiza el manejo de la trombocitopenia inducida por heparina (TIH) en pacientes cardiovasculares, enfatizando la necesidad de cambiar de heparina a anticoagulantes alternativos. Destaca inhibidores directos de la trombina como la lepirudina y la desirudina, que son formas genéticamente modificadas de la hirudina originalmente aislada de las sanguijuelas. Esto demuestra la utilidad clínica de los anticoagulantes derivados de la sanguijuela en la atención cardiovascular especializada. Sin embargo, el artículo no aborda la hirudoterapia viva ni el secretoma natural de la sanguijuela, por lo que su relevancia para el ámbito de ASH es estrictamente indirecta y se centra en aplicaciones de biología sintética.
Citación
Treatment of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in cardiovascular patients.
Matthai · Expert opinion on pharmacotherapy, 2006
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Añadido a la biblioteca ASH: May 28, 2026 · Última actualización del sitio: June 18, 2026