Clinical Analysis of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia due to Therapeutic Plasmapheresis With Heparin Anticoagulation

OBJECTIVE: We investigated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) following therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with heparin anticoagulation in patients with neurological autoimmune diseases. METHODS: Clinical data were prospectively collected from 158 patients (79 males, 79 females; mean age 37.49 ± 16.95 years) with neurological autoimmune diseases who underwent TPE in the neuro-intensive care unit between January 2016 and June 2024. For patients with continuous platelet decline after TPE, the 4Ts score was determined, and platelet factor 4 (PF4) antibody tests were performed. Their platelet counts, clinical complications (thrombosis and bleeding), treatment plans, outcomes, and prognoses before and after TPE were analyzed. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-nine patients experienced at least one significant decrease in platelet count during TPE (average decrease 36.75 ± 19.63%), and the average 4Ts score was 3.55 ± 1.87 points. PF4 antibody testing was conducted on 23 patients with continuous platelet decline and 4Ts scores ≥ 4. Four PF4-positive patients were diagnosed with type II HIT and developed deep vein thrombosis. After heparin withdrawal, the platelet count gradually normalized after intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), nonheparin TPE, or argatroban/fondaparinux anticoagulant therapy (mean recovery time 8.17 ± 3.54 days). The platelet counts spontaneously recovered for the remaining 116 patients (mean recovery time 3.88 ± 2.66 days). CONCLUSION: Platelet counts should be dynamically monitored throughout TPE with heparin anticoagulation. Patients with continually decreasing platelet counts and an intermediate to high 4Ts score should be monitored for HIT. Heparin should be discontinued immediately for patients with type II HIT, and nonheparin anticoagulants, IVIG, or nonheparin TPE may be administered.

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

We investigated the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) following therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with heparin anticoagulation in patients with neurological autoimmune diseases.

Leech-derived molecules this paper discusses, each with a full profile in the ASH compound registry:

Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой

More peer-reviewed studies in Клинические исследования.

• Leech Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis — The Landmark RCT — Michalsen et al. (2003)
• Leech-Assisted Flap Salvage — Systematic Review of 277 Cases — Whitaker et al. (2012)
• Effects of hirudotherapy on liver functions, lipid profile, and insulin sensitivity in rats with metabolic syndrome — Bilden A et al. (2026)
• HIRUDOTHERAPY IN PRESBYACUZIS PRAECOX IN CLEAN-UP WORKERS AFTER THE CHORNOBYL ACCIDENT DURING THE POST-CATASTROPHE YEARS — Zabolotnyi D, Mishchanchuk N (2019)
• Wound healing potential of bark paste of Pongamia pinnata along with hirudotherapy: A case report — Balasooriya D, Karunarathna C, Uluwaduge I (2021)
• AIF-1 and RNASET2 Play Complementary Roles in the Innate Immune Response of Medicinal Leech — Baranzini N et al. (2019)
• Study on the effect of medicinal leech therapy (Hirudo medicinalis) on full-thickness excisional wound healing in the animal model — Zakian A et al. (2022)
• [Hirudo medicinalis-leech applications in plastic and reconstructive microsurgery--a literature review] — Knobloch K et al. (2007)
• The duration of rest and feeding greatly affects the re-breeding of ectoparasites: Hirudo verbana, Hirudo medicinalis and Hirudo orientalis — Aminov R, Frolov A, Aminova A (2022)
• Recombinant hirudin in clinical practice: focus on lepirudin — Greinacher A, Lubenow N (2001)

Browse all ASH-analysed research →