Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia causes

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor-In-Chief: Cafer Zorkun, M.D., Ph.D. [2], Aric C. Hall, M.D., [3] Shyam Patel [4]

Overview

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is caused by a variety of factors. It is typically caused by unfractionated heparin (moreso than low-molecular weight heparin). Females are more likely to develop HIT. Patients undergoing cardiac surgery are more likely to develop HIT.

Causes

HIT is always caused by exogenous heparin or heparinoid exposure.
Duration of heparin treatment: long duration, up to 2 weeks is associated with the greatest risk.^[1]
The type of heparin involved: unfractionated heparin (UFH) puts patients at greater risk of HIT than low molecular weight heparin LMWH.^[1]

Reference

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 Lee GM, Arepally GM (2013). “Diagnosis and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia”. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 27 (3): 541–63. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2013.02.001. PMC 3668315. PMID 23714311.

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[pmid23714311-1] 1.0 ^1.1 Lee GM, Arepally GM (2013). “Diagnosis and management of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia”. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 27 (3): 541–63. doi:10.1016/j.hoc.2013.02.001. PMC 3668315. PMID 23714311.

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Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia causes

Overview

Causes

Reference

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