Is heparin contraindicated in thrombocytopenia?

Is heparin contraindicated in thrombocytopenia?

Contraindications and precautions Absolute contraindications to heparin include known hypersensitivity, past or present heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and active bleeding. Caution is required when prescribing heparin to patients with conditions that may increase the risk of bleeding (see box).

Is heparin used to treat thrombocytopenia?

Patients receive blood thinners (anticoagulants) to treat or prevent blood clots. The most commonly used intravenous anticoagulant is heparin. This Cardiology Patient Page focuses on heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), a complication of heparin therapy.

What is the treatment for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia?

A direct thrombin inhibitor, such as lepirudin, danaparoid or argatroban, is considered the agent of choice for treatment of HIT. Warfarin should not be used until the platelet count has recovered.

What is heparin-induced thrombocytopenia type 2?

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (Type II) is a rare and dangerous condition which occurs in 1% to 3% of patients receiving heparin. Thrombocytopenia occurs 5 to 10 days after heparin therapy decreasing the platelet counts by 30 to 50%.

How do you reverse thrombocytopenia?

Treatment

  1. Blood or platelet transfusions. If your platelet level becomes too low, your doctor can replace lost blood with transfusions of packed red blood cells or platelets.
  2. Medications.
  3. Surgery.
  4. Plasma exchange.

What is the pathophysiology of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia?

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), even rare, is a life-threatening, immune-mediated complication of heparin exposure. It is considered the most severe non-bleeding adverse reaction of heparin treatment and one of the most important adverse drug reactions. The pathophysiological basis of HIT re …

How is heparin thrombocytopenia diagnosed?

Diagnosis The diagnosis of HIT remains a clinical one, supported by confirmatory laboratory testing. The criteria for diagnosis of HIT include: normal platelet count before the commencement of heparin thrombocytopenia defined as a drop in platelet count by 30% to <100×109/l or a drop of >50% from the patient’s baseline platelet count

Which pentasaccharides are less likely to induce heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia?

Fondaparinux, a synthetic pentasaccharide (smaller than LMWH) that is structurally related to the anti‐thrombin binding site of heparin, is expected to be less likely to induce HIT.

What is normal platelet count before the commencement of heparin thrombocytopenia?

normal platelet count before the commencement of heparin thrombocytopenia defined as a drop in platelet count by 30% to <100×109/l or a drop of >50% from the patient’s baseline platelet count