Abstract | PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in hospitalized patients, due to life and limb-threatening thrombosis. Prompt recognition, laboratory testing, and alternate anticoagulation are essential. At present, HIT remains an underdiagnosed and undertreated condition. This review will discuss the relative merits of the approved treatment options, as well as address additional anticoagulants that show promise for the future. RECENT FINDINGS: SUMMARY: First-line therapies for HIT are argatroban or lepirudin. Patient-specific factors determine which drug should be used, and taking advantage of their differences allows effective anticoagulation with minimal risk of bleeding. Bivalirudin and fondaparinux require further study before they can be recommended. Once proven well tolerated and effective for treating thrombosis, these new oral anticoagulants should next be studied for treating HIT.
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Authors | Karen M Hook, Charles S Abrams |
Journal | Current opinion in hematology
(Curr Opin Hematol)
Vol. 17
Issue 5
Pg. 424-31
(Sep 2010)
ISSN: 1531-7048 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 20601872
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
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Chemical References |
- Anticoagulants
- Fibrinolytic Agents
- Hirudins
- Peptide Fragments
- Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
- Polysaccharides
- Recombinant Proteins
- Heparin
- Fondaparinux
- bivalirudin
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Topics |
- Anticoagulants
- Fibrinolytic Agents
(adverse effects)
- Fondaparinux
- Heparin
(adverse effects)
- Hirudins
- Humans
- Peptide Fragments
(therapeutic use)
- Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Polysaccharides
(therapeutic use)
- Recombinant Proteins
(therapeutic use)
- Thrombocytopenia
(chemically induced, drug therapy)
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