Heparin induced thrombocytopenia has remained the major complication of therapy or prophylaxis with heparin. Although low molecular weight heparins seem to confer much lesser chance to induce thrombocytopenia, the danger is still considerable, and the fatal outcome is not rare. A lot of new data have been published about the origin, binding, physicochemical properties of the antibodies, the responsive platelet membrane receptors, and laboratory diagnosis in particular, however, many issues are still unresolved. The anticoagulant treatment of cases, in which heparin induced thrombocytopenia in associated with progressive, frequently arterial thrombosis still needs great skills, experience and the use of new generation antithrombotic agents. This review summarizes briefly the internationally accepted standard diagnostic and therapeutic protocols with heparin induced thrombocytopenia.
Heparin Humans