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Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia in the ICU: An Overview

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Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2011

Part of the book series: Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2011 ((AUICEM,volume 1))

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Abstract

Heparin, a negatively charged glycosaminoglycan (3000–30,000 Da), is an anticoagulant released by mast cells and basophils during the normal clotting process [1]. Heparin is widely used for the treatment and prophylaxis of thromboembolic diseases in medical and surgical patients [1]. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is one of the most serious adverse events associated with this drug. HIT is an immune-mediated, prothrombotic complication that occurs with unfractionated heparin (UFH) and to a lesser extent with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) [2]. The fundamental paradox of HIT results from a platelet-activating immune response triggered by the interaction of heparin with a specific platelet protein, platelet factor 4 (PF4) [3].

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anesthesiology and Intensive Care, Friedrich-Schiller-University, Erlanger Allee 103, 07743, Jena, Germany

    Y. Sakr

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Intensive Care, Erasme Hospital, Université libre de Bruxelles, Route de Lennik 808, B-1070, Brussels, Belgium

    Jean-Louis Vincent (Head) (Head)

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Sakr, Y. (2011). Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia in the ICU: An Overview. In: Vincent, JL. (eds) Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2011. Annual Update in Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine 2011, vol 1. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-18081-1_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-18081-1_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-18080-4

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