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The incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenias

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International Journal of Angiology

Abstract

The incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) types I and II was investigated retrospectively in 500 heparin-treated patients. In our department of internal medicine 500 patients were treated with unfractionated, middle- or low-molecular heparin (s.c. or i.v.) during 1995 as inpatients. Excluded were patients with other known causes of thrombocytopenia. There were 306 females (61%), mean age 76 years (17–98 years) and 194 males (39%), mean age 73 years (24–93 years). The incidence of HI type I was 4.4% and of HIT type II 0.6% with a positive heparin-induced-platelet-activation test (HIPA test). In addition, HIT type II was suspected in another 1.4% of cases with negative or missing HIPA test. Because of our results on the incidence of HIT type I and type II a close control of thrombocyte count during heparin therapy is necessary. In the case of HIT type II disease, heparin therapy must be stopped immediately.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Internal Medicine, Franziskus-Krankenhaus, Budapesterstr. 15-19, 10787, Berlin, Germany

    Karen Kahl M.D. &  Heinz Heidrich M.D. (F.I.C.A.)

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  1. Karen Kahl M.D.
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  2. Heinz Heidrich M.D.
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Kahl, K., Heidrich, H. The incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenias. International Journal of Angiology 7, 255–257 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01617406

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