High-dose intravenous immunoglobulin for the treatment and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a review.

This article reviews all available literature describing the use of high-dose intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) as an adjunct treatment to anticoagulation in HIT patients. IVIG is usually effective in interrupting platelet activation by aHIT antibodies, manifesting as a rapid platelet count increase after starting IVIG (usual dose, 1g/kg × 2 days). Experience to date suggests IVIG de-escalates HIT and likely reduces thrombotic risk. A new case of aHIT successfully treated with IVIG is presented. Use of IVIG to prevent acute HIT with planned heparin reexposure in antibody-positive patients is also discussed. Expert opinion: High-dose IVIG appears to rapidly inhibit HIT antibody-induced platelet activation and has the potential to become an important treatment adjunct for HIT, particularly in patients with aHIT. PMID: 31274032 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
Source: Expert Review of Hematology - Category: Hematology Tags: Expert Rev Hematol Source Type: research