Pathogenesis of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

There are currently no effective substitutes for high intensity therapy with unfractionated heparin (UFH) for cardiovascular procedures based on its rapid onset of action, ease of monitoring and reversibility. The continued use of UFH in these and other settings requires vigilance for its most serious non-hemorrhagic complication, heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). HIT is an immune prothrombotic disorder caused by antibodies that recognize complexes between platelet factor 4 (PF4) and polyanions such as heparin (H).

Source: Translational Research - May 12, 2020 Category: Research Authors: Gowthami M. Arepally, Douglas B. Cines Source Type: research