Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia.
Heparin is an anticoagulant agent which inhibits Thrombin and it does this by activating "antithrombin III", which inhibits conversion of fibrinogen to Fibrin.
Heparin is also an immediate anticoagulant with a short half life, therefor we can use it in conditions such as:
- Pulmonary embolism
- Stroke
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Safe to use in Pregnancy (because heparin does not cross the placenta).
Heparin side effects:
- Bleeding
- Osteoporosis (Give enoxaparin to patients who are already suffering from osteoporosis)
- Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)
Mechanism of Action:
If someone receiving heparin develops a new or a worsening thrombosis or if their platelet count falls we can assume Heparin induced thrombocytopenia.
Sometimes heparin acts as a hapten by biding to Platelet factor 4 (PF4) which will causes the immune system to start producing antibodies (mostly IgG class) which will cause a complex with heparin+PF4.
This complex formation will result in platelet activation which causes formation of blood cloths leading to decrease platelet counts and eventually thrombocytopenia.
So if we have pt who suffers from HIT, he or she will be in a hypercoagulable state and at the same time they will have thrombocytopenia.
Treatment for HIT:
- Take them off of Heparin
- Lepirodin
- Bivalirudin
- Argatroban
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