Analysis of big data for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: valuable information but also some doubts

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a well-known complication of heparin treatment, but is now thought to be rare apart from in some patient subgroups, such as those who have undergone cardiac surgery and received large doses of unfractionated heparin. However, the incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in patients treated in hospital is not well defined, and varies widely across different patient populations. 1 Greinacher A Clinical practice. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. N Engl J Med. 2015; 373: 252-261 Crossref PubMed Scopus (215) Google Scholar The use of low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) and of direct oral anticoagulants in the prevention and treatment of venous thromboembolism might have contributed to the perception among many health-care practitioners that heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is no longer a major concern in clinical practice. Disease burden, complication rates, and health-care costs of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in the USA: a population-based studyComplication rates for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia remain high and more effective preventive and treatment interventions are needed. Full-Text PDF