Catastrophic rapid onset heparin-induced thrombocytopenia - Victim of our own success

Abstract

Heparin is integral to the treatment of acute coronary syndromes, deep vein thrombosis and its prophylaxis. An undesirable result of recurrent heparin use is rapid onset heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) within hours of exposure.This catastrophic condition is frequently diagnosed too late for therapy to be effective.We describe a case of fatal rapid onset HIT, analyze current evidence to diagnose this condition and propose a way so that it can be prevented.