Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: An update for the COVID-19 era.

Abstract

The increased use of heparin during the current COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the risk of a rare but potentially serious complicationof heparin therapy, viz. heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). This is a short review on the pharmacology of heparin and itsderivatives, and the pathophysiology of HIT. Guidance on laboratory testing for and clinical management of HIT is presented in accordancewith international guidelines. There are important similarities and differences between HIT and the new entity of vaccine-induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia, also known as thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome, which clinicians need to be aware of.