THE IMPORTANCE OF HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBO CYTOPENIA TYPE-II IN SURGERY - REPORT OF 3 CASES

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a frequent type of drug indu ced thrombocytopenia. The clinically benign type I has to be distingui shed from the lifethreatening type II due to the risk of thromboemboli c complications. Three cases of type II HIT with acute thrombosis of t he pelvic and lower extremity arteries and successful surgical treatme nt are reported. The majority of cases of an imminent type II HIT can be recognized in time by monitoring platelet count. The laboratory tes ts relevant to diagnosis are discussed. An immediate stop of the hepar in therapy represents the causal treatment of type II HIT. As an alter native, anticoagulants may be used.