SUCCESSFUL TREATMENT OF HEPARIN-ASSOCIATED THROMBOCYTOPENIA AND THROMBOSIS USING HIRULOG

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia is a serious medical problem, espe cially when the patient requires continued anticoagulation. Hirulog is an immediate-acting intravenous anticoagulant that can be substituted for heparin. A new use of Hirulog in the treatment of life-threatenin g heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HATT) is presen ted. Two patients suffering from the HATT syndrome were successfully t reated with Hirulog to prevent further thrombosis. A third patient had developed heparin-associated thrombocytopenia after coronary artery b ypass surgery in the past and was subsequently treated with Hirulog du ring a peripheral angioplasty procedure. Hirulog was an effective and predictable anticoagulant for these patients was free from adverse eff ects.