HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA IN PATIE NTS TREATED WITH UNFRACTIONATED HEPARIN - A PROSPECTIVE CLINICAL-TRIAL OF THE INCIDENCE IN PATIENTS WITH INTERNAL DISEASES IN-HOSPITAL

Aim: To investigate the influence of unfractionated heparin on heparin -induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) type II. Patients and method: In 162 p atients with internal diseases treated therapeutically or prophylactic ally with unfractionated heparin (heparin sodium, heparin calcium), we carried out a prospective study to determine the incidence of HIT typ e I and II. 55.6% of patients were female (n = 90) with an average age of 76.5 years (range: 25 to 96 years) and 44.4% male (n=72) with an a verage age of 67.5 years (range: 17 to 93 years). A platelet count was taken regularly before the start of heparin treatment, on the first d ay of treatment and then every second day from day 5 to 20. Whenever H IT II was suspected, an HIPA test was performed. Results: Type I HIT o ccurred in 10%, type II in 3% of the cases. Two of the 5 patients with type II developed severe thrombotic complications. Conclusion: In vie w of the high incidence of HIT, regular platelet counts should always be carried out in patients receiving heparin treatment.