HIGH-DOSE INTRAVENOUS GAMMA-GLOBULINS FOR HEPARIN-INDUCED THROMBOCYTOPENIA - A PROMPT RESPONSE

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a common drug induced autoim mune condition. The thrombocytopenia is caused in most cases by an ant ibody directed against the complex PF4/heparin. Recently, we have indu ced an experimental model of HIT by idiotypic manipulation. To confirm further the idiotypic involvement of HIT, we have treated successfull y three patients with HIT with high-dose intravenous gamma-globulin (I VIG). Our three patients join other two cases previously reported who were treated with IVIG and point to the efficacy of this type of thera py with minimal side effects. IVIG suppression of the anti-PF4/heparin autoantibody may support the idiotypic etiology of HIT.