Management strategies for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in heart-transplant candidates: Case report and review of the literature

Management of anticoagulation in patients with heparin-induced thrombocytop enia (HIT) undergoing surgery requiring cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), such as cardiac transplantation, represents a difficult clinical problem and no clear management strategy exists. The cases of 2 patients with HIT who unde rwent cardiac transplantation using differing anticoagulation strategies ar e presented with a discussion of potential advantages and pitfalls of each approach used.