Lepirudin as a safe alternative for effective anticoagulation in patients with known heparin-induced thrombocytopenia undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Case reports

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a well-documented complication of heparin anticoagulation therapy. Heparin's frequent use in the cardiovascu lar population poses a significant challenge for managing patients with HIT in need of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). We describe four pati ents with HIT who successfully underwent PCI without thrombotic or hemorrha gic complications while on lepirudin. 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.