Plasmapheresis : a therapeutic option in the management of heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis

• Published in: American journal of clinical pathology Vol. 96; no. 3; pp. 394 - 397
• Main Authors: BRADY, J, RICCIO, J. A, YUMEN, O. H, MAKARY, A. Z, GREENWOOD, S. M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL American Society of Clinical Pathologists 01.09.1991
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Hematologic and hematopoietic diseases; Heparin - adverse effects; Humans; In Vitro Techniques; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Plasmapheresis; Platelet Aggregation; Thrombocytopenia - chemically induced; Thrombocytopenia - complications; Thrombocytopenia - therapy; Thrombosis - complications; Case study; Human; Thrombocythemia; Treatment; Hemopathy; Heparin; Thrombosis; Plasmapheresis
• DOI: 10.1093/ajcp/96.3.394
• ISSN: 0002-9173

Heparin-associated thrombocytopenia with thrombosis (HATT) is an uncommon syndrome that is estimated to occur in 1-5% of patients with heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Early diagnosis requires careful clinical surveillance, and the management of these patients can be complex. Cessation of heparin therapy and substitution or addition of oral anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, dextrans, and prostacyclin analogues have been advocated. The authors are aware of only two case reports in the literature that examine the use of plasmapheresis as a therapeutic alternative. The authors report a case of a 53-year-old white man who developed HATT after a single protamine-reversed exposure to heparin. Controlled platelet aggregation studies performed before and after apheresis sessions documented a dramatic response and rapid normalization of platelet number and function in the patient. The authors conclude that plasmapheresis could be a valuable adjunct in the successful management of patients with HATT. When done in conjunction with platelet aggregation studies, an objective measurement of therapeutic efficacy can be achieved.