Pasquale Esposito, Carmelo Libetta, Ilaria Borettaz, Marisa Barone, Michele Canevari, Claudia Martinelli, Francesca Montagna, Salvatore Romeo, Elisa Margiotta, Marta Calatroni, Edoardo La Porta, Antonio Dal Canton
Heparin has remained the most commonly used anticoagulant in hemodialysis patients (HD). Its use is usually safe but, in some cases, important adverse effects can occur. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an immuno-mediated condition due to the formation of PF4/heparin/IgG complex leading to the activation of platelets and coagulative cascade. The consequent prothrombotic hypercoagulable state may cause venous or arterial thrombosis, skin gangrene and acute platelet activation syndrome. Clinical and laboratory findings may be suggestive for HIT, but formal diagnosis requires the demonstration of the presence of circulating antibodies...
May 2014: Giornale Italiano di Nefrologia: Organo Ufficiale Della Società Italiana di Nefrologia