Don’t miss HIT (heparin induced thrombocytopenia)

• Published in: Burns Vol. 30; no. 1; pp. 88 - 90
• Main Authors: Horner, B.M, Myers, S.R
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01-02-2004
• Subjects: Acute Kidney Injury - etiology; Acute Kidney Injury - therapy; Anticoagulants - adverse effects; Burn; Burns - complications; Disseminated intravascular coagulation; Haemofiltration; Hemofiltration; Heparin - adverse effects; Heparin induced thrombocytopenia; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Thrombocytopenia - chemically induced; Thrombocytopenia - diagnosis; Burn; Disseminated intravascular coagulation; Haemofiltration; Heparin induced thrombocytopenia
• ISSN: 0305-4179; 1879-1409
• DOI: 10.1016/j.burns.2003.09.010

Thrombocytopenia following a burn injury can cause serious complications. There are several possible causes including the burn itself, drugs, sepsis and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). A case report of a patient who developed heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) whilst on haemofiltration for acute renal failure is presented. The aetiology of thrombocytopenia in a burns patient and its management is discussed. The key to effective treatment of thrombocytopenia is identification of the cause. HIT is an important diagnosis to include in the differential.