Investigations

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia is a severe and sometimes fatal Heparin side effect. Heparin is a blood thinner. Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia occurs when Heparin causes excessive bleeding. Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia is caused when a patient’s platelet level drops below 150,000. Platelets are cells that clot the blood and a normal platelet count is between 150,000 and 400,000. Once the platelet count drops below 150,000, excessive bleeding can occur. 

When Heparin is injected into the body, it binds to a protein found in platelets called platelet factor 4 (PF4). This forms an antigenic complex that many human bodies will recognize as a foreign substance. This then creates P4-heparin autoantibodies that target and destroy platelets causing Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia.

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia usually occurs if the patient has been given Heparin for five or more days. If the patient has previously used Heparin then the Thrombocytopenia may develop sooner.  Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia usually starts to develop four to fourteen days after a patient is given Heparin. A person can develop Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia from even a small dosage of Heparin. It also does not matter if the patient received the Heparin through an injection or intravenously.

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis

Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia can also cause thrombosis. Thrombosis is a blood clot inside a blood vessel or an organ. This occurs when Heparin leaves the body and blood clotting microparticles are released. When the platelets become active and combine with the microparticles, thrombosis occurs. Thrombosis causes clots in veins and arteries, and destroys skin tissue. Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia, together with thrombosis, creates a significant risk of death from bleeding or blood clots. Studies show that 30% of those who sufferer from Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia develop thrombosis. The data further shows that from those patients suffering from thrombosis, 20% of them form blood clots that cause the loss of a limb.

Treating Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia

It is difficult to cure Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia and the damage may be irreversible. To treat Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia, doctors advise to first stop injecting Heparin blood thinners. Then, in order to avoid the platelets from multiplying and causing thrombosis, a doctor should administer a non-Heparin blood thinner.

If you or a loved one suffer from Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia or Thrombosis, contact us to learn more about your legal rights.