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| What is Heparin Induced
Thrombocytopenia (HIT)? |
Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT), sometimes called White Clot
Disorder, Heparin Allergy or HIT II, is a serious antibody mediated
reaction resulting from irreversible aggregation of platelets. HIT
develops from a patient’s reaction to heparin, resulting in the
accumulation of “heparin antibodies” which can progress to HIT.
HIT attacks platelets in the blood,
and sometimes the lining of the blood vessels. HIT produces the
opposite result from that for which the heparin is being used; it
causes rather than prevents clotting. HIT in its most dangerous form
is a severe clotting of the platelets which form white clots (from
which the term “white clot disorder” derived). The most severe
form of HIT is known as Heparin Induced Thrombocytopenia Thrombosis
Syndrome or “HITTS.”
The consequences of HIT can be
devastating, with internal clotting that can lead to heart attack,
limb amputations, stroke, and death. Other serious
consequences of HIT include pulmonary embolism, deep vein thrombosis
(“DVT”), thromboembolism (blood clots) skin lesions at injection
sites, limb ischemia, swelling, gangrene, necrotic adrenal glands,
organ failure, acute inflammatory responses, generalized poor
outcomes, extended hospitalizations, and other complications.
Heparin is given as a blood thinner
to treat or prevent clotting complications. Heparin was first
discovered in 1918 and by the late 1950s it had become the
anti-coagulant of choice. Today, heparin is one of the most commonly
used drugs in the United States, administered to approximately 12
million patients each year in a wide variety of clinical and
surgical settings.
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HEPARINFACTS.COM was created to help
bring awareness to the significant risks of an adverse drug reaction
known as heparin induced thrombocytopenia ("HIT"). HIT is an
antibody-mediated reaction of the circulatory system that can result
in clotting complications, amputations, serious injuries and death.
While the drug heparin has also been associated with other adverse
reactions such as hemorrhage and elevated liver enzymes, HEPARINFACTS.COM is limited to information relating to HIT.
HEPARINFACTS.COM is published by the
law firms of Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer P.A., Lewis and
Associates and Tortoreti, Tomes & Callahan, P.C.
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Speak to an Attorney with HIT case Experience
(877) - 2HEPARIN
(877)243-7274
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