Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia complicating children after the Fontan procedure: Single-center experience and review of the literature.

Abstract

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a life-threatening complication of heparin therapy. The risk for HIT correlates with the cumulative dosage of heparin exposure. In Fontan patients, recurrent systemic anticoagulation, traditionally with heparin, is used to alleviate the thrombotic complications that may occur postoperatively when the venous pressure rises and the systemic venous flow into the pulmonary arteries becomes sluggish, putting them at increased risk. As a pressure gradient-dependent circulation, elevation in systemic venous pressure, most often by venous thrombosis, contributes to circuit failure. Therefore, when HIT complicates patients after the Fontan procedure, it is associated with a high thrombotic morbidity and mortality; thus, a high index of suspicion is mandatory, based on the clinical signs of HIT. It is crucial to intervene early with alternative anticoagulants when HIT is suspected as this step may improve outcome in these patients.

• Authors: Uri Pollak, David Mishaly, Gili Kenet, Amir Vardi
• Journal: Congenital heart disease (Congenit Heart Dis) Vol. 13 Issue 1 Pg. 16-25 (Jan 2018) ISSN: 1747-0803 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 29181882 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)
• Copyright: © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Chemical References

• Anticoagulants
• Heparin

Topics

• Anticoagulants (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Child
• Fontan Procedure
• Heart Defects, Congenital (surgery)
• Heparin (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Postoperative Complications
• Thrombocytopenia (chemically induced)
• Thrombosis (prevention & control)