Tackling the devastating effects of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with associated thrombosis is a potentially catastrophic complication of heparin therapy. Heart failure patients often require heparin therapy in the setting of multiple comorbidities, particularly renal insufficiency. The authors report a case of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with associated thrombosis in a patient with multisystem organ failure and discuss dosing regimens using lepirudin for the treatment of this disorder. The potential risk for excessive anticoagulation is highlighted and a conservative dosing strategy with frequent monitoring of this agent in the presence of renal failure is emphasized.