Anticoagulation and Iloprost for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: a case report

In patients who receive heparin for anticoagulation, there can be a mild, transient thrombocytopenia which is usually devoid of complications. However, 6% of these patients experience serious heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), which can result in coagulation problems or death. Iloprost, a recently developed drug, given in conjunction with heparin, can be used to manage the patient with HIT. Two cases reported are of patients diagnosed with HIT and their management with Iloprost.