[Heparin as the cause of severe thrombosis]

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia with thrombosis occurs in one out of about 2,000 patients on heparin treatment for five days. The new thrombosis is often arterial and may carry a grave prognosis. If thrombocytopenia develops during heparin treatment, heparin must be discontinued immediately. Alternative antihrombotic medication should be considered. Organs is probably the best alternative. Vascular surgery can be considered. In order to reduce the risk of experiencing this serious complication, oral anticoagulation should be initiated rapidly after heparin therapy is started. Compared with standard heparin, low molecular weight heparin probably involves less risk of the patient developing thrombocytopenia and thrombosis.