[Thrombopenia induced by heparin: treatment with Org 10172. Tolerability and efficacy]

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia is a relatively common and potentially serious adverse complication of heparin treatment. After heparin withdrawal initiation of an alternative anticoagulant is often indicated. Org 10172 or Orgaran is a mixture of several non-heparin low molecular weight glycosaminoglycans with proven antithrombotic efficacy. Unlike low molecular weight heparins, Org 10172 has a low cross reaction rate (about 10%) with the heparin-dependent antibody.

We present nine patients with heparin induced thrombocytopenia. Org 10172 was prescribed to treat or to prevent a thromboembolic event.

Seven patients required further parenteral anticoagulant at diagnosis of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Org 10172 was given at prophylactic doses for three patients with a high thrombosis risk and at therapeutic doses for four patients who presented either a venous or an arterial thrombosis related to thrombocytopenia. Two patients presented heparin-induced thrombocytopenia four to six years earlier and needed a parenteral anticoagulation treatment in a post-operative period.

For the nine patients, Org 10172 was a safe and effective antithrombotic treatment. However, strict monotoring of the platelet count is absolutely mandatory during Org 10172 therapy.