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Heparin

Starting treatment
Indications
Dosing and monitoring
Complications
Dosing and monitoring

Check the platelet count after 5 days. If it is < 150  x 109/l, then repeat test. If true, treat for heparin-induced thrombocytopenia a

Why?

  • Around 3% of patients on heparin for 5 days or more develop heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. a
  • Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia increases the risk of venous thromboembolism. a

Expiry date: May 2003
Levels of Evidence used in grading these guides

With thanks to Drs. David Keeling, John Reynolds, David Sackett, Sharon Straus and Alan Townsend 
 for use of their anticoagulation guide on which this one is based.

Author   CM   Ball
Reviewer   A   Gallus
CAT Writer   CM   Ball