Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2010; 58(8): 463-467
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1250184
Original Cardiovascular/Society Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Heparin-induced Thrombocytopenia Type II after Cardiac Surgery: Predictors and Outcome[*]

A. Assmann1 , U. Boeken1 , P. Feindt1 , P. Schurr1 , P. Akhyari1 , A. Lichtenberg1
  • 1Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, University Hospital, Düsseldorf, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received March 4, 2010

Publication Date:
25 November 2010 (online)

Abstract

Background: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a serious complication after cardiac surgery. The aim of the present study was to identify pre- and intraoperative predictors for the postoperative occurrence of HIT. The study additionally focused on the impact of HIT on postoperative outcome. Methods: Retrospective analysis was performed for 5073 patients who had required extracorporeal circulation during cardiac surgery. Patients were divided into 3 groups: 1) patients who had postoperative HIT (HIT+); 2) patients with postoperative thrombocytopenia but without HIT (HIT−); and 3) patients with normal platelet count (C). The groups were statistically compared with regard to pre-, intra- and postoperative parameters. Results: Statistically significant predictors were renal insufficiency, intravenous application of heparin for more than 3 days, previous percutaneous coronary intervention within the last 4 weeks, urgency/emergency operation, combined surgery, prolonged extracorporeal circulation or cross-clamping time, and low cardiac output syndrome. Postoperative HIT was associated with an enhanced risk of renal failure, infectious and thromboembolic complications and in-hospital mortality. Conclusion: Postoperative HIT increases morbidity and mortality. The predictors presented in this study can be used to identify patients at risk of developing HIT.

1 The content of this paper was presented at the 39th annual meeting of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Stuttgart, February 2010.

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1 The content of this paper was presented at the 39th annual meeting of the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Stuttgart, February 2010.

Prof. Dr. Udo Boeken

Department of Cardiovascular Surgery
University Hospital

Moorenstraße 5

40225 Düsseldorf

Germany

Phone: +49 21 18 11 83 31

Fax: +49 21 18 11 83 33

Email: boeken@uni-duesseldorf.de

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