This is a prospective study to evaluate the incidence of Heparin induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) with its complications in-patients treated with intermittent intravenous heparin therapy. The study was done in al salam General Hospital in Mosul from 1/2/2022 to 31/8/2022.
Two hundred patients were treated with heparin sodium of porcine gut origin (Heparin Leo) in doses of (20,000 – 30,000 unit/day) by intermittent I.V. route for 4-10 days.
Platelet count was measured within 24 hours of the initiation of heparin therapy then on days 2, 4, 7, 11 and 14 thereafter with more frequent checking in those who developed significant reduction in platelet count.
HIT is divided into two types: HIT1 in which thrombocytopenia developed in the first four days of heparin therapy. (12) Cases (6%) were discovered, thrombocytopenia was mild-moderate in severity and no complications were observed and heparin therapy continued, and HIT2 in which thrombocytopenia developed after the 4th day of initiation of heparin therapy, (4) cases (2%) were observed with more severe form of thrombocytopenia and no thrombotic complications were observed.