The incidence and clinical features of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is an important adverse reaction of heparin therapy that can have catastrophic consequences if overlooked or misdiagnosed. Treatment with either unfractionated heparin (UFH) or low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) can trigger this complication. Orthopedic, cardiac, and vascular surgery patients exposed to prophylactic or therapeutic doses of heparin are at particular risk. Awareness of the clinical features and different presentations of HIT are essential for preventing severe morbidity and mortality associated with this disease.