HIV infection increases the risk of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia.

The incidence of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected inpatients was compared with that in a control group that was not known to be infected with HIV in a retrospective cohort study. HIV-infected patients receiving heparin therapy, especially unfractionated heparin therapy, were at increased risk of developing heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, compared with HIV-uninfected patients.