Authors' objectives:

This aim of this report was to assess the comparative incidence of HITS with heparin (unfractionated) and low molecular weight heparin.

Authors' recommendations: - Eight studies were identified which assessed thrombocytopenia or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia syndrome (HITS) in general surgery patients, orthopaedic surgery patients or cardiac surgery patients - Six studies showed that the incidence of thrombocytopenia or HITS was lower in patients who received low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) compared to patients who received unfractionated heparin (UFH), regardless of type of surgery - Only three studies confirmed the diagnosis of HITS by means of the presence of heparin-dependent antibodies - Methodological limitations and small sample sizes of many of the studies identified limit the ability to determine the true incidence of HITS and time of onset - Further research, examining HITS as a primary outcome, is required to elucidate the incidence of HITS with the use of unfractionated or low molecular weight heparin for the prophylaxis of venous thromboembolism

Authors' methods: Review

Project Status: Completed

URL for project: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/healthservices/cce/evidence/

Year Published: 2002

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: Australia

Organisation Name: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness

Contact Address: Monash Institute of Health Services Research, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Locked Bag 29, Clayton, Victoria 3168, Australia. Tel: +61 3 9594 7505; Fax: +61 3 9594 7552.

Contact Name: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Contact Email: cce@med.monash.edu.au.

Copyright: Centre for Clinical Effectiveness (CCE)