Heparins syndrome

Hemorrhage is the main complication that can arise from heparin therapy. Other side effects include Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (HITS), local irritation, hypersensitivity reactions and with long-term use, alopecia, hypoaldoster-onism, and osteoporosis. 

Formulate a monitoring plan for a patient with ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome receiving fibrinolytics, aspirin, unfractionated heparin, intravenous nitroglycerin, intravenous (3-blockers followed by oral P-blockers, an angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor, and a statin. 

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia A clinical syndrome of IgG antibody production against the heparin-platelet factor 4 complex occurring in approximately 1% to 5% of patients exposed to either heparin or low-molecular-weight heparin. Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia results in excess production of thrombin, platelet aggregation, and thrombocytopenia (due to platelet clumping), often leading to venous and arterial thrombosis, amputation of extremities, and death. 

A specific immunoassay for measuring two-chain factor VIIa levels in plasma has been developed to identify activation of factor VII in patients with acute coronary syndromes suchs as myocardial infarction and unstable angina (12). Because regulation of factor VIIa is believed to be mediated by tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), its measurement is also useful in assessing thombotic and cardio-vasular disorders. Because TFPI is released by heparin, its measurement is also useful in assessing the efficacy of heparin and endothelial cell function (93). 

White clot syndrome - Rarely, patients may develop new thrombus formation in association with thrombocytopenia resulting from irreversible aggregation of platelets induced by heparin, the so-called white clot syndrome. The process may lead to severe thromboembolic complications. Monitor platelet counts before and during therapy. If significant thrombocytopenia occurs, immediately... 

Initial dosage in HIT or heparin-induced thrombocytopenia and thrombosis syndrome (HITTS) Before administering argatroban, discontinue heparin therapy and obtain a baseline activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT). The recommended initial dose of argatroban for adults without hepatic impairment is 2 mcg/kg/min administered as a continuous infusion (see table). 

Drug therapy of acute coronary syndromes including unstable angina and non-Q-wave myocardial infarction includes use of aspirin, heparin and anti-ischaemic drugs and is similar in older patients to other age groups. Activation of platelet thromboxane production in the coronary circulation has been demonstrated in unstable angina. The risk of myocardial infarction or death is reduced by approximately 50% by early aspirin therapy in recommended doses of 160-325 mg per day and continued... 

Acute coronary syndrome IV Bolus, IV Infusion 180 mcg/kg bolus then 2 mcg/kg/min until discharge or coronary artery bypass graft, up to 72 hr. Maximum 15 mg/h. Concurrent aspirin and heparin therapy is recommended. 

Randomized comparison of direct thrombin inhibition versus heparin in conjunction with fibrinolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction results from the GUSTO-lib Trial. Global Use of Strategies to Open Occluded Coronary Arteries in Acute Coronary Syndromes (GUSTO-lib) Investigators. J Am Coll Cardiol, 1998.31(7) 1493-8. 

When given rapidly, protamine causes hypotension due to a decrease in vascular resistance, possibly linked to the release of nitric oxide from endothelium. Flypotension can be minimised by slow administration over 10-15 minutes. Protamine does not affect myocardial contractility. In some patients, systemic hypotension occurs in conjunction with pulmonary hypertension and, in severe cases, right ventricular failure. The mechanism is activation of the complement pathways by the heparin-protamine complex leading to release of thromboxane A2, which mediates pulmonary vasoconstriction. Unlike in anaphylaxis, plasma histamine concentrations are not increased. When this syndrome develops protamine administration should be stopped, and some have recommended giving heparin in an attempt to reduce the size of the heparin-protamine complex. 

Korkmaz ME. Low-molecular-weight heparins in acute coronary syndromes. Curr Vase Pharmacol. 2003 1 259-271. 

Prophylactic enoxaparin is given subcutaneously in a dosage of 30 mg twice daily or 40 mg once daily. Full-dose enoxaparin therapy is 1 mg/kg subcutaneously every 12 hours. This corresponds to a therapeutic anti-factor Xa level of 0.5—1 unit/mL. Selected patients may be treated with enoxaparin 1.5 mg/kg once a day, with a target anti-Xa level of 1.5 units/mL. The prophylactic dose of dalteparin is 5000 units subcutaneously once a day therapeutic dosing is 200 units/kg once a day for venous disease or 120 units/kg every 12 hours for acute coronary syndrome. The use of LMW heparins is discouraged or contraindicated in patients with renal insufficiency or body weight greater than 150 kg. 

Cohen M. Initial experience with the low-molecular-weight heparin, enoxaparin, in combination with the platelet glycoprotein llb/llla blocker, tirofiban, in patients with non-ST segment elevation acute coronary syndromes, J Invasive Cardiol 2000 I2(suppl E) E5-E9 discussion E25-E28,... 

Blazing MA, de Lemos JA, White HD, et al., for the A to Z Investigators, Safety and efficacy of enoxaparin vs unfractionated heparin in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes who receive tirofiban and aspirin A randomized controlled trial. JAMA 2004 292 55-64,... 

Low molecular weight heparin in percutaneous coronary intervention for acute coronary syndrome... 

Cohen M, Theroux P Borzak S, et al. Randomized double-blind safety study of enoxaparin versus unfractionated heparin in patients with non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes treated with tirofiban and aspirin the ACUTE II study, The antithrombotic combination using tirofiban and enoxaparin, Am Heart J 2002 144 470-477. 

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