Diagnosis and Management of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is a rare, iatrogenic disease characterised by its potential severity, mainly related to thrombosis, and by difficulties regarding its diagnosis and management of affected patients. In 2002, a conference of experts mobilised by the French Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine (Société française d’anesthésie et de réanimation [SFAR]) drafted recommendations for the management of HIT. Since then, the drugs available to treat patients have evolved: lepirudin has disappeared, the prescription of fondaparinux and direct oral anticoagulants has increased, and finally the biological tests required for diagnosis are more effective.