Abstract
Cutaneous reactions to subcutaneous heparin injections have been described first in 1952. These reactions may be caused by several mechanisms such as immediate or delayed-type hypersensitivity responses, or by lifethreatening immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT). In contrast to bleeding, induction of osteoporosis and hair loss, no data on the incidence and causes of heparin-induced skin lesions had been available until recently. In a large prospective epidemiological study, the incidence of heparin-induced skin lesions was as high as 7.5% in medical patients, far exceeding the expected incidence. As heparin-induced skin lesions may be the sole clinical manifestation of immune HIT, rapid and valid diagnosis of heparin-induced skin lesions is of utmost clinical importance. Therefore, we have reviewed all known causes of heparin-induced skin lesions, and propose diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.
Original language | English |
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Journal | Phlebologie |
Volume | 39 |
Issue number | 1 |
Pages (from-to) | 5-11 |
Number of pages | 7 |
ISSN | 0939-978X |
Publication status | Published - 26.02.2010 |